Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Gutierrez.
Hi Ashley , 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 became licensed as a hairstylist in 2011. I have worked in salons on and off since then, but began working as an American Sign Language Interpreter, and later a Marketing copy and content writer for companies like Gartner and CNN Underscored Money.
Always working on my craft as a haircutting specialist, I didn’t expect I would be back in the salon as my experience with working in salons had been that they were mostly not inclusive and often unhealthy environments. However, that changed for me when I got a haircut at Strange Bird Salon in Austin, and I just knew in my gut something was different. I reached out to the owner and wanted to find out how such a salon existed, and was successful when offering only haircuts, in a way that was affirming care for those who came through the doors. As a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling grad student, the idea that I could use my skills as a cutting specialist in this way was inspiring. Stars aligned, and I left marketing to begin honing my craft, and providing haircuts to the local Austin community with Strange Bird Salon. I provide services in English and in American Sign Language, so that anyone who sits in my chair can communicate fully about what they would like to get from the services they receive.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My career trajectory has never been what I would consider linear. I have had plenty of twists and turns, but I believe I would not be who I am fully, as a person or as a creative without the life experiences I have had. I don’t say that lightly because it was hard, and I made a lot of choices that made my road harder, but I also wouldn’t be as resilient, or connected to myself without those experiences.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a cutting specialist located at Strange Bird Salon in Austin, Texas. I specialize in bespoke, collaborative haircuts of all types, and believe that there’s magic that happens when someone gets a haircut that makes them feel truly like their complete, authentic self. I am probably most known for providing haircutting services in English and American Sign Language (ASL), and connecting with the humans who are in my chair in a way that (hopefully) makes them feel comfortable, and cared for in a way that they may not have experienced in previous salon settings. I am most proud of my ability to communicate in English and ASL so my clients never feel like they have to choose between an amazing haircut and being able to communicate in their own language. I think what sets me apart from others is that I take my continuing education in different haircutting and styling techniques very seriously, and I am not afraid to keep learning even after all these years working in the industry.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think that luck is really just opportunity that the universe was kind enough to not let pass you by when you were distracted. I was a single mom from the age of 20, so I have spent a lot of my life trying my best to keep my family afloat. I think luck has come to me and I was brave (or just a gutsy enough) to walk through the open doors and into the opportunities even when I wasn’t 100% confident or “ready”. Beyond that though I think it’s essential to realize that the people and relationships around me have all played a huge part in my success. I have had access to jobs and opportunities because of relationships I have built, and also because of relationships I have ended or moved away from throughout my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozycutsatx/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleygutierrezatx/
- Other: https://book.squareup.com/appointments/qjayyaqbggv10e/location/LXZK5N1D0M3SW/services
Image Credits
Ryan Gutierrez
