Today we’d like to introduce you to Riley Bell.
Hi Riley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From a very young age, I have had a passion for all things beauty. My mom has always been my biggest inspiration. She has been licensed for 32 years, so I technically grew up in the break room of a hair salon. I can remember begging to help fold towels, sweep up hair, and watch all of the ladies. Hair has always interested me. I knew by the age of eight this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
During high school, I was the friend that people would come to for game day braids and formal hair/makeup. I often got told by my teachers “this is not a beauty parlor”.
I decided to take my dreams and make them into a reality. I started cosmetology school three months after I finished high school. It was extremely challenging, but I knew exactly what I wanted. My days often looked like; seven hours at school, and straight to work to serve tables for eight more hours. It was the most challenging, but rewarding period of my life.
After graduating, I landed a position at The Beehive Salon in Murfreesboro. I knew from the start I wanted to avoid working in a commission salon at all costs.
The Beehive is a booth rental salon in a great spot of town with lots of opportunities.
I spent the first year of my career in this salon. On days that I had nothing booked, I would still come into work to be there incase of any walk-ins or phone calls. I very quickly was able to build my clientele up. This salon definitely helped form me into the stylist I am today.
After a year, and alot of thoughts, tears and prayers, I decided to pack up my things and try out a personal salon suite.
This was an extremely hard decision to make, but I had always dreamed of having my own space. I jumped over a city, to a place I had no clientele from, and a salon who doesn’t advertise walk-ins. Something in my heart told me this was the right move for me.
Graciously, my whole clientele followed me and supported me every step of the way. I have built a portion of clientele from this city. When I was afraid I wouldn’t make it, God provided.
I have now been in this space for almost one year and I could not feel more grateful.
I am not done, I have so many hopes and dreams that I pray to fulfill one day. My mom has always told me “The sky is the limit” which has kept me going.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not, I have faced so many challenges. I am thankful for each and every challenge— it has shaped me into the stylist and business owner I am today.
Stepping into the world of self-employment has been a learning lesson in itself. The fear of not getting a paycheck, the fear of losing everything I have, and the weight of knowing my livelihood depended on this—it was terrifying at first. There’s no safety net when you’re building something on your own, and that pressure can feel paralyzing. But it’s also been one of the most empowering experiences of my life. Every challenge forced me to grow in ways I never expected, to trust my instincts, and to believe in the value of what I bring to the table. What once felt like fear slowly turned into motivation, and that’s what keeps me pushing forward even when doubt creeps in.
My biggest struggle as a hairstylist has been learning how to set aside my own emotions when life feels heavy. Clients come to me not only for their hair, but for a positive, uplifting experience—and some days that can be hard when I’m carrying my own struggles. I’ve had to find ways to show up fully for them while still giving myself permission to process what I’m going through outside of the chair. It’s a balance I’m still working on, but it’s teaching me resilience and reminding me how much strength there is in empathy.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work centers around hair color, with
blonding being my true specialty. I love creating everything from soft, dimensional blondes, to high-impact transformations.
Color has always been my passion because it allows me to bring out my own creativity. I get to customize every formula to fit the features and lifestyles of my clients.
What I am most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. They know I’ll listen, tailor their color, and make sure they leave feeling confident and beautiful. I think what sets me apart is that I don’t see blonding or coloring as a one size fits all service—it’s a craft, and it’s about bringing out the best version of each person who sits in my chair.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is patience with myself, with the process, and with the people who sit in my chair. When I first started, I thought success would come quickly if I just worked hard enough, but I’ve realized this career is about growth over time. Every client, every mistake, every formula that doesn’t turn out exactly how I pictured has taught me something valuable. I’ve learned that building confidence takes consistency, and building trust takes genuine care. The beauty industry moves fast, but mastering it requires slowing down, staying teachable, and never losing the passion that made me want to do hair in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/hairbyrileybell
- Instagram: @Hairbyrileybell
