Life and Work with Kat Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Smith.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Southern California the first 18 years of my life. I feel like  I’ve always been the black sheep in my family and growing up, I never really knew where I fit in. I would go back and forth with what I wanted to be when I grew up. But if you asked my family now, I think that there where signs as I was growing up that pointed out I’d be a hairstylist.

In 2011 after graduating high school and turning 18, I decided that I was going to pack up my 1993 Ford Escort wagon and move out. I didn’t have a plan for where I was going to live or what I was going to do for money, but that’s all apart of the adventure right? I couch surfed for a little while and worked in the service industry until my boyfriend (who is now my husband) told me that we had the option to move to Colorado. I never thought that I would ever leave Southern California in a million years. But I’m glad I did. In September of 2012, we packed up and made our way out to Colorado Springs. A few months after moving, my now Mother-in law asked, “Have you ever thought about doing hair?” Before that point I had thought about it, but it was something that I knew my family was unsure of as a career. So I never followed through because of the fear of what they might think and also of failing. She said “Why not just take a tour? What’s the worst that could happen?” I mean who could argue with that right?  So I sat down and I scheduled a few tours at a few schools in the area and the first one on the list was Paul Mitchell the School Colorado Springs. I was nervous and unsure of what to expect walking into a school full of future professionals.  A few minutes after walking into the school and taking it all in, I knew I was exactly where I was suppose to be. I didn’t even tour the other schools. I started a few weeks later in February of 2013 and graduated in June of 2014 with a Cosmetology license.

I think in my industry, it’s intimidating after you graduate to find a salon that fits you. I had my license but didn’t know where to start. Booth rent? Commission? Hourly? I had no clientele established right after graduating so I knew I had to start somewhere so I could pay bills. So I picked an hourly salon, a Cost Cutters to be exact. We all have to start somewhere. I worked there for almost a year when I thought these exact words to myself, “There has to be more out there for me. I can’t stay here the rest of my life.” Thinking back and remembering the experience I had when I went to beauty school, I wanted to give that same experience to others, I went back to Paul Mitchell the School in July of 2015 and started my teaching career. I found my passion for educating. I then realized during my time of educating that I missed being behind the chair.

During my time in beauty school, I had always knew of Prodigy. I knew Micah owned the school and he also co-owned Prodigy. And I always thought, “That salon is where the cool people work. That’s where the best work.” I never thought I had a chance to work there so I never tried to pursue it after graduating. Until one day they had come to the school when I was teaching and they did a guest artist. Guest artist is where salons or people in the industry come and tell their stories to the students and give them insight about their salon and also what it’s like being in the industry. I was so inspired after they talked about Prodigy. So inspired in fact that I went straight to Micah and asked if there where any assistant positions available. He told me no, but that I could start out as a stylist instead. I was extremely overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude. I started my career at Prodigy in December 2015.

I’ve now been at Prodigy for four years. I am our salons Education Leader and a level 3 stylist. I get to work alongside some of the most inspiring, hard working and passionate human beings in my industry. I also get to pursue my passion of educating stylists within our salon. Prodigy has opened so many doors in my career and I can’t wait to open the next one.

Has it been a smooth road?
Just like everything else in life, struggling is apart of it. It’s whether or not you let your struggles become your story rather than just a paragraph in it. I choose to grow and learn from mine. Some obstacles may be bigger then others but if you want something, like really want it, you’ll take that leap of faith and come out on the other side. I promise it’s all worth it.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Prodigy Salon – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I work behind the chair full time and specialize in coloring and cutting. But I also believe in being well rounded so I do also focus on other services. My other passion is education. Stepping into the education role in our salon was a huge victory. I get to hang out with our new stylists and teach them our systems. Furthering education in our industry is so important.

I’m so proud to be apart of Prodigy. We believe in teamwork, growing together and becoming successful together. I think what sets us apart from anywhere else is that we all come from different walks of life, in different stages of our lives and we come together in one place and make magic happen. I have found my industry to be highly competitive and somewhat full of egos.. but Prodigy is different, its a place where we all can come and fully be ourselves.

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I think that any woman that puts in the time and passion can open up so many doors of opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Address: 4339 Integrity Center Point
• Website: myprodigysalon.com/
• Phone: 719-358-7309
• Instagram: kat_hairr

Image Credit:
Makjadephotography

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