Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Gurley.
Kayla, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I knew since I was a little girl that when I grew up I wanted to do hair. I knew that I wanted to do something where I could be creative, not be at a desk, use my hands, and be able to interact with people everyday. As I grew up, that never changed. I went to Cosmetology at TONI&GUY where I got opportunities to work in photoshoot, runway shows, events, as well as learned to be a well-rounded hairstylist.
I then moved to College Station Texas and got a job at the number one salon there.
I really learned there how to run a business and found how to best serve my guests. It was the best first job I could have asked for. After a couple of years, I knew in my heart it was time to go home. I had learned so much and I was ready for what was next. Little did I know that meant stepping out from under my safety net and start working for myself. I was EXTREMELY hesitant to this because I like to know where my money is coming from and when. Moving out on my own meant I would lose my security and stability. But I knew that to fully live out my purpose in life I was going to have to take that step. Alongside being a hairstylist, I have worked in Anti-Human Trafficking since I was 18. Moving out on my own meant I was finally going to have the flexibility to do both. With my mother running a non-profit, I was able to finally fulfill both of my passions! Hair, and helping those who others see as used up and forgotten. I was able to bring my two worlds together by, doing hair and makeup for events and galas as well as doing haircuts for the women who had stepped out and been freeded from trafficking. As well as had more time to volunteer.
Owning my own business, I am now able to create the atmosphere for my guests, as well as meeting them right where they are and have a moment to pour into their lives while making them feel beautiful.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Something that I have realized is, if you are on the path you are supposed to be on and moving forward, that road is never going to be smooth.
It was rough FROM THE BEGINING! Even in hair school, I wanted to quit. My life was falling apart and I really felt like I had to step up in my family and let’s be real… Hair school is hard! You have to learn to make your hands move in ways that are very unnatural, and you have to be able to do it without thinking. But my mother was my biggest supporter and really pushed me to finish. Which haha I did! But that time really prepared me for what was ahead. Being a hairstylist you have to be willing to put whatever is going on in your life aside and be there for the person that is sitting in your chair. Steel Magnolias said it best! “I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere will my ability to do good hair.”
That rings true to any entrepreneur. It is you and at most times only you, and we have to be ready to put almost everything aside for our business. Some days it is hard to get up because you just worked 12 hours the day before and you weren’t even at home as long as you worked. But when I see the smile on my guest face when they see their hair, or I am able to sit and talk with someone about what is going on at home, or when I see that large coffee my guest brought me cause she knows I am a much happier person when I am fully caffeinated, it makes it all worth it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
I have a Suite and I love that I have been able to create a place for my guests to be able to relax, feel comfortable, and at peace. While building their confidence and teaching them how to feel the same from their home as they do leaving the salon.
I am a fully service stylist, meaning I do it all. From cuts and colors to extensions and events. I specialize in blonding and all of the different techniques that go along with blondes. From starting with a trip to Las Vegas for training and a few blonde guests, it became what I was known for, without even trying. What I have been able to pride myself on is keeping the integrity in what I do. Sometimes it is so easy to get lost in the money and time that we forget that we are handling people. And dealing with something that, especially a woman, is so important. Let’s be real ladies… If we are having a bad hair day, it’s a bad day! I have always strived to keep my guests informed about what we are doing and why. As well as keeping their hair healthy and beautiful.
I have really worked to educate my guest. From product knowledge to how to get that beautiful beachy wave look we all love. I have really formed a relationship with every one of my guest, I have been at weddings and birthdays. I want my guests to feel like they are valuable and appreciated.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Family has been something I have really lucked out on. Even my little brother is supportive of me! When everything was falling apart(which has happened more than once) my family has always been there to help me up. In life and business. My family is ALL entrepreneurs. My father runs his own business, My mother runs a non-profit, and even my brother at 19 works in marketing and social media and he is crazy good at it! A lot of parents think that college is the only option, I was blessed with parents that always told me no matter what it was I wanted to do that I was going to be successful.
Even those times when I felt very unlucky, for instance, those weeks when I couldn’t make ends meet or EVERY guest had to cancel or reschedule that week, or let’s be real the days when I have been so mentally and physically drained I don’t want to move. That when, even though it’s hard. I have had to remind myself that luck or not I am in control of my own life, and I will figure out how to make it work.
Pricing:
- Haircuts: $45.00
- Color: starting $65.00
- Full Highlights: starting $85.00
- Partial Highlights: starting $75.00
- Pure Brazilian Express: $75.00
- Pure Brazilian: $200.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 9139 Boulevard 26 #580, North Richland Hills, TX 76180
- Website: https://square.site/book/G60YRR7S7GQKN
- Phone: 8179256889
- Email: mckaylagurley@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayla_thehairstylist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehairstylist.kayla/
Image Credit:
Lumi Studios – Chase Showen
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