Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Allen.
Hi Kate, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thank you so much for having me! A few years into being a hairdresser, I learned about hair discrimination from a client. She was super hesitant for me to work on her Z Pattern curls. After a brief conversation and her deciding to try me out for a silk press, she told me her story. I was heartbroken to learn about how hard her journey had been going to salons for years and being treated like her (and her texture) didn’t matter. And then I met another client with a similar story, and then another… Women from all different backgrounds being treated unfairly in the industry I loved so much. It made me sick. From that point on, I knew I wanted to change the beauty industry into a place where people are not just treated equally but honored and valued for their differences.
I grew up in the northwest and didn’t experience a lot of diversity. But when I turned 18 and left, I was lucky to live in many different places and meet lots of great people. As a stylist, I committed to learning all textures quickly and after meeting that particular client, I dove even deeper. I became an educator for Kevin Murphy and traveled across the country getting the best training, started writing a column for HelloGiggles to share advice, and eventually moved into a leadership position with milk + honey in Austin, TX. I was their first education and training manager and my first mission was to add textured mannequins and training to the apprentice program. Then, to make sure all stylists and concierge were trained in verbiage and technique. I now lead my own education company doing the same!
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?
I’ve struggled getting stylists and brands on board. And I get that! There is a lot of fear when it comes to this topic. I, myself, stayed very quiet in a public setting and only worked on addressing this in the salons I worked in because I was afraid to be judged. There is fear of opening up a hard conversation, fear of saying the wrong thing, fear of messing up someone’s hair… But failure is a part of success and I try to coach salons and stylists to lean into it with grace. There is a racist history of casting textured hair out of most salons and it’s not okay to not do better. As professionals in this industry, we have to take the lead.
I’m encouraged by things like the Crown Act and Louisiana recently making textured hair training mandatory. But in salons and on the ground, we still have a lot of obstacles to push through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I’m known for is coming from an inspiring and positive place in my coaching and training. I’ve always believed as an educator, I’m not just helping others become better hairdressers. I’m helping them become better humans and that requires an honest look at our subconscious biases, how we deal with stress and taking accountability for the energy we put in the world. Not just how to do a great haircut.
I like to teach on manifestation and the law of attraction as well. The first apprentice program I led at milk + honey, I had them do a vision board on the first day to focus on manifesting a lucrative and successful experience. That first group ended up getting me published in a magazine because the ROI on their program was so high. All five of them are still killing it and not just in the salon… they’ve achieved lots of dreams in life and become more of the women they want to be. I’m super proud of them and all the apprentices and stylists I’ve worked with.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
That I’m quite introverted! On the Myers-Briggs test, I’m literally 51% extroverted and 49% introverted! Lol
Getting alone time is crucial for my mental health and being quietly in nature is usually how I recharge. Most of my weekends are spent in my jammies snuggling my pets and watching girly movies or reading.
Pricing:
- $100: One hour digital coaching session
- $30: The Textbook (a digital workbook to learn about all textures)
- $1000-2500: In person salon training
Contact Info:
- Email: Kate@knowalltexturesequally.com
- Website: www.knowalltexturesequally.com
- Instagram: hairtexturetraining
Image Credits:
The picture where I’m sitting on a pink stool with a black background: the photographer is Amy Wolf. Her IG is: wolfacrosstexas
