Life and Work with Carly Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Johnson.

Carly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always been drawn to art and driven by creativity. After high school, I went to Michigan State University to study fashion design, something I thought would cater to those qualities. However, after three years of studying Apparel and Textile Design, I was unhappy and worried about not feeling fulfilled in my career. I carefully considered new paths that would nurture my creativity and challenge me. Cosmetology fit the bill and, fortunately, there was a great school right near Michigan State’s campus. I was instantly hooked. After graduating, I moved to Chicago and got a job at a very busy and prominent salon. I completed an intense, 4-year apprenticeship in which I worked for and learned from some of the most talented stylists in Chicago. I am so grateful for that opportunity because it really helped shape who I am as a stylist and the high standards I set for myself. After six years in Chicago, I fulfilled a longtime dream of moving to Denver. I worked for nearly three years at an upscale salon in Denver before starting my own business here a year and a half ago. I am loving the new challenges and opportunities that come with being self-employed and am finding that I can cater to my clients’ needs better than ever.

Great, 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?
As with anything worth doing, there have certainly been challenges along the way. From the beginning, my apprenticeship was intense and long. It was hard to feel like my career wasn’t taking off as I wanted it to. Sticking with it, though, has paid off. It helped me understand the industry and know what it takes to meet my clients’ expectations. Another big obstacle for me, specific to this industry, was when I moved to Denver from Chicago and had to rebuild my client list. To go from having consistent, busy workdays to hoping for walk-ins left me feeling defeated some days. But again, sticking with it has brought me a long list of regular clients that I am so lucky to work with. I also think that the beauty industry is so easy to compare yourself to other stylists, especially with social media. So, aside from advising people who are just starting out to stick with it during hard times and seek out educational opportunities, my advice is to try not to make comparisons to others but learn from them. Take something that you admire about them and try incorporating that into your own style. This industry is even more fun if you can celebrate the artistry and creativity of your peers.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m a hair cutting and extension specialist and also receive a lot of referrals for my signature blowouts. I’m most proud of the business that I have created that allows me to interact with my clients one on one. I love the creative aspect of my job, but I also love the service part of it – so I feel very fortunate that every day, I am able to connect with people and do what I love.

Who have you been inspired by?
I’m very fortunate to have grown up with a strong, independent and caring mother. I’ve seen her work so hard to achieve what she wanted in life. So naturally, she’s taught me so much about hard work and perseverance. While she was also very tough, I’ve always known she’s in my corner.

Pricing:

• Women’s Haircut $85
• Men’s Haircut $55
• Blowout $55
• Extensions consultation required
• Brazilian Blowout consultation required

Contact Info:

• Phone: 6164469825
• Email: carlyj99@gmail.com
• Instagram: carlyjohnsonhair

Image Credit:
Carly Johnson

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