Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Cochran
Hi Sophia, 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?
I’ve always had a passion for hair, the moment I got my hands on box-dye from the drug store it was end-game. Throughout middle school and high school I was always changing my hair and I ran into issues at times with school dress codes, dance team dress codes, and eventually work dress codes which prevented me from having “fun” colored hair. It always made me feel outcasted. After I graduated high school, I had not applied to any colleges for various reasons, mostly because I knew I didn’t want to keep going to traditional school. I took a gap year and worked at a salon as a receptionist, and how that salon didn’t completely deter me from being in the industry is a damn miracle. But it also showed me how much I wanted to be in this industry and wanted to make a positive impact.
I started Cosmetology school in August of 2022 at Toni & Guy Academy in Plano, it was a wild experience though I met my now best friend Savannah and a couple amazing instructors, Lisa and Cierra. They really pushed me to get through school and pass my tests so I could get my license. I completed 1000 hours by early April 2023 and got my license in June of 2023.
I started out at a commission-based salon in Oak Cliff and fell in love with gender-neutral cuts, razor cuts and holistic hair. I learned a lot at that salon, however the commute got to be too much so I moved to a booth-rent salon in Frisco. I learned a lot about how to run my own business there and how to do it on my own and within about 5 or 6 months I opened my suite in June of 2024.
My suite has allowed me to provide my clientele a safe space, some of which are vulnerable and some just prefer a private, quiet space to get their hair done. I am able to use the holistic products I love, do all my recycling to help save the planet and be 100% authentically me. Which gives my clients more space to express themselves and feel comfortable in a hairstylists chair, even after some not-so-great experiences.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting my business hasn’t been the smoothest road, but I think that comes with the territory and is important for a successful business owner.
Personally, some things I’ve struggled with is simply how to run a business. As I mentioned before I didn’t continue traditional education after high school so I don’t have a business degree, I’d never taken any courses and they don’t teach you that in grade school or cosmetology school. I also didn’t know very many people who’d done it, especially with a similar background as me. Growing my network and meeting amazing friends and mentors like Lisa Giles, Michelle Zabatta, and many more has taught me so much about how to run a business and how to get on the road to success.
Another thing I struggled with is my business model or values, my business is a gender-neutral, inclusive business. Being in the area I’m in, it can be hard to be in a salon setting as not everyone is inclusive in the way I am. It made me uncomfortable and I eventually started to get feedback that my clients were uncomfortable, and I ended up having to make a quick move for the safety of my clients and for my business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Hair by Sophia James is all about inclusivity and sustainability, I’m known for my low-tox products and practices as well as gender-affirming services. I’m partnered with Strands for Trans, Everywhere is Queer and Hair Has No Gender to help more queer and trans people find an affirming stylist. I would say 90% of my clientele is either trans or gay, this really sets me apart, because Texas, and especially Dallas is known for their blondes. Everyone around me does blondes, and I’ll do them occasionally for very specific people, but it’s not my jam. I’d much rather be creating some unconventionally placed vivid colored hair with a super layered razor cut or even a 12-hour color correction.
As a green specialist, prioritizing minimizing waste and promoting an eco-conscious approach is imperative. My commitment to sustainability is evident in partnerships with the Green Beauty Community and Holistic Hair Tribe. With approximately 95% of our services focused on sustainability. I use Saloncycle powered by Terracycle to recycle hair clippings, foils, gloves, extra hair dye/lightener and much more, reducing waste going to our landfills.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
A chunk of my business decisions are made with my heart over my mind, I’ve always been a super sympathetic person. Sometimes to a fault, however I’ve learned to delegate it in positive ways. I care a lot for every single person who lands in my chair, I want every single person to feel comfortable being themselves, comfortable asking for the hair they want and I believe that’s part of what keeps clients coming back to me.
Part of being an affirming stylist for me is providing affirming resources of all kinds for those clients. I keep stacks of business cards for queer businesses and direct clients to Everywhere is Queer which is a platform with a map of queer-owned businesses. I also am currently doing anything in my power to connect vulnerable clients with resources to help them relocate out of Texas, if need be with everything going on in our world currently.
Pricing:
- $85/hour for all services
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mysite.vagaro.com/hairbysophiajames
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbysophiajames/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092441071600
Image Credits
Photos By Adeline
