Conversations with Bethany Northcott

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Northcott

Hi Bethany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello! I’m Bethany Northcott, a Self Employed Hairstylist and Beauty Entrepreneur in Colorado Springs. Where it really all started for me was actually in sixth grade, the sixth grade dance to be specific. For the first time, I was allowed to straighten my hair for the dance, and that was also the first time a boy ever told me I was pretty. Adult feminist me cringes to say it now, but I came alive in that moment. I didn’t know it then, but that little compliment planted a seed in me— the power of beauty. Many people might call it vain but the fact is, we’re visual creatures, and I’ve come to find there’s a very healthy way to lean into that fact without making appearance your entire identity. Fast forward to high school and, surprise, a little compliment from a random boy wasn’t enough to sustain me through puberty and all the challenges of coming of age. I was still struggling immensely with self confidence and worth. I know now, of course, that those things come from within and beauty services are best used to help your outside reflect your inside, not the other way around. But, when you’re fifteen, you chase anything that provides a feeling of acceptance, however fleeting. I don’t even remember where or how, but at some point in my sophomore year, I learned how to curl hair with a flat iron. That simple little trick ultimately ignited the path I still find myself on today.

It started out as fun and it made me feel pretty, just what 11 year old Bethany always wanted! But then it transformed; I began finding interest in other areas of the beauty industry and really started to lean into the self expression and discovery they provided. It was intoxicating. Other people asked me for advice and wanted me to do their hair or teach them how I did mine. The attention and recognition fueled a confidence that built upon itself- when you start to feel good about yourself, it creates an energy that attracts others, and when you notice that, you feel even better, and it just builds. I quickly realized that I not only had a knack for it, but that spreading that feeling of confidence and joy I had found by sharing with others was so fulfilling. At the time, I was also incredibly interested in psychology and still thought a therapist or psychologist would be the profession I would seek. After all, some sort of medical profession is respectable and frankly, where the money is. But a teacher that knew me well told me she felt I was both too empathetic and creative for a career in that field. Whether she was right or not, we’ll never know. She suggested, however, cosmetology. Noticing my interest and skill, she suggested it would be a way to still listen to and help people without carrying their heaviest psychological burdens. I had never thought about pursuing my interests as a career, but just hearing the words, it felt right. When a career fair came to school, I went straight to the cosmetology school booths, got all the information, and didn’t even look at the other options before walking out with the biggest grin on my face. I knew what I was doing and nothing was going to stop me. Before high school graduation came around, I was already signed up and ready to go. I remember some family having an intervention with me, telling me it wasn’t a real career, that I would make no money, but all that did was motivate me to prove them wrong.

Since then, I’ve worked for industry veterans and top salons with extensive education. From assistant to a stylist with my own assistant, now to a self employed hair stylist doing it all myself; inventory, scheduling, content creation, hair services that provide value to my clients lives and of course the “hairapy” that I still love along with it. Though I took a brief hiatus from behind the chair after an injury, in which I studied Film, I ended up back in my true passion. I’ve now added Certified Color Analyst to my tool belt—this is analyzing a person’s unique undertone, value, and intensity to provide them the best colors that harmonize with who they are so that they can find the right hair color, makeup, and clothing to help them step into the most confident version of themselves. Far from done, I have dreams of creating a space where creatives like myself can flourish with both autonomy and community. Ultimately, I’m just seeking ways to better myself while serving and bettering those around me as well. I’m a firm believer that when you win, I win, we all win. We’re all just humans with a beautiful story, trying to navigate this life as best we can and a little help to feel good about ourselves in a world that finds a myriad of ways to do the opposite can go such a long way. At the end of the day, I’m so grateful to have built a life and career that honors young, insecure Bethany and every other struggling young girl like her by taking what I’ve learned and using my passion and skills to help others look and feel the best version of who they already are inside.

Alright, 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?
Boy, I would love to meet the person who’s had a smooth road, whether in life in general or their professional journey. Actually, on second thought, no I wouldn’t. The bumps and potholes along the way are what teach us how to navigate, how to solve problems and look within when there are no signs to tell you where to go or how to get there. Isn’t that funny though? We all want a smooth ride, we hate when things go wrong, and think maybe the challenges we’re facing are signs we shouldn’t continue, we convince ourselves it’s the universe telling us to give up. But any ted talk, podcast, or self help book you’ve ever found inspiring was probably riddled with “failures”, challenges, and detours along the way. As I’m writing this, I’m reminding myself as well, every challenge is just an opportunity to learn, not proof we aren’t good enough/don’t know enough in the first place.

Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now. Of course there were many small challenges along the way, like when I couldn’t figure out a new technique and wanted to quit or I had a difficult client that made me doubt why I even do this. However, it’s the detours, for me, that really define my journey. The biggest was probably when I got into a car accident that left my back and spine injured. In a job that requires your whole body to function properly, this was clearly a big issue. At only 23 years old, I would come home crying and just lay on the floor in pain. At the same time, the environment in my beloved salon home was falling apart. (The owner was committing fraud and exhibiting toxic behaviors that were contagious in an attempt to cover it up). I had started at this salon right out of cosmetology school and had built much of my professional identity around the salon itself. Both of these things happening in conjunction really led me to believe that this wasn’t my life long career like I’d originally thought, that maybe my family that had tried to intervene were right. I eventually ended up leaving and deciding to go back to school for Film Studies. I loved the creative side of it and found a love in writing specifically. However, even though I loved what I was learning and was doing well, I was really struggling to see myself actually doing these things as a career. This created a huge period of challenge, where I was really having to look within and figure out who I am, what I really want. While in school, I was also working at Dutch Bros, a major coffee chain. Many of my leaders there were telling me I should pursue a career with the company. Because Film didn’t feel fully right, I took their advice and planted it in my own heart and convinced myself it was my own desire. This led me out to Colorado, my first time leaving home, all alone. Here, even after a promotion, I quickly realized, this didn’t feel right either. And, I was still having just as much physical pain as I did when I left hair! It was so difficult to continuously be feeling like I’ve got it figured out and then wondering what was wrong with me when I knew deep down I didn’t. After some soul searching and many tears, I realized where my heart still belonged. I needed to find ways to take care of myself, body and soul, so that I could pursue what really ignited me all along. Ultimately, I never would have realized all this had I not gone through all those roundabouts and switchbacks along the way. (Sorry, I just love a good metaphor).

Now, I see that all these little and big challenges were really one giant challenge to learn how to truly listen to myself, trust myself, forgive myself, and lean into my own passions regardless of what others may say. To take advice but not confuse it for my own sense of direction. And, they all taught me that the journey is far more important than the destination. In fact, there really is no destination. So long as I’m alive, may I never “arrive”. I look forward to many more bumps, dips, and detours as I learn all they have to teach.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a hairstylist, I specialize in dimensional hair color. While many hairstylists choose to focus on one color, like blonde, I don’t discriminate there! I love creating dimensional looks of every shade and tone. When you look at someone’s natural hair color, it may seem just one color, but when you look closer, even that is dimensional. You’ll notice bits around the face and on top are lighter while fresh hair and hair underneath will be more pigmented. So, I love to expand upon this natural inclination in hair by using creative colors, or just enhancing what’s already natural to bring a bit more life into it. As I mentioned before, I’m also a certified Color Analyst, so I can identify a client’s unique coloring to help them figure out which hair colors compliment and enhance them best as well. Combining this with my dimensional color, I can create custom looks that are low maintenance and add value to their lives by making them feel their best for months on end. No two heads of hair are alike, so I find immense joy in taking someone’s inspiration and making it personal and custom to them and who they are. As such, I also love to have fun with color and recognize that we don’t always want something to flatter us best, sometimes we want to express something different, and I’m here for that too. I got into this business ultimately to serve others, so I take pride in providing my professional opinion and expertise while honoring what someone wants and or needs at the time. If you couldn’t tell by my long paragraphs, I’m also quite the yapper and would say that conversation and connection are also arenas in which I thrive. In an industry that can quickly become toxic, connecting to my clients and creating a safe space for them to treat themselves while I “work my magic” is a skill I love to utilize.

As a stylist that specializes in these areas, what I’m most proud of is the loyal clientele I’ve built in a rather short time. When I went out on my own, I wasn’t really ready. (Is anybody ever?) I didn’t have a firm clientele I knew would follow me, maybe a few. But I knew that I was passionate, dedicated, and had the personality and skills to back it all up. It was time to jump. I believed if I stayed true to who I was and my mission behind the chair, people would come. Within one year, I was able to go down to three days behind the chair while making more money than before and remaining fully booked with a waitlist. Of course, this wasn’t all my tenacity. I had many people that believed in me, such as my supportive partner and also my amazing salon owner, Kelli Stephenson. At my salon home, Lush + Lather, she has created an environment that allowed my business to thrive while never hesitating to offer advice every step of the way. Sure, I owe a good chunk of my success to my own belief in myself, but I’m proud to say I could never accomplish my dreams alone and am honored to be surrounded by many beautiful souls who believe in me as well.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
As a Phoenix native, I really do love Colorado Springs. I’d have to say a true four seasons is something I truly enjoy. In Phoenix, you really just get summer and less summer. I hadn’t really seen leaves change until I moved here. However, with that, comes my least favorite part about the city/state- winter. Specifically, driving in it. Having never driven in the snow before moving here, it is the source of some major anxiety for me in the winter time. Especially being in a field where I have to physically show up to do my job, that can be tough for me balancing safety with the fear of letting others down. And the infrastructure in the Springs really has not been maintained to keep up with the increasing traffic, so that adds an extra layer. However, other than that, it’s truly a great place to live. With so many military here, there’s a constant circulation of folks in and out of the city. Which can be amazing as a hairstylist and also terrible, like when your favorite client has to move! But such is life and I’m grateful for all the time I get with each person. It also doesn’t hurt that the beautiful mountains are in my backyard, providing direction and beautiful views daily. I literally drive past Garden of the Gods, a major tourist destination, every single day on my way to and from work. How beautiful is that? Lastly, the sunshine just about every day keeps a Phoenix born, summertime and sunshine kind of girl, thriving.

Pricing:

• Full Custom Color- $375+
• Partial Custom Color- $295+
• Full Refresh- $235+
• Partial Refresh- $140+
• Virtual Color Analysis- $195, In Person- $205

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Beautybybethany.co
• Instagram: @beautybybethany.co
• Other: TikTok- beautybybethany.co

Image Credits
Photography- Kira Whitney Photography