Today we’d like to introduce you to Dustin Dillard.
Hi Dustin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in West Texas and currently call Dallas home. After high school, I moved to College Station and received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Texas A&M.
After college, I landed a gig in corporate retail.
After 10+ years in the corporate landscape, it was time for a change.
I decided to ditch the button-ups, pleats, and spreadsheets to dive into the hair world.
I went to cosmetology school at the Aveda Institute in Houston.
I quickly moved back to Dallas and completed a hair salon apprenticeship.
Thrilled to say that I now call myself boss and run my own business in the design district of Dallas.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s risky to redirect careers in your mid-30s, especially after logging so many hours in a specific industry. However, I am quite fortunate to have my partner, friends, family, chosen family, and professional peers that have been very encouraging and supportive in the process.
My partner is my biggest cheerleader, and I knew I needed to change my career path for my own well-being.
I’ve heard from many people that it was “brave” or “courageous” to make the jump. That’s funny to me because, at the time, it felt reckless and scary.
But my Virgo instincts, coupled with a sound support system and encouragement from my tribe – well, here we are.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I prefer to refer to my craft as a hair artist. I specialize in hair sculpting and paint. Sculpting is my way of describing haircutting. I am passionate about sculpting personalized cuts to the individual by following their natural hair patterns, unique texture or curl so they get a style and look that works with their personal brand.
Same with paint – I provide customized color based on the individual. I thrive on natural, lived-in looks that play on subtlety, low maintenance, effortless grow-out, and lower frequency of visits. The bulk of my clientele are busy urban professionals, so time matters. I offer sculpted cuts to men, women, children, and gender-free.
I think what helps set me apart from a lot of my peers is also something I take immense pride in – my authenticity.
At the end of the day, I’m behind the chair to make money – but I’m not going to simply take it from the person in my chair without conversations. I’m not afraid to say no. That surprises people.
I am here to safely walk people down a healthy hair journey with honesty, integrity, and creativity.
I provide a comfortable experience with collaborative dialogue and realism.
Sometimes, you have to tell people no – healthy hair demands it. I want you to love your hair, not tolerate it.
What’s next?
I’m still new in the industry. I’ve been fortunate to have such a good run in what may be considered a short time by most. Currently, I’m where I want to be – running my own business at my own pace in a cool environment surrounded by so many other talented artists.
Potential plans for the future would include possibly opening my own salon space to grow my brand and assemble a line-up of talent that embodies my outlook, ambition, and passion.
It would be satisfying to cultivate an environment that can thrive on collaboration, teamwork, mentoring, education, and artistry to give back to the industry. I want to encourage hair artists to support and root for other hair artists.
I would also be over the moon thrilled to create my own hair care line. One day…
Contact Info:
- Website: www.urbanshears.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/urbanshears
Image Credits
Dustin Dillard
