Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Spriggs.
Amber, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, I was always the girl who had a different hair cut/color every time you saw me. I would wake up and decide I was bored with my hair, then spend hours doing ‘kitchen hair’. I had no idea what I was doing at the time, but I loved it and I would even say it was therapeutic to me. Like most, I tried the college route but after a few years, I decided it wasn’t for me. In 2013 I ended up working in the veterinary field. I loved being surrounded by animals but I felt like I was missing something still. With the help of my manager who moved around my hours and the support of my family, I started my journey with hair in 2015 at the Aveda Institute in Dallas. It was one of the hardest years of my life, but also the most important one. I went to school three days a week and worked the remaining four days. I was exhausted, but I learned the fundamentals of cosmetology and finally felt like I was on the right path.
After I graduated, I got hired on at an Aveda Salon in Dallas. I spent a little over a year as an apprentice and learned so much from all the talented stylists there. Finally, all the hard work had paid off and I started taking clients. Little did I know I was about to go on another adventure. I met an amazing man and ended up moving to Arlington. It only took a few months of driving back and forth in Dallas traffic to decide to look for a salon in Fort Worth. I was recommended to check out a chair rental salon, which is very different from the commission salon that I came from. After taking a tour of the salon and talking with some of the stylists there, I quickly fell in love with the idea of having my own business.
At this point, I had been working in the Vet field still, and at the salon. I knew that doing both wouldn’t be possible anymore. I discussed the option of being self-employed and leaving the veterinary field with someone I looked up to and was told that I would fail. That if I did not go to a commission salon in Ft. Worth that I would quickly end up working back in the vet field. Now, I am a Capricorn, and if know Capricorns you know that you never tell us we can’t do something. We will prove you wrong.
I left both my jobs and started at Panther City Salon. Here I met so many wonderful stylists and a lot of us were in the same boat of going from hourly/commission to self-employed. It’s a whole new playing field and we all learned from each other and grew quickly as a stylist. I had also discovered the power of Instagram which helped build my clientele, along with referrals.
At the start of 2020, I was given the opportunity to lease at Novak Hair Studios and share a room with two successful stylists, and I took it! I have never been happier and felt more fulfilled in my life. Novak is a salon that cares very much for the environment and wants to create a sustainable future. So I now get to be my own boss, create beautiful hair, and help save the world! I can say I have finally found my home as a stylist. I’m still in the early stages of my career and I am excited for what the future holds. I can say now looking back that I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and to always trust in God.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been smooth sailing, but no story really ever is for most. I pushed my body emotionally and physically for many years, working multiple jobs to pay bills and for school. For a while there, I would work nights at the ER, which was an emotional job in itself with a lot of sad situations. Then the next morning, I would work at the salon, which was on the other end of the spectrum. My emotions were everywhere. I had to come to terms with as much as I loved my job at the ER; it was hurting my career as a stylist. I am grateful that I had many people who cheered me on and supported my decision.
Please tell us about DFWHairWizard.
I specialize in balayages and blonding. I’m currently working on adding extensions to that list. I am always trying to better myself as a stylist and as a person. I’m proud of how far I’ve come personally and professionally. Most people wake up every day dreading going to work, I don’t. I love my career. I love making women feel beautiful and creating a positive impact on their life. You never know what someone has going on at home and our appointment could be just a few hours they needed to escape and relax. There is no shortage of amazing stylists around here. It’s the experience during the appointment that makes them a loyal client. I would say what sets myself apart is I like to educate my clients. I want you to be able to take a little of that self-care home and apply it in your routine. Showing you during our appointment the small things like how to properly take care of your naturally curly hair, or how to get those perfect beachy waves. My goal is for you to leave my chair not only with amazing hair but also with the knowledge of how to care for it.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Honestly looking back, I wouldn’t change anything because it’s all led me to where I am now.
Contact Info:
- Address: Novak Hair Studios
250 W Lancaster Ave #110, Fort Worth, TX 76102 - Website: www.dfwhairwizard.com
- Phone: 9723665333
- Email: dfwhairwizard@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dfwhairwizard
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/DFWHairWizard
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/amber-spriggs-fort-worth
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