Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Simmons.
Hi Anthony, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My journey started my senior year of high school. I had been interested in beauty and fashion my whole life but, being detrimentally indecisive, I didn’t want to commit myself or my parent’s money to something I could potentially lose interest in. I was under a lot of pressure to make a decision and stick with it. I knew that beauty school was only a year or so long commitment and I’d come out of it with a skill that could always be utilized if all else failed. Plus, it could end up opening doors to do a lot of the other things I was interested in, so I dove right in. From there, I had a mission to rid myself of the anxiety that came along with doing services I felt I absolutely sucked at. I went off and snagged industry jobs that focused on these services and these services alone. I knew that if I could feel even half the confidence, I felt with the services I excelled at, I’d have it made. I went on to work at a full-service salon and I really got to spread my wings, flex my skills, and pick up even more. The only issue was that I still felt like my wings weren’t able to spread enough.
Onto of being detrimentally indecisive, I’m also ridiculously rebellious. I didn’t (and still don’t) want to be stuck in box with restrictive dress code rules, a limited product, and color supply due to corporate sponsorships, and an inability to do what I knew was best for a client versus what the company would allow. I sell the idea of free self-expression and being unapologetically yourself, so this was extremely limiting in my eyes.
After we were finally allowed to return to work post-quarantine, I packed up all my tools and I set out to open my suite where I can provide my clients with hair care that is truly custom to them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a rollercoaster for sure. Being that I came into this industry, barely even 18 years old, I had (and still probably do) a lot of maturing to do. My career growth has been slowed by relationship drama, disorganization, crippling anxiety, and just straight-up not knowing any better. But, with the help of therapy, an abundance of love and support from family, friends, and mentors, trial and error, and a lot of introspection, no hill is too steep to climb.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Vivid hair color is where I feel my creativity is at its full potential, so it’s definitely my favorite to do. However, what I really specialize in is helping people actualize their ideal self. I often hear “I wanna go blonde/red/purple but I don’t think I can pull it off” or ” I can’t get away with it at work” or “my hair just doesn’t do that” and I pride myself on being able to change a lot of peoples thinking towards themselves and these situations. There’s a million shades of blonde or red out there and one of em is bound to work for you, we can mute the vivid color you want into something subtle and passable, or we can hide it in an accent highlight or even get you some clip-in extensions.
I believe there are dozens, if not more, ways to conquer just about anything. It’s all about finding what is right for you and achieving it in the healthiest way possible.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Everything is growing more and more expensive, and the industry impression is being nudged more and more into the luxury category daily. Subscription-based services are also on the rise. I definitely see the accessibility gap being bridged with a platform for industry professionals to host classes and tutorials specifically for the consumer. Sure, there are lots of people making DIY tutorials all over the place, and some are really helpful, but it’s a lot of work trying to find all the right information in the same place. I’ve seen tons of viral videos that have left people bald or fried, that end up having to be debunked by a professional eventually. Everyone has hair and everyone deserves to know how to care for theirs properly. There will definitely be some things that will be left up to the professionals, but we do have a tendency to gatekeep certain things in the name of industry preservation that just aren’t necessary anymore.
Pricing:
- Color $85/hr
- Haircuts $45+
- Blowouts $50+
- Treatments $15+
Contact Info:
- Website: Aunthoneydoeshair.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aunthoney.doeshair/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AunthoneyDoesHairr
- Other: https://g.page/r/CRuMeVp4qOK8EAg/review
Image Credits
Darren Roberts
Anthony Simmons
