Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Davis.
Amy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After college, like most people I was working in an office job that wasn’t super fulfilling. While I enjoyed the human interaction aspect, I didn’t feel that I was contributing anything meaningful to society. I wanted to do something more creative, something that I felt would have an impact. I toyed with the idea of going to hair school, and to my surprise, many of my friends and family said they felt like it would be a perfect fit. I was always the one blow drying my friend’s hair and doing their makeup.
After a lot of research, I decided to attend The Paul Mitchell School of Hair Design. It took a lot of effort to complete the hours while maintaining a job, but it was worthwhile! After graduation, I worked in a high-end Dallas based salon for over ten years, where I learned a lot, made a lot of great relationships (including meeting my husband through a coworker!) and was able to attend international events to continue my education. After having my second child, I decided I needed to have a more flexible schedule and became independent, joining salon 5014. This new endeavor allowed me to make my own schedule while still servicing the needs of my clients – some of whom have followed me since day 1!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course, starting in a new career is scary – and starting in a new salon is like starting a new business. SO much to learn! And the business aspect can be a challenge – I can be the best at mixing color, doing client consults, etc – but I still have to work out taxes, inventory, scheduling, etc. There is a lot of “back office” behind it that most people don’t see. And there are some personal things that happen in your life that may make it hard to see people. In some jobs, you can show up at work and just close the door if you’re having a rough day. But this job requires you to be front and center, constant facetime.
One of my biggest struggles throughout the years in this career has been taking three maternity leaves so I can be home with the baby. Normally scheduling clients every 6 to 8 weeks when you were gone for ten it can be tricky. So getting back on track a routine with your clients has been a challenge. But it always works out.
Sometimes you may not be ready to share your life and the same for clients. They tell you about the divorce they’re going through, or the family member they recently lost. There is a very personal aspect to this job that I don’t think a lot of people realize when they get into it. Sure, it’s long hours, it’s standing on your feet – but sometimes it’s harder on your heart than on your body. Still, I don’t think I would trade it for anything else!
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
When I was at the corporate salon, I was forced to choose between cut and color – some salons stylists do both. I feel like I was really able to excel at this point because I was able to specialize in what I felt was my strongest talent. I really enjoy the mixture of art as well as chemistry and science involved in determining how best to take my clients from where they are today to what their vision is. And perhaps the most fun is when they don’t have a clear vision, and I help guide them. There are a lot of jokes about a hairstylist being more like a therapist, but it’s somewhat true. I love that I can help make someone feel more confident by enhancing their natural beauty. If we tell each other things we don’t even tell our besties at that time, well that’s just a bonus.
When it comes to a specialty, I would have to say I’m known for the perfect “Dallas Blonde” – not that I don’t have clients who prefer brown or red. But somehow I spend the majority of my time calculating that perfect blonde that is not too brassy, not too ashy – and my clients let me know that’s a hard thing to find apparently.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
“I am so grateful for this amazing career, as I now have three children (and a French bulldog!) and will thankfully never miss a school function or being available for an impromptu trip to our lake house because my schedule allows me to serve both my clients and my family while fulfilling my need to be creative and a working mom.”
Contact Info:
- Address: 5014 miller ave.
Dallas, TX 75206 - Website: Www.salon5014.com
- Phone: 214-823-3600
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @amydallashair
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