Rising Stars: Meet Kayla Kiser

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Kiser. 

Hi Kayla, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had an interest in doing hair. In high school, I would do all of my girlfriend’s hair for prom and homecoming, and my best friend and I were always coloring our hair in my parents’ bathroom (which my father was always complaining about). Two of my good friends both worked at salons in high school as shampoo girls and they always told me I was a natural at it. But after high school, I decided I wanted to go to college to be the first in my family to graduate with a college degree. I attended Penn State University for two years and studied nutrition, which I discover very quickly was not my passion. I was paying for college myself so I decided to take some time off to decide what I really wanted to do with my life. When I moved back home, I reconnected with those two friends and they still were telling me the same thing. So, I looked into going to cosmetology school and decided to do it. I had to pay for my school so I worked at Outback Steakhouse most nights after class and on the weekends. I realized that I doing hair came naturally to me, but cosmetology school was not what they make it out to be in the movies. So, I would go days and nights just to get my hours done as quickly as possible just so I could get out of there and start working at a salon. After I graduated, I landed an apprenticeship with a woman who owned a boutique salon in Maryland and who also was a Chemistry and Composition educator for a very well-known color company. I was so fortunate to have met her because in hair school I always wanted to know why hair color worked the way it worked but no one could ever tell me the why and the how. I apprenticed under her for about two years and got to have so many experiences like working on fashion shows and photoshoots, but I knew in order for me to grow as a stylist and build a clientele I needed to move to a larger salon. So, I reconnected with my friend yet again and joined her at her salon, which happened to be a flagship salon of one of my hair idols Nick Arrojo. There I had the opportunity to keep continuing by education by attending classes and events in New York at his salons and really starting growling my skills. After about 6 years working there, I was ready to move on and out of state to explore a new city and to help me grow personally. So, I moved to Nashville where I was really wanting to try get into the film industry, which luckily enough I met my boyfriend who is a camera assistant and he introduced me to some people and I’ve gotten to work on a few tv shows and movies. I worked at a fantastic salon in Germantown for 4 years since I moved here but am always wanting more so I decided it was time to go out on my own and booth rent. Which led me to the salon I’m at today The Beauty Parlour in East Nashville. I’ve always wanted to be my own boss and be able to have a flexible schedule and now I do just that. Plus working in the Fatherland District in the heart of East Nashville is a dream come true. Being able to express my creativity and make people feel good about themselves all while being surrounded by a loving and supportive community is why I wanted to be a hairstylist. Hairstylists play such an important role in peoples’ lives I am endlessly grateful for my talent and where it has led me today. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Some days it’s extremely difficult to have the motivation to be positive and to make your clients feel happy and welcome. But I have gotten to the point where I have a solid base of clients who I see on a regular basis and we all are almost like friends so that makes it that much more fulfilling and enjoyable. You always have to be 100% and give 100% to each and every client and sometimes you just can’t physically and mentally do that. But that’s when you have to take it upon yourself to take those personal days or take a Saturday off even though it’s your busiest day. In my opinion, it’s better to take those days for yourself so you can consistently create an environment where your clients feel welcomed and can relax rather than rushing or overbooking yourself just to make money. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a hairstylist. I specialize in color and extensions. I am most proud of myself for pushing myself to become the best hairstylist I can be through continuing my education and surrounding myself with creative and talented stylists who all support and are rooting for each other to succeed. I think what sets me apart from others is that I take the time to get to know my clients on a personal level and make sure that every time they sit in my chair, they feel relaxed and comfortable. 

What were you like growing up?
Growing up I played soccer and that was kind of my life. There is a photo of my grandpa putting rollers in my hair so I guess I was always interested in doing hair. And I always remember going to the hair salon with my mom and grandma and feeling very mesmerized by everything that was going on around me. 

Contact Info:

• Email: Hairbykaylanicole@gmail.com
• Website: KaylaKiser.GlossGenius.com
• Instagram: @hairbykaylanicole
• Other: Thebeautyparlournashville.com