Today we’d like to introduce you to Skyler Strong.
Hi Skyler, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
The only reason I am a hairdresser today is that I was a severe procrastinator in high school. I don’t even think my mom knows this about me, but this is why my career went in the direction it did; I failed ever to take my SAT/ACT exams. That’s a whole story, but because I failed to take them, I started to freak out and googled what schools you can attend without having those scores: Bingo, cosmetology school.
So, I moved to Dallas, TX. I Started cosmo school at Toni&Guy, and while I loved the school, I equally did not love Dallas. So I moved to Austin. I transferred all my hours to Paul Mitchell, but not before getting pregnant and married. It wasn’t my best decision, but hey, life happens. After enrolling, withdrawing, and eventually re-enrolling again (again, life happens), I could graduate from my ten-month program. Four years later.
At this point in my life, I had a small child, was unhappily married, and struggled to survive with my sanity intact. My career was put on hold. Fast forward to six years later; I was now happily divorced, my son was older and in grade school, I had a nice steady bar gig, a wonderful live-in boyfriend, and even with covid in full force, things were a lot easier. I decided to apply for a part-time job at Scissors and Scotch, where I could bartend, get my cosmetology license, and eventually work out of a chair under the same roof. I had to self-teach the new cosmetology state exam ( the entire exam changed over my brief hiatus). After almost stressing myself into an anxiety attack, I passed on my first try. I received my license and never looked back. I was instantly hired, which motivated me to get the ball rolling on my career again.
I own my business and rent a salon suite just north of downtown, The Emerald Goddess. I worked at scissors for about a year until I felt confident with my men’s cuts. I then moved into an apprenticeship under the owner at Jose Luis. I decided not to spend the two-plus years there to finish the course as I felt I needed to receive more education, and I was more than knowledgeable and capable of what tasks I was given. I then decided to take my online classes and received certifications for balayage and extensions.
My goal is to own a large salon where I plan to offer booth rentals for other like-minded stylists. I love what I do. I love to learn and grow continually, and I love being able to create while boosting my client’s confidence in themselves. I am only getting started and am very excited to see what is coming.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest obstacle was graduating from school and obtaining my license. I procrastinated for so long that I felt it would never happen. Once I did receive my license, I just ran with it. I made up for a lost time. I was able to open my suite just shortly after a year of having my license. When I first opened my suite, I had many doubts about my skill level—second guessing myself, overthinking, and overstressing. While my work now is better than a year ago, my work still wasn’t bad back then. Eventually, all the classes, and the little mistakes, and aha! Moments seem to fall in place, and you realize you’ve got it down. It’s no longer a serious thought process on a daily, you show up to work, and it comes easily; your work looks great, and there is way less stress and self-doubt. That is when you know you made it through.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Firstly I am a colorist at heart. I specialize in Balayage and lived-in color. However, I love working with vivids as well. I also offer a variety of extension services such as; Tape-in, fusion, and sew-in. I have quite a few male clients who see me for cuts. I offer scissor cuts as well as fades. I am not a barber, so my work is less detailed than the typical “barber style.” What sets me apart, just from personal interactions with my clients and their feedback, is that I educate my clients, and I like to be very thorough in all aspects. From at-home care to what drink options I have for them while they are in my chair. Hair is expensive, and it is a luxury service. I want my clients to feel pampered and relaxed. I want them to feel special, like I genuinely care about them, not just their hair or money. I have worked hard to become as knowledgeable as I am, and my work reflects that. Finding a stylist who does a great job on your hair is fine, but everything else about the experience is terrible. I want every single thing that I do to stand out.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I am a very detailed person, probably because I’m an over-thinker. I think about every single thing and how I can make it better. I’m constantly upgrading my life and everything around me. I have also brought that into my work ethic, and it shows. Every time a client returns, they sit down, look around, and go, “oh, thats new.” Not only does it make you feel good, but it also shows your clients that you are constantly evolving for the better. In return, that means their hair will look better every time and keeps them returning.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theemeraldgoddess.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/emeraldgoddesssalon
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/emeraldgoddesssalon
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-emerald-goddess-austin
