Conversations with Marisa Barrett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Barrett. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a child, I was always doing everyone’s hair. From braiding my cousin’s hair to doing prom hair and makeup for my friends. I had always known I would do hair however, it took me most of my twenties to take a leap into Cosmetology as a career. 

Fast Forward, I decided to take the leap at 27 to move to Las Vegas and go to Cosmetology school. After graduation, I worked for a couple of salons and a hair and makeup/ wedding business doing weddings in Las Vegas and surrounding areas. 

Three years ago, I moved to Littleton and finished my degree B.A. in Psychology. Deciding what I wanted to do with my degree but also still having a passion for Cosmo, I applied to Pickens Tech as an instructor where I worked for a little over a year and left on maternity leave. After having my daughter, Delylah, in Feb. 2020, Covid locked us down for the year plus, so going back to teaching was not in the cards for me. 

In June 2021, I decided to pursue my dream of opening my own salon. Eleven years into my career. and I was finally able to make my vision and dream come true. July 31st of 2021 De’Lylahs Hair & Body opened and I couldn’t be more excited and blessed. 

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?
I remember my parents telling me, “Anything worth having, is worth working for!” This journey has been hard work, to say the least. There have been challenges and obstacles of course, but I feel like they are in place to make you stronger. Learning how to take from the challenges and not let them defeat you is the most important. 

I think the biggest challenge was going through school and balancing being a single mom (thankfully I did have help) working in an ever-changing, instant gratification profession, and staying on top of changing trends. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Since entering the industry (Cosmetology), I have focused on learning how to do the perfect blonde and extensions. These two specialties are not only my favorite but are definitely two things that set me apart. 

I guess you could say I am known more for my blonde color than extensions. I would hope that I am known for being kind, compassionate to the client, and really hearing them when they talk about their hair needs. 

I am most proud of opening De’Lylahs Hair & Body and creating the atmosphere within. It’s somewhere I want clients to feel welcome like they are going to hang out with their very best friends and get their hair or skin service done as well. 

I would hope that what sets me apart from others is my customer service and ability to listen. I think most are so quick to respond and do not truly hear a person when they speak. My hope is that my clients feel heard and valued and not just another number in the salon. 

How do you define success?
This is such a great question! I define success as more than monetary. 

Success isn’t just tangible things like cars, houses, or expensive clothes/shoes in my opinion. 

Success is when you see the joy in someone after a couple of hours in your chair. The look in the client’s eyes when they see themselves in the mirror for the first time and radiate newfound confidence. 

Success is when people speak about you in such a positive way that others want to meet you. The reputation of the salon and of myself as an owner is so important to me. 

Success is watching your staff grow their business and change into independent, strong stylists who love what they do and where they work. Success is seeing them find their niche and making their clients happy. 

Pricing:

• Haircuts starting @ $45
• Color starting @ $80
• Highlights starting @ $165
• Balayage starting @ $185
• Blow-dry/ style starting @ $45

Contact Info:

• Email: delylahshair@gmail.com
• Website: www.delylahshairandbody.org
• Instagram: @delylahshairandbody
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeLylahs-Hair-Body