Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Fowler.
Hi Kristen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was 12 years old, I already knew what I wanted to do with my life. As I looked at the mannequin head sitting under the Christmas tree in 2013, I was forever latched onto the idea of doing hair. I opened my business, Hairstyles By Kristen, when I was just 19 years old and simultaneously began my undergrad studies at the University of North Texas. I then kick-started the journey of balancing my schoolwork, social life, and business, all the while learning how to perfect my craft. I connected with a piece of myself that I always knew was there, and that work ethic drove me to success, failure, and insanity all wrapped up in a fiery passion for the beauty industry. There is no feeling quite like that first glimpse. That first turn of the chair when a client gets to meet a version of themselves that they have never seen. A version that has been there all along. I see being a hairstylist as a form of bridging the gap, taking my client’s hand and introducing them to a new side of themselves. In the salon chair, we share pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow. I often glance back in my mind’s eye to that 12-year-old girl, and find myself thanking her for giving me this wonderful passion for bridging the gap.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Anyone who has had a dream of starting a business has at some point been introduced to failure. I aim to welcome failure along the way as an opportunity to grow and discover a new path. Within the circus of college stress, I sat right in the middle, juggling social media, business marketing, numerous client inquiries, that Economics test on Friday, my roommate’s birthday, and my brother’s football game. I welcomed the insanity because it was proof I was doing it. Working with people on such an individual level certainly invites criticism, and when running a small business, the disapproval feels quite personal. Hair is subjective, individual, and almost never copy-and-paste. Social media invites everyone to grab the microphone and tell their experiences, both good and bad. Handling negative feedback is a muscle that I have had to tirelessly work on over the years, massaging away at my self-doubt so I can approach the new day with a fresh mindset.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known for providing blended and beautiful lived-in hair to those in North Texas seeking a safe place to dump their thoughts and feelings. Working in Denton, Texas, attracted a unique age group to my salon chair: college-aged girls. I was a part of my own business demographic, giving me access to a deeper level of connection and understanding with each and every one of my clients. That demographic soon grew to include young and old as well; however, my desire to find commonality with every individual never wavered. I specialize in low-maintenance color, a perfect concept for a college town of slightly broke students with shallow wallets and big dreams. DFW is a beast in the hairdressing industry, promising a luxury that most salons’ prices certainly reflect. I, however, enjoy getting my hands dirty, working late hours, and having a raw, personal connection with my girls. I would be lying if I said there was a certain color, cut, or style that I am most proud of. My pride lies with my clients. Witnessing them getting into law school, being proposed to, finally getting that job promotion, dealing with grief, and moving forward one step at a time into the new and unknown. If my services can give them a glimpse into the power, strength, and beauty I see in every single one of them, I will have done my job.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My biggest inspiration has always been my parents and my partner, Aidan. I would not have been set up in such a way to start my own business at such a young age without their constant and unwavering encouragement. From helping me with my first LLC, offering financial support, and being the shoulder to cry on when it felt like I wasn’t cut out for it, my family is the common denominator in my success. I can only hope to give off a mere spark of the roaring flame of light they have been in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hairbyk-104468.square.site/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hairstylesbykristen
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-fowler21
Image Credits
Kristen Fowler
