Working for a Living: Hairstylists

Being trained in the art of hairdressing takes more than skill and the ability to look presentable day in and day out. To be a hairstylist, it is important to enjoy coloring, cutting and, most importantly, people.

Stepping into the shoes of a stylist involves a lot of styling, drying, sweeping up hair, slicing foils and more. Prep work is standard, making sure necessary products for the day are where they should be, curlers and flat irons are turned on and ready for use, foils are sliced, and plenty of towels are available.

The rest depends on the customer, and his or her wants and needs. Color cannot be prepped too soon, and consultations with the clients are standard before any styling begins.

After talking with four area hairstylists, it’s apparent that relationships — and desire to change a person’s outlook on life — are the keys to love for the job and, ultimately, to success.

Kathy Kelly, owner and hairstylist at in Birmingham, has been perfecting her skills in the trade for 43 years. She said she couldn’t remember ever wanting to be anything else and has never worked anywhere but a hair salon. Even after all the years in the same profession — and 40 years running the same company — she still simply enjoys doing people’s hair.

“I’ve always liked how it’s artistic and fun, and you can make people feel beautiful,” Kelly said.

On the other hand, Jill Flowers of in Farmington Hills has just started her adventure in hairdressing. After obtaining a degree in criminal justice and years of working at a bank, Flowers decided she didn’t want to miss out on the chance to do what she had always wanted to do: hair.

“It’s always been my dream,” the 32-year-old said. “It’s amazing, going to work and doing something that you love every day.”

As she works on building her client base, Flowers also serves as assistant, mostly to the owners of the salon but also to any of her colleagues who need help throughout the day. She does a lot of stocking, shampooing and blow-drying. When walk-ins venture into the salon, she is often available to help them, which helps her develop her own customer base.

“There is something different every day in a salon setting — every hour, actually — not everyone wants the same hairstyle,” Flowers explained.

Keep the customer satisfied

Kelly and Flowers agree that having repeat customers who request a specific hairstylist is necessary to be successful in the profession.

Adam Stephens, hairstylist at in Bloomfield Hills, believes he has created a substantial clientele because of the conversations that spark between him and his clients.

Stephens, 31, said that because he styles his own hair in a Mohawk, some walk-ins who come in and are placed in his service are quick to judge — but he said that after they witness his commitment to hair and his desire to build a relationship with the customer, they ease up and come back requesting him.

“I like to do creative and do wacky stuff if possible. I think that’s what makes me, me,” Stephens said. “Even though I have a wild look, I can definitely chill out when comes to doing someone else’s hair.”

The number of customers a stylist sees in a day varies. Kelly said a typical day for her is 15 per day, while Stephens said six to eight is average for him.

“That is honestly all I can do in my day,” Stephens said. “Some people can do more; most of the time they have to have an assistant for that. I like to concentrate on one client at a time.”

Hairstylist Jennifer Schropp, 26, who works at in West Bloomfield, noted that she typically works with 10 to 15 customers in a day. After working with hair for 10 years — and understanding that she doesn’t like waiting forever to get her own hair done — she tries to ensure a speedy turnaround for her clients.

She said that for some people, having their hair styled is like a therapy session, and she wants it to go as smoothly for her customers as possible.

“They come in and have all sorts of things going on in their life that I can’t necessarily help with, but they usually leave in a better mood after they have their hair done,” Schropp said. “It’s their therapy session.”

Kelly agreed that many of the people who walk into her salon are in need of a pick-me-up — and typically find it in all types of cuts and colors.

“I like working with hair coloring the best because it makes that change that makes you look wonderful,” Kelly said. “Nothing changes people’s moods better than having the right hair color.”

Crafting the right look

Many of the stylists mentioned not wanting to be pushy with their clients, but Schropp and Stephens specifically said they enjoy when customers trust them enough to give them a new, refreshing look.

“It’s always nice to have artistic freedom,” Schropp said. “When I start off with a lot of my clients, I keep them in a safe zone until they are comfortable enough with me. Then after doing their hair a few times, the majority say do whatever, have fun with it.”

Stylists typically can make good recommendations because they are on top of the trends and hot looks for the season. They also are trained to know what face frame fits with what style.

“People are seeming to get their hair cut short for the summer — a layered short style, pixielike,” Flowers said. “We also have feathers, which is all the rage right now.”

“When you get to go wild and they love that new look, that makes what we do worthwhile,” Schropp said.