Today we’d like to introduce you to Drea Russolillo.
Hi Drea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey as a hairdresser and business owner is unique, and my family background is important to how I ended up here. My father was a hairdresser that immigrated to the US from Italy in the 1980’s. He met my mother, an executive for an advertising agency, living in Texas. Between my mother’s professional experience and his creative skills they opened a premier hair salon in Dallas. Our house became a revolving door of Italian hairdressers coming into the country and starting their life here. The salon was incredibly successful. I was sweeping hair for tips by eight years old and working the front desk by thirteen. It absolutely defined my adolescence. My parents later divorced, and the salon was sold -but I continued to work in salons through my teenage years. When I was sixteen I told my mom I wanted to be a hairdresser. She looked at me sternly and said – “You’re going to college and if you still want to be a hairdresser, I will support your efforts 100%”. Fast forward to my early 20’s I graduated from UT Dallas with a degree in Economics and started working for a Real Estate investment firm. I poured my life into the career wanting to do the right thing – become wealthy and successful. Within three years I was working directly for the executive level of the company managing acquisitions and a team of 14 employees. I always maintained an incredibly unique personal style and edge that wasn’t always met with open arms in the corporate world. The job was draining, and they took advantage of my inexperience and willingness to please. Not understanding the experience at the time, I frequently encountered bullying, gender discrimination, and sexual harassment. After seven years the company was purchased by a multinational and I was laid off. I quickly found another position in a similar company and that company went under months later.
Within the course of a year, I lost two jobs, went through a divorce, and my father passed away. I spiraled, I lost everything, and I moved to Austin to start over. That is when I went back to what I knew – the Salon industry. I took a job at a salon working reception and eventually moved into management. It was during that time I decided to go back to school to become a stylist. I made it through a difficult year of cosmetology school and I felt relieved and excited to start my new career. I had a plan, I got on the floor, momentum was building and then in March of 2020… Coronavirus shut us down. In May of 2020, the owners decided to move on from the industry and closed the salon. It was devastating, scary, and traumatic for everyone. I did not know where I was going to end up, even if I would still be a hairdresser.
Thankfully, I quickly connected with other stylists at the salon and started planning for the future. I was honored when Shawna Parvin a 20+ year veteran hairstylist and educator decided to take a risk with me. We found a boutique salon space downtown Austin that was in need of a new vision and rehab. We signed the lease on June 10th and opened the salon on July 10th. It was complete madness – but we did it! Here we are nine months later, I have a steady book and a unique and intuitive style of haircutting focusing on effortless styles, shag haircuts, and curly hair. I am so grateful for my education and corporate experience that allowed me to understand the business side of opening the salon. We are a team of four stylists that complement each other’s talents perfectly. Each of us has grown so much through this experience, and I am honored to work with this group of strong and talented women. While the journey was winding and sometimes unpredictable, I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’m not sure any of us have a smooth road. My biggest challenge has always been a battle with my own self confidence. Women talk about “imposter syndrome” frequently – it’s defined as doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud. It’s usually reinforced when others question your competence, contributions or leadership style. For too long I allowed labels like “bossy” or “aggressive” define me. It held me back from effective decision making. I am not completely “healed” but I am definitely more confident every day. Part of this healing has been being able to accept the accolades instead of refuting them, thinking they were not true or deserved. Opening MOTIVE Hair Group was a huge accomplishment that reinforced confidence in my ability to persevere and to make it work. Those ill feelings sometimes start creeping into my head, but I’m doing much better at recognizing them, saying “Hello,” and telling them to politely leave. 🙂
As you know, we’re big fans of MOTIVE Hair Group. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
MOTIVE Hair Group was established in July of 2020 by myself and business partner Shawna Parvin. The newly renovated hair salon is located in a historic building within Downtown Austin just south of the UT Campus. We’ve designed an intimate and boutique creative space hosting four salon chairs. We provide haircutting and coloring services to all genders. Each one of our four stylists brings with them a wealth of experience and specializes in different creative techniques and services, we offer everything from precision cutting, impeccable bobs and pixies, razor cuts and shags, natural balayage and highlighting to vivid colors like pink and green! We use and carry the highest quality products and color from sustainable brands such as Davines Italy, Hairstory and May 11 Hair Oil. MOTIVE believes that hair is an identifier, and it expresses our spirit, our diversity, and our interests. It makes a statement about us as individuals. Our stylists deliver individualized, personal hair services to infuse confidence, to excite, and to support our client’s personal vision. Everyone is welcome at MOTIVE.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
To book an appointment visit the Contact Us Page of our website www.motivehairgroup.com!
Contact Info:
- Email: drea@motivehairgroup.com
- Website: www.motivehairgroup.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/drethings
Image Credits
Drea Russolillo
