KJ Murphy shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
KJ, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve really been getting back into rollerblading lately, and it’s been such a blast. As a kid, I was constantly skating around our neighborhood, staying out until dark whenever I could get away with it. For a few years we even had an unfinished basement that I turned into my own personal roller rink, and I’d spend hours down there skating nonstop.
As an adult, I wanted a hobby and exercise that didn’t feel like a chore—something fun that got me outside and moving. Then one day at a local park, I saw a bunch of rollerbladers flying by, and it instantly reignited that spark. Now, whether it’s after work or sneaking in a quick break between guests, I love lacing up and cruising around the park or my neighborhood.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! I’m KJ Murphy (He/Him/They/Them), the Alien Hair Artist. I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself. I am a Platform Hair Artist based in Denver, Colorado, and I’ve been part of this incredible industry since 2015. Every year has strengthened my love for the craft and grown me both professionally and personally.
I’m proud to be an Artistic Brand Educator for Kenra Professional, where I have the privilege of sharing my passion and knowledge with stylists across the country on stage and in the classroom. I’m well versed in the hair world but have a passion for innovative haircuts, creative and dimensional color, and a deep love for editorial content creation and continued education.
Beyond the salon, I’m inspired by the arts and the outdoors. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends bringing new ideas to life—whether that’s exploring nature on a beautiful hike or diving into a creative project.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
There are two people in my life who truly set the standard for what a strong work ethic looks like and how to pursue career goals. The first is my dad. I know that might sound cliché, but it’s genuinely true. My dad has taught me a lot in life, and work ethic is one of the biggest lessons he’s passed on.
He’s the kind of person who just gets things done. If he can fix something himself, he will. If he can’t, he’ll find the right help. That balance is something I’ve always admired—being confident enough to handle things on your own, but humble enough to recognize when you need help and ask for it. He never backed away from a challenge because it was too hard or outside his comfort zone. He rose to it and followed through. If I had to sum up his advice, it would be: Do the work, do it right the first time, and do it with a smile on your face.
The second person is my late brother, Rick. He was a true go-getter. He started working for a local IT company, and by the time he passed, he had built and owned a successful IT business that left behind an incredible legacy for his family. I was lucky enough to work with him for a few months before he started his own company and watching him work was inspiring. The way he treated his staff, customers, and vendors with respect and care made it clear what real leadership looks like. I knew then that if I ever found myself in a leadership role, I’d want to lead the way he did.
He shared the same values as my dad, and I believe that combination is what made him such a powerhouse in his field. One of my favorite quotes from him was, “Learn. Grow. Change.”
Simple words—but powerful ones to live by.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Resilience—so much resilience—has come out of my suffering. That’s something I don’t think success has ever truly taught me. While I don’t want to glamorize suffering, I do believe resilience is one of those qualities you can only really learn by going through hard things.
I’ve had to bounce back on a moment’s notice and learn to go with the flow when life didn’t give me a choice. You don’t learn that by always succeeding. You learn it through failure, through earth-shattering moments, and through the darkest corners of life. That’s where you learn how to take a hit, stand back up, and keep moving forward.
Because of that, resilience is the greatest lesson my suffering has given me.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies I think hairdressers tell themselves is that this industry is “easy.” I see it all the time—people going to cosmetology school believing it will be a quick path to fast money and an effortless career. The reality is very different. This industry is not easy, and success definitely doesn’t happen overnight.
It takes years to truly understand hair—its textures, chemistry, structure, and how different techniques work. Performing consistent, high-quality services requires skill, experience, and a lot of trial and error. Beyond the technical side, you also have to learn how to communicate, consult, and problem-solve in real time, often under pressure.
On top of that, you don’t just build a career by doing hair—you build it by building trust. Trust with your guests doesn’t happen in a single appointment. It’s earned over time by showing up consistently, listening, being honest, and delivering results they can rely on. Slowly, that trust turns into loyalty, and loyalty turns into a clientele strong enough to support your life and your goals.
Hair isn’t easy work. It’s physically demanding, mentally challenging, and emotionally invested. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. It’s creative, it’s personal, and it allows you to make a real impact on how people feel about themselves. So while this industry is far from easy, it’s really, really fun!
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I think peace looks different for me from day to day. Some days, when I’m fully booked in the salon, I find my peace in the middle of a blow-dry—those moments when I can simply play with hair, focus on the details, and slip into the natural flow of my craft.
Other days, it shows up in my studio while I’m creating a hairpiece, music playing in the background, completely absorbed and in a flow state. And sometimes, peace has nothing to do with hair at all—it’s found in something as simple as a bubble bath, giving myself space to slow down, reflect, and breathe.
For me, peace isn’t one fixed place or feeling. It lives in those small, quiet moments of presence and reflection—and often, with a little bit of hair mixed in too.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alienhairartist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KJ.alien.hair.artist
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlienHairArtist
Image Credits
Headshot: Christopher Brown Photo
Stage Photo: N/A
Logo
Pink Hat Photos: @partyy_boyyy
Red Runway Photos: @beckyduffyhill.creative
