Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Young.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Heather. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up, I struggled in almost every subject in school except for Art class. That was the only class I looked forward to and was really the only class I ever had an “A” in. I didn’t necessarily know that I wanted to do hair, but I knew I loved to draw. I loved to create, and I loved change. When I graduated high school, I knew that I wanted to do something to apply those skills, but I then realized, in the hair industry you can do that and also make people feel beautiful. It’s truly is such a gift. There’s constant change, and the trends change so it’s forever an evolving industry which is what inspired me to join the hair industry.
When I went to hair school, I was going to school from 8-4, 5days a week. Then when I got off, I would Bartend from 5:30-2 am. Sleep repeat. It all paid off when I graduated and got my first real salon job at a commission salon in Fort Worth. Apprenticing and learning about my craft. 6 months into my career, I auditioned for the Sebastian urban team. I was stoked to have made it on my first audition, knowing if I didn’t make it I was going to keep auditioning until I did. They took me under there wing and trained me to be an educator. To travel and teach the way of Sebastian Professional. Cutting classes, styling classes, product classes, I could do it.
It’s a culture, and it so surreal. I did that while working in the salon when I was home. Working to build a clientele, and advance in salon techniques. I met a very empowering group of stylists, and we all came together to work for a salon named Panther City salon. You couldn’t replicate the talented group of artists that made this salon. We were IT. About three years in I resigned from the Sebastian team because my clientele grew immensely. I chose to dedicate more of my time to my clients to accommodate more people. Our group of stylists all grew up, and grew in different directions, which leads me to my next endeavor; Novak Studios. This is the next part of my journey, and I won’t stop here! Watch me grow!
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?
Not necessarily smooth, but no major setbacks. But I will say I’ve been extremely fortunate. I’ve met some of the right people, and just kind of was guided in the right direction. The biggest thing in our industry is to stay motivated and inspired. You’re responsible to keep yourself going. You CANNOT be taught passion, only skill.
Heather Lankford-Young – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a licensed hairdresser of now seven years. I’m 27 years old. I don’t think that there are any special services I’m known for. I have such a wide variety of clientele. I love to hand paint, I love to do appearance changing haircuts, I love texture, and I love updos! If there’s something for people to know me by, I would hope that it would be versatility.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment so far in my career, would have to be, seeing the stylists that I mentor become successful. And I say that in a humble way, because I did not create them, I did not teach them passion, I taught them skill. They stayed passionate to make it. They’ve made it. And only the strong, talented artists in our industry make it. So I’m proud to say that I’ve mentored some strong, talented artists.
Contact Info:
- Address: 250 W Lancaster Ave #10 Fort Worth, TX. 76102
- Phone: 8174873859
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @_thehairbomber_
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/heather.p.lankford
Image Credit:
Mackenzie Blood
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