Meet Kayti Hall-Stokes of Bellevue

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayti Hall-Stokes.

Hi Kayti , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I knew I had a passion for cutting hair since I was about 16. But life pulled me towards bartending as I could be very loud and show my big personality AND make money (bonus points haha) So I stuck with that industry for nearly 20 years. However in 2019 I did complete cosmetology school “to have in my back pocket” type of talent. It wasn’t until moving to Nashville to be with my husband, & discovering just how overpriced this industry had become, that I discovered I could provide these services for women (and men) at an affordable rate and get to follow my true passion.

I bought a stylist chair, a nail desk, some products and of course a neon sign to complete my salon in 2023…but it wasn’t until Feb 2024, following a major surgery that kept me from going back to bartending for many weeks, when I truly started pursuing and promoting my business. Thanks to multiple girls groups on facebook, self promotion and just “word of mouth” situations my business EXPLODED and I was able to go full time only 3 months after really getting my start.

I hustled, worked long hours, studied my craft, and learned all the important details needed to own a small business all on my own. My focus went from cutting hair to doing nails VERY quickly and that was something I was not prepared for…but I was happy to pivot and learn a new craft.

A little over a year later I have found exactly what I was put on earth to do. And that is to be able to tap into my artistic abilities, holding space for women everyday, run a successful small business, and LOVE MY JOB!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have been SO lucky in the sense that this truly has been a “smooth road” for me. Things took of quickly, I learned what I needed to know to be successful, and I think I’m fair to my clients…and I think that’s a perfect cocktail for a small business

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a hair cutter & nail artist. I specialize in men and women’s haircuts, dip powder manicures, structure gel manicures, pedicures and nail art. I am most known for my affordable and fair prices and my attention to detail. I am most proud of being a life long bartender who knew NOTHING about running a business, nor ever wanted to & now I have a full book of returning clients and a very successful little salon. I think what sets me apart from others is my big personality, my attention to detail, my passion for my craft, my ability to make a new client feel like my best friend before the appointment even ends, & most importantly I have Oscar, my 13 year old Australian Terrier who greets you at the front door for every appointment you have with me 🙂

What’s next?
My future plans currently are to just keep doing what I’m doing. I have no desire to run a salon with other employees. I fully enjoy doing this all by myself. I have never been so at peace in my life, as I have been since I started my business…so I think the best thing for me to do, is to do what I’m doing.

Pricing:

• – dip powder & structured gel manicures $55
• – gel pedicures $65
• – women’s haircuts $50
• – men’s haircuts $45

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kayticutsandmore.as.me/schedule/abd0cff7
• Instagram: @kaytis.cuts.and.claws
• Facebook: @Kayti’s Cuts and Claws
• Other: TikTok www.tiktok.com/@kayticutsandmore