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Life and Work with Hailey Hodapp

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Hodapp.

Hailey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
One of my very first jobs was helping out in my aunt’s salon. Answering phones, and scheduling appointments (on a paperback book). Being in a salon was always a “normal” thing for my family. We always had our hair done in a salon by my aunt or cousin… or like me grew up to do hair. I believe there is about 6 of us that do hair and the new generation is not far behind. I’d like to say I’m a third-generation “hair-activist” because it has always been about way more than just hair.

After high school, I was not convinced of what my true path was. Full transparency I knew it all and was not about to start any schooling without knowing the path it would lead me on. So, I began working… like behind a desk doing odd jobs that paid my bills. Didn’t take long to find out that I was pregnant with my son. 18, pregnant, and confused about what the future would hold. All I knew was that I was not meant to have a “basic” life… it would be something to remember. I gave birth… wait do people even say that anymore? Well once my son arrived I went on baby leave, went back for three days and was laid off. I had to understand I was expendable, not of value… so I decided to go to beauty school it was the right path and I think I knew it all along.

Empire beauty school was a blur. Having family in this industry I knew that school gave you the ‘A, B, C’s’ of hair. Pass boards and get licensed. That was the aim. So during school, I Interned at TONI and GUY which was near my school. Basically, I stood there for a few hours after school and watched as much as I could (while trying not to think of all the motherly things I needed to accomplish once done) I asked questions, took notes, all of the things. Once I graduated from school and was licensed, TONI and GUY gave me a job. Haircutting specialist, that’s what called to me. They had training very seldom and each of the stylists were wildly talented. I lasted about six months. When you make minimum wage, shampooing hair, and have Thursday and Friday off with baby things just didn’t add up. I needed to get my hands in hair, you know, mess up a few haircuts to get the “experience” they talked about in school.

From there, I worked at FANTASTIC SAMS and to say I got experience actually makes me laugh out loud until this day. Now, don’t get me wrong there are many people that do hair at this establishment and make the living that they desire with the hours that work for them. I was not one of them. Sure, I did a whole heap of hair, but I wouldn’t classify this as quality, groundbreaking hair. I lasted about six months, but three months into working here, I was hired at AVEDA ACADEMY DENVER (they hired in advance). They hired me for the PURE TALENT ACADEMY, 10 months of training hands-on Vidal Sassoon based skills. Here we go.

AVEDA was Downtown Denver. Finally, I was hooked. Doing so so hair, but learning how to improve. I assisted for three months to some of the most amazing friends and stylist. Who which I attribute a lot of what I know today to this time. After the program, I was hired part-time as a stylist. Now, I need to mention In this program I had been pregnant again. So, while working here, I was serving coffee, and working retail, with two kids. Yikes! This lasted two years. I built a small clientele and learned so much about myself as a stylist.

I left AVEDA and started booth renting. I loved the freedom. I was building more people in my chair. I got my barber license. Now, dual-licensed. I was involved in local fashion shows. I did many charity events and gave advice to younger stylists. I was ready for more. I also continued my drive for fashion and all things hair and traveling to NY for fashion week for more than 5 seasons. I worked with a team called The Beauty Underground for Denver fashion week and learned so much about production of a show and what it takes to creative direct. I’ve worked the North American Hair Awards. I have also traveled to places like Greece, and Montreal doing workshops for creatives through a program called MASTERED. I love editorial and session work. I love to be onset of a photoshoot. If all of my experiences have shown me anything, it is that when you have goosebumps go with that!

I found a real passion for education. I started with a brand called KEVIN.MURPHY. I teach regionally for their color line and haircare line. This sparked so much growth in my personality as a stylist. As well as pushed me to learn as much as I could. With a true understanding that you are never done growing. Trends and techniques will come and go but education is forever.

Working for myself really showed me how much I want to be successful. How much I want to show my kids I care about my passions. I am now reaching for the stars more than ever.

So, have I made it? Well in my opinion I have. Am I done?… never.

Has it been a smooth road?
I have had one of the most bumpy roads. What do they say… if there is never anything bad, what do you have to learn from?

I have had clients cuss me out.
I have put my time and trust into “friends” who turned out to be the latter.
I have been talked down to.
I have had other people take credit for my work.
I have been broke af.
I’ve done things wrong and had to own up to it.

Basically, I’ve done it all or had it done to me. I learned that life is grey. Life is not black and white. Nothing worth it will ever be easy, and your mindset is just about all that you have control over. These rough patches make me more empathetic. I actually understand that we’re all “going through it” and I am always here for my fellow female.

So, my advice. Be patient. Our world gives you what you want at the click of a button. Don’t let that fool you. Not everyone on social is who they “post” to be. They have had their bumps too. Keep on your path, and during your journey, ask yourself. Can I learn from this? Will this help me grow?

So, as you know, we’re impressed with your business – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am a hair-activist, hairstylist, educator, and salon liaison/creative director. Basically, the modern-day entrepreneur.

I style hair at a Salon in Denver Highlands called Scarlet salon. I specialize in curly hair, balayage, color corrections, and making the inside feel just as good as the outside looks (you should see the grin I have on).

Also, I educate for a haircare brand called KEVIN.MURPHY. They are an Australian company that is focused on Fashion, Environment, and Performance. I would like to think of those three things like the perfect way to describe myself so I align with this brand to the core. I get the opportunity to travel around to different salons and help them better their business by better understanding the brand. This has changed the way I do hair as well.

As well I do hair onset for photoshoots, rebranding, e-commence, editorial, etc.

Through the years, I have had the opportunity to build an amazing network of salon owners, stylists, photographers, MUA, hairstylists, creative people galore. With that, I help organize, rebrand, and launch salon collection shoots. From gathering the team to producing the shoot.

@thesplitendunity is a blog that I am starting (launching OCT 1st) about the struggles of working women and daily hair hacks that will save them from at-home hack jobs.

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I am the youngest of three girls. So, I was able to watch the way my siblings acted as I quietly took notes. Aside from the normal childhood issues… and some not so normal. I watch so many women in my life especially my mom, just try and try again. The women around me for so many years have been such amazing resilient examples that I never wanted to let them down. Now, I want to pass that to my kids. I want them to make sure that they know what hard work and passion looks like.

Pricing:

  • I charge according to time. $100 an hour.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Rebecca Slaughter, Getty Images, Kyle Cooper

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