Today we’d like to introduce you to Beau Bollinger.
Beau, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was oddly obsessed with hair, specifically styling and playing with color of my own hair at a very young age. Some of my most fond memories as a child were going with my mom to the salon. Our stylist, and the owner of the salon, Lisa, had a huge impact on my interest in the hair industry. She was loving, attentive, and for the time you spent in her chair, she made you feel like the center of the universe.
My Mother always knew I was going to do hair and encouraged me to do so while in high school. I was reluctant, and the cultural pressures of being a young guy in south Texas pushed me away from doing so. I wanted to go to college like all the other kids and study Science like my brilliant father. It wasn’t until we moved to Michigan that I realized I hated college and with the encouragement of a young lady (that I had a crush on and was in beauty school) I started my journey in the hair biz.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’ve always struggled with using the word art to describe my work. I work on humans and my canvas changes daily as it grows and lives. It requires a relationship and understanding of that human to allow the haircut/style to best represent them. I often see hairdressers cut/color/style hair with the purpose of creating art and it lacks the human element. It becomes about the hairdresser and not the person wearing the hair.
I’m inspired by my clients, their stories, who they are. The best compliment I’ve ever received was, “I feel more like myself with this haircut than ever before. I never realized that a haircut could reflect my inner-self.” That experience is the art. The Human element and the impact that hair can have on someone every day.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
I don’t believe there is a right or wrong when it comes to defining success. Success is defined by the individual. Some want more money, some want status, some want to sell their first painting, have a fully booked day, have more time for family, etc… I believe that there are two broad categories that factor into success. Skills and Behavior. Skills are acquired through repetition and time (practice). One cannot look at another who has been practicing for years and expect to immediately have that skill set. Skills cannot be hurried. Even those who are naturally gifted, even the greatest still practice relentlessly. However, the one area that can be expedited at any given point in a career, even in the beginning, is behavior. Behavior is defined as anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation. When one shows up on time, looks the part, says yes, outworks colleagues, stays late, gets in early, and does it with a positive attitude, that person is beginning to create their own success.
Also, don’t be an asshole. It seems simple, but small bits of success inflate egos pretty quickly. There is no room for ego in the long game. Empower others with your success.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can see my work walking the streets of Dallas every day. Moms, editors, baristas, CEO’s, models, creative directors, fellow hairdressers, men, women, kids, I love it all. My Instagram is basically my portfolio. Support me by booking an appointment with me or one of my badass fellow hairdressers at Hairstory Studio Dallas. You can also swing in the studio and give me a high five.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1906 N Henderson Ave
- Website: hairstorydallas.com
- Email: dallas@hairstory.com
- Instagram: @beaubollinger
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beaubollingerhairdressing/
Image Credit:
All images are shot by myself except for my portrait shot by Bliss Katherine
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