Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Heinrikson.
Alex, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m not the typical stylist who always knew she wanted to be a stylist. I’d always wanted to do it but thought I HAD to go to college. After a failed attempt at going away to college, coming home, taking some courses at a local college, and falling pregnant at 21, my family encouraged me to finally do something that would allow me to use my creativity, passion for all things beauty, and desire to love my career… cosmetology. At 24, as a single mom to a three-year-old, I began my journey at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture in Highland Indiana. I’d worked as a Paraprofessional in a severe special needs room since January 2014.
When I started school, I was still working there Monday-Friday until about 4 pm, then had school 5-10 pm. My mom watched my son most nights for me when his dad didn’t. I definitely owe a lot of my success in general to my mom and dad for how they raised me, as well as my grandparents. I am very fortunate that I had the help, support and love that I did (and still do). I also owe a lot of my success to two other people, one of which is my partner, who I met soon after starting cosmetology school. He was always there to push me to go to class even when I didn’t want to, build me up when I was feeling down, and give me some self-confidence when I needed it most.
The second person is my mentor Lauren, who I met when a coworker suggested I apprentice under her hairstylist who was looking for an assistant. Lauren and I hit it off immediately and even became friends. In fact, we joke we are two halves of the same brain. She has a passion for the science behind hair, continued education, and maintaining the integrity of her client’s hair which has all been passed on to me. She also knows the business side of her industry and has taught me more than cosmetology school ever did. She’s amazing at hair and has since opened her own salon in northwest Indiana called Aura Beauty. This is absolutely my dream place of work, however, my boyfriend moved to Texas for his job and I decided to move with him which is what brought me to Texas this past April.
Has it been a smooth road?
Looking back it doesn’t seem hard, because I did it, but at the time it was a challenge. While in school I moved into an apartment with my son. Some days I had to choose between going to class and working a second job, or just taking the night off to snuggle my toddler that I missed so much. I often felt like I was failing as a mother even though I knew I was doing something that would benefit both of us in the future. This resulted in me being told I may not be able to finish my hours and graduate.
However, I’ve always been motivated to accomplish things others deem impossible because I know what I’m calling able of. I made up hours on Saturdays and graduated pretty close to on time. I’d definitely say the “mom guilt” was the hardest part of my journey, as well as balancing work, school, and motherhood. Some days I felt like a complete bad-a** and others I felt totally inadequate and like a failure. I felt so behind everyone else and would get mad at myself, but I had to remember everyone’s journey is different, mine isn’t bad, and I need to love myself the most. Moving to a new state has its own challenges with rebuilding a clientele while not knowing anyone. I’m so thankful to all of my old clients and especially new for trusting me with their hair!
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
When I moved to Texas, I had about five salons on my list, and Prolifik salon was one of them. When I interviewed with the owner, I decided this was the salon I wanted to be at. We use Kevin Murphy’s color and styling products. Kevin Murphy is cruelty-free, ammonia and PPD free, and leaping bunny certified “skincare for your hair” with the goal of minimizing our environmental footprint and leaving Mother Earth better off for the next generation; including pulling a projected 360 tons of plastic from the oceans each year to recycle into 100% ocean waste plastic containers. We are also a green circle salon and recycle everything from containers to hair to hair color! We’re actually in the process of re-vamping our salon and we’re all loving the new look. We really care about the client’s experience and making everyone feel special and comfortable.
I personally specialize in color, and natural lived-in hair is my favorite. Lauren taught me her signature foilayage technique and it’s my go-to for a lot of clients who want that balayage, lived-in look with maximum brightness and a seamless blend. I really love to cater to my clients and give them their goal Pinterest Hair with education and realistic expectations of the process to get there as well as what’s required to keep it at home. It’s always amazing to see someone’s face light up when they have a whole new look they’re excited about. I also love to surround myself with stylists that help one another and build each other up, because collaboration wins over competition every time and benefits our industry. We all started somewhere! Eventually, I would absolutely love to be freelance and possibly even own my own salon!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I was definitely apprehensive about living in Texas in general, but I’m loving Fort Worth! I’m not sure if it’s the people we attract or the area itself, but everyone has been so welcoming and helpful. Downtown Fort Worth is also so much more clean than Chicago and I love that you can just hop on a highway and get to where you need to be so quickly!
There are so many things to do and the hospitality is amazing, not to mention Texas is beautiful. My boyfriend’s boss has a horse ranch which is where we keep our mare, who is expecting this summer. We also have Modena pigeons in a loft in our backyard. It’s my boyfriend’s hobby that has now become our family hobby, and our son absolutely loves helping with the pigeons! We are actually attending the Nationals at the end of January and we’re very excited! We also have a beautiful Presa Canario puppy who is the perfect addition to our family. Texas is the perfect place for us to nurture our love for animals!
Contact Info:
- Address: 8901 Tehama Ridge Parkway, Suite 123
Fort Worth TX, 76177 - Website: Prolifiksalon.com
- Phone: 817-502-9777
- Email: thehairpainter@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hairbyalexrose
- Facebook: Facebook.com/alexrosehair
Image Credit:
KayWarner.com
Alex Heinrikson
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