Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Pecylak.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m originally from Rochester, NY. I actually just celebrated 8 years in Texas. I have been a cosmetologist since 2009. I actually grew up competitive dancing and was sure up until 11th grade that I was going to continue on to college for dance. One day, it clicked; I decided as much as I loved dancing, I just couldn’t see a future doing it. I had always had a passion for hairstyling & coloring. As a very young teen, I remember box coloring my hair with my friends MULTIPLE times a year (yikes, I know) In 11th grade, my mother told me that she would pay for me to get my hair professionally colored if I never put box color on it ever again :p which, in hindsight, was the best thing she ever could’ve done because I was probably on my way to ruining my hair. Once I sat in my hairstylist chair my mind really got racing. I would ask her all the questions on what it took to get to where she was today and why she loved what she did… I really look forward to every single appointment I had with her, the relationship that I had made with my hairstylist was an unbreakable bond that’s for sure. Fast forward to conversations with my parents. I decided I wanted to go to cosmetology school after high school. My parents graciously supported me, and I attended Shear Ego International School of Hair Design. I went full-time Monday to Friday, 9 to 4, and then worked my Dunkin’ Donuts job in the evening. Upon finishing 1000 hours under NYS law accepted my first job at Shear Ego Salon in Pittsford, NY. Where I continued my training as an assistant to the owner’s son and then graduated to take my own clients for the next seven years. My life, however, brought me to Texas in 2016, allowing me to start all over from scratch. At that point, I’d been doing hair for so long that I was starting to feel burnt out. I was very thankful to be as busy as I was at my old salon, but at such a young age, I was unsure of what the future look like in my career. The move to Dallas was one of the best things I ever could’ve done; I started over at a hair salon in Uptown, Dallas. Dear Clark Hair Studio. Throughout my experience in Dallas, I was lucky enough to be lead educator at my hair salon and continuing my studies in New York City at the Goldwell Academy. I have completed Goldwells Master Colorist Programs & still continue to use their color line (since 2008). After making a name for myself in Dallas and meeting my now husband (he was the push I needed to believe in myself), I decided to go off on my own and start my own salon suite, that’s where Artistry by Kristen was born. Being your own boss is always very scary, but I wanted to be in control of my own schedule, have more flexibility, and be able to do the services that I really excel in while giving my clients the best possible experiences. I only take a certain amount of clients a day so that each person gets my personal attention, and the quality time they deserve.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not!!! But nothing good ever comes easy, right?!? I will say starting from scratch in Dallas was not easy… I had found a lot of New York personalities to be a lot different from the Dallas personalities. I was so used to my New York clients just allowing me to do whatever I thought was best for them, and when I got to Dallas, I had to earn that respect through all of my new relationships. It wasn’t an easy, it required a lot of patience, but I but I have built some of the best relationships with my Dallas clients and I have to consider some of them family.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My brand is literally me, just Kristen showing off her artistic abilities daily:p I clients know I love to chitchat, whether it be something about either one of our lives or something that’s on the next reality show that I’m watching.
I strive to provide top-notch services to my clients. I prioritize creating a fun and relaxing atmosphere for my clients. I always like to stress that my chair is a safe space & judgment-free zone. I am always here to listen to the goods and the bads.
I will say the one thing I most proud of is being a Goldwell colorist. I’ve been using the colorline since 2008 and have never looked back. I’ve continued on with their education and became a Master Colorist Designer. I’ve been to their Toronto Academy, their New York City Academy, and their Santa Monica Academy when it was around. Goldwell has literally opened my eyes to so many opportunities.
As far as what I specialize in, I do cut hair; however, my passion truly lies in coloring. You’ll see me doing anything from vivid hair coloring to a redhead, to a dimensional brunette, and even your Dallas blonde. I don’t want to say that I specialize in one certain thing because I definitely do not, but I absolutely do love when my clients allow me to have creative control.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/us04/artistrybykristen
- Instagram: @hairbykristenrothfuss
Image Credits
Chey Dawn
