Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Barney.
Hi Kay, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was that kid that cut all her Barbies’ hair and everyone in my coloring books had highlights and lowlights.
I moved from Wisconsin in 2011 to go to hair school. I never took my ACTs or SATs because I knew cosmetology school didn’t care- hair was always the plan. I moved with what I could fit into my car, thankfully had family to stay with and never looked back! I can honestly say I’ve been living out my childhood dream for over a decade and I love it.
I worked for a family-owned salon for six years before I decided to go out on my own in 2019- it was a wild ride considering a year later the COVID shut down happened and turned a lot of things upside down. Being my own boss has been one of the most fulfilling and challenging things I’ve ever done, and I’ve learned so so much.
In 2021, I started educating for Oligo Professional and that’s added an element of excitement I didn’t know I was searching for. Being in an industry that thrives on collaboration and relationships is probably one of the greatest gifts this career has given me. There’s a sense of community in helping others that I love, whether it’s nailing the color my client’s been wanting or seeing that “a-ha” lightbulb moment for another stylist in one of my classes- I truly couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing worth doing comes easy, right?
Unfortunately, I think there’s a HUGE gap missing from cosmetology school it’s the business side of things. I started taking classes in 2016 when I learned how clueless about things hair school left me and I learned so much that I think could have given me a leg up from the start.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen such a huge shift in the world when it comes to things like social media, how to market- really how to stay relevant. I think that challenge in itself is ongoing and it’s something we all strive to keep up with. It can be so fun, but it can also be exhausting trying to show up as our authentic selves while still trying to showcase beautiful work.
I also spent most of 2025 dealing with cervical cancer. I have an amazing support group of my husband, family and friends- and my clients were nothing short of amazing when it came to schedule changes and taking time off. Coming out of that at the end of this year has been a challenge in and of itself, but I’m really looking forward to the future and what the next chapter of my story looks like.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Behind the chair, my goal is always to create a customizable look for guests to help fit their lifestyle- not work against it. I pride myself on lived in color that clients can wear for extended time and not feel tethered to upkeep. Whether someone’s looking to enhance their natural color, add in brightness or pops of color or just feel a little more fresh, it all comes down to my guest’s needs and wants.
I’m also a huge advocate of scalp and hair health! You can have the most gorgeous hair color, but it doesn’t matter if your hair isn’t healthy so educating my guests on how to maintain a healthy routine at home that makes sense for them is one of my favorite things to do.
I think getting an opportunity to educate has been one of my biggest accomplishments- as someone who’s had amazing mentors in my career, getting to be that for others is really a surreal experience that I love.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
My report cards definitely read “distracting to others” even though I was a great student! I think that’s really common with our industry- I couldn’t imagine working a desk job now and apparently, I couldn’t when I was younger either.
I went through a pretty heavy goth phase, but also played the flute, varsity tennis and was on the dance team? So we’ll chalk it up to a dynamic personality. Even in my 30’s, I’m still toting the line between being an “elder emo” and a business professional and I’m here for it! I think my parents finally realize it wasn’t just a phase.
I was also playing hairstylist far before hair school- mixing box dyes together to “customize” friends chunky 2006 highlights, cutting emo bangs in the bathroom during lunch and clipping in pink extensions for all the dancers before the games for spirit week.
Pricing:
- Textured Haircuts $80+
- Lived In Color $250+
- Traditional Highlights $200+
- Scalp Treatments $40+
- Grey Blending $200+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kaybarneyhair.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaycolorshair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaycolorshairFW
- Other: https://share.google/v1VEuySF2Tu63hNBd
