Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Watters.
Kayla, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Becoming a hairstylist was never in my initial life plans, but let’s be real when exactly does life pan out the way we expect it to? For the longest time, I wanted to become an Orchestra conductor and write music for movies. When I was in high school, I was very involved. I had this drive to prove to everyone I deserved to be in the top band. I may not have been the best solo player, but I had the brains to understand music at a high level. I know around junior year, I wanted to attend The University of Houston for Music Education. I was always told if I ever wanted to get a great job after college, I needed to have the “pedigree” to show for it. So I got in. I loved learning music theory and overall progressively getting better at understanding music. However, something just didn’t feel right. I knew this wasn’t meant to be my career. So? Junior year after my first semester, I dropped out. This was incredibly hard for me because I felt like I failed myself. I went back home to Ft. Worth, stayed with my parents, and got a job in the box office at Bass Performance Hall.
At this point, I was very lost. I had no idea what my career was going to be. I was 23 and my drive was disappearing. I ended up meeting a guy that led me to live in Austin. I was in need of a job desperately, but my hair was in terrible shape. I searched “best salons in Austin” and found Urban Betty Salon. I got my hair done by Chenoa Brookins. After talking with her for 4 hours about my life and what led me to that point, she suggested I apply to work at Urban Betty as a receptionist. Right after my appointment, I applied and got a call back the next day. This was the moment my life changed forever. About a year into working there, many of the stylists were asking me why I don’t become a hairstylist? Not that I’m driven by money, but some of these women were making six figures. I started to think, “this could be something I see myself doing.” It’s art, science, and psychology all in one.
The idea of being in more debt put this decision off for me for a while. I’ll never forget the day Maddie Longobardi, a senior stylist at Urban Betty salon, came up to me and said, “you need to apply for beauty school.” It wasn’t just once, but pretty much everyday. I eventually said, “you know what I’m going to do it.” I applied to Baldwin Beauty School, South Austin Location and began a week later. I fell in love right away. It was such a natural feeling of talking to people and doing hair. Going into this I had so much support from the people I worked with and the instructors at the school. One instructor specifically, Kimberly Bellinger, pushed me hard but she knew I had the potential to be something great. That meant so much to me and still does. Right around when I graduated, I ended up ending things with the guy I moved to Austin with and went back home to Fort Worth. It was hard for me to leave Urban Betty Salon because that was where I was going to work after school.
I just knew I needed to be back in Fort Worth and be with my family after the break up I just had. I remember sitting down with the owner of Urban Betty, Chelle Neff, as well as Kim Light Pearson and Hallie Spurlin, to let them know I was leaving. Their reaction was just what I needed. Incredibly supportive. On May 24th, 2019, I graduated cosmetology school and was on the road back to Ft. Worth. After passing my written and practical exam, I was on the hunt to find the salon. I would launch my career as a hairstylist. This actually took me quite some time. I remember when I interviewed at Panther City Salon, I fell in love right away. It’s a historic building in Southside Ft. Worth with incredible architecture. After speaking with the owner, Kayla McMahon, I learned the salon was booth rental. This meant I would pay rent weekly and provide all products and supplies myself. Being just fresh out of school, I wasn’t looking to jump into booth rental right away. I think Kayla and I ended up speaking for about an hour and a half and she completely convinced me I could do it.
So, I signed the lease on September 4th, 2019. This was a huge risk not having any clientele and it was a risk I was willing to take. I’m very close to my one year and I honestly can’t believe how much traction and support I have gotten being behind the chair. It took a lot of hard work and dedication behind the scenes. Aside from hair, I’ve grown a love for photography. I have had wonderful opportunities to do photography sessions with clients whose hair I have done. I think it’s really neat to see the hair I have done from a different perspective. What’s next for me? I would love to open my own creative space in about 4-5 years. I would also love to work onset of a magazine shoot, fashion show, or film to give creative input or have a hand in creating the aesthetic of a character. For now, I’m going to enjoy where I am and savor every moment.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would have to say not quite as smooth as I would like; however, every bump in the road was a huge learning experience. For example, when I dropped out of college, I was pretty depressed. Like I mentioned before, I felt like I had failed myself. When I was in that moment, I felt like I hit a wall. I had this negative headspace telling myself, “ I’m never going to make it anywhere with my life.” Looking back at it now, I wish I could just shake myself and say, “You are going to make it through this.” I feel like we have this idea in our heads that we HAVE to go to college in order to be successful in life. The thing is we all are different with different strengths and weaknesses. I think it’s important to fail because you will come across new paths that you may not have ever crossed if it wasn’t for that failure.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m an independent hairstylist and film photographer. I specialize in Asian hair. However, I love color in general. I like the challenge and formulating complex colors. With my photography, I stay away from traditionally posed shots. I like more free-flowing, candid moments. One of my photography secrets is to never stop shooting even in between setting up for a different shot because usually, those are the best moments. I like to sometimes say something silly or something that will catch them off guard to make the break. The “break” moments are the most genuine reactions. Capturing that is raw and real. As a hairstylist and a photographer, I feel like I connect with my clients sometimes on a very deep level. It’s not intentional but I think I just have that effect on people. I’m pretty neutral, not easily, bothered, a great listener, and if they need it, I would like to think I give decent advice. I have found a way to serve others as well as serve myself and I think in a job that’s really important.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is finding that drive to wake up every morning to go and do what you love. You know that old saying, “If you do what you love, you should never work a day in your life.” That is a success. Success is also accepting there is always room to grow and learn. The moment you think you know everything, you will slowly get burnt out. Learning is what sparks passion and passion leads to success.
Contact Info:
- Address: Panther City Salon
1300 Hemphill St. #7619
Fort Worth, TX 76104 - Website: https://www.manegamehair.com/
- Email: kwattershair@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_manegame_/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ladywatters
Image Credit:
Kayla Watters
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