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Conversations with the Inspiring Autumn Hess

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Autumn Hess.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Autumn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was an EMT for several years and trying to be a single mother, but the hours and job life were too demanding. So I decided to go back to school and get my cosmetology license. I had a passion for color, high fashion stuff, photoshoots and weddings. I was one of the stylists for Denver Fashion Week, which also lead to me going to Mexico with the Denver Broncos as a stylist for their calendar shoot. I have done hair and makeup for a lot of weddings, engagement photos, prom, and more. I love to make people feel beautiful in their own skin. While I was working on my salon, Captivated Looks, my mom got diagnosed with Breast Cancer. It was then that I realized there were not enough places for cancer patients to go for their beauty needs. A place for them to mourn the loss of their hair without having to watch others fall in love with their new color, cut, extensions, and so forth.

I opened up Captivated Looks for Hope, and I offer the first cut/shave on the house. I am there for them during this journey in their lives, whether it is for a cut, wash, scalp treatment, or just to simply talk. I have recently got my certification in microblading, and I am able to give these amazing people their eyebrows back if the chemo takes them away for good. My dream is to one day have my salons known around the country and world. I dream to have Captivated Looks for Hope In every state or in major Hospitals for Oncology. I want my girls to see their mom not only make it as a business owner but also to teach them to be go getters and have compassion for others.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road for me. Starting a business is hard. Six months after I graduated from beauty school, I was heading to do hair and makeup for a wedding. My ex-partner and I were a block away from the venue when a lady ran a red light, t-boning us and hitting my door at 50 mph. My life changed that day. Since that accident in October of 2017, I have endured ten surgeries, 16 injections, and countless hours in physical therapy. I have a new back, pretty much new jaw, completely reconstructed chest, and fixed up the knee. While I was going through these horrific surgeries, I was still building my salons. I would even take clients a couple of days after a surgery. I work 13 hours for Denver Fashion Week the day after my second spinal surgery. I have always had a positive outlook on life and my dreams for my salons pushed me to heal and do what needed to be done. Sometimes I get frustrated because I feel the salon should be further along and I’m failing, but I remind myself that I survived something I shouldn’t have and that the salons are still growing and they’ve grown a lot since I first started.

If I could give any advice, it would be to just keep pushing. Put the work in now and don’t doubt yourself. Go for your dreams, no matter how unrealistic or hard they seem.

what should we know about Captivated Looks and Captivated Looks for Hope? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I have certifications in Cut, Color, Waxing, and Makeup. I specialize in creating updos and makeup for special occasions or everyday wear, color correction, vivid colors, and styles that can be worn every day. I am also certified in permanent makeup and can give you that wake-up and go look. I am proud of my salon for cancer patients. I want them to know I am here during this phase in their life and even after when their hair is coming back with all the awkward stages. I believe that I was able to take my empathy, compassion, and patient care from being an EMT and use it in my salons. I think being an EMT and seeing what I have has helped I become a better person, mom, business owner, stylist, and friend.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Write out your plan, make a wish board, and everyday push to make those come true. You will have rough times and feel like you aren’t going to make it, but pushing through that will not only make you a better person but a better business owner. Fight for your dreams. Take constructive criticism and learn from it. Surround yourself with people who have the same mindset and are making their dreams a reality.

Pricing:

  • Women’s Hair Cut $35
  • Bridal Hair and Makeup $175
  • Microblading $500 with a free touch up four weeks later
  • Men’s Hair Cut $25

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Ashley Farley with a Bloom Photo
Michael W Idm with InDenverMedia

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