Selfie Does Career Chat with Sarah Garner
Sarah Garner is a long-time hair stylist, amazing human and just super fun to be around. So when I got the opportunity to talk to her about all-things-beauty, I assumed we’d get some cool info about new products and being thoughtful about cutting your damn bangs and immediately regretting it because you have a cowlick on the front of your head and you live in heat and humidity *. But our conversation was so eye-opening from talking about following your dreams, not getting stuck in a job you hate, to the mechanics of networking as a young professional and its importance. So basically, we talked about all the things. If you’re interested in beauty tips you can find part one here. Today, we’re talking about changing careers and the importance of doing what you love. You can find the amazing Ms. Sarah Garner at Siva Salon in Austin and on social media @sarahgarnerhair.
How did you get started in the industry?
I got started in the industry later, at 27. I went back to school to do hair because I decided I didn’t want to sell computer software. I always loved hair and I thought it was fun but my dad was like [ cue: deep dad voice] “You’re not going to make enough money being a hairdresser” . You know, dads go to Super Cuts so his idea was that it’s a $10 hair cut. How are you ever going to earn a living? So when when I was 27, doing the grind, I’m like, “I don’t care if I just work at SuperCuts, I just can’t do it anymore!” So I went back to school to do hair and when I moved here, I got lucky. I networked with some people and I got in a small salon. I was able to apprentice under some great hairdressers. They taught me what I needed to know.
So, you had a job you hated and you were like, what do I actually like?
Uh huh, yeah. And I think too in college, I [thought], let me just get my degree in business. But halfway through that, I [thought] maybe I will open a salon someday and this will be the background for that portion of it. I need to eventually go back to school to do hair because that’s what I want to do. It started in college. I would do my sorority sisters’ and my girlfriends’ hair. We even toyed around with highlighting, even though I didn’t know what I was doing. *laughs *
Where did you go to college?
Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches then, I moved here. And I worked for a couple years and ended up in Houston (that's the software company) and had my midlife crisis early. So that’s done and it’s over!
Did you meet people through friends or being out?
Being out, I did a lot of networking. I think it’s different now. Now, you need to do more instagramming and [social media]. People don’t find their hairdressers the way they used to -word of mouth. Now people go on Instagram and search the hashtags and they find hairdressers.[S: I def used Yelp and this makes me feel old]
But then, that’s how people did it. Or, simply doing people’s hair, [new clients] find out about you. I did some networking groups. I was a Tri-Delt in college so, I joined the alumni organization. I met a ton of people and got a ton of clients that way. I met a friend who had a non-profit. She did a ton of events with young people and I was able to meet a lot of people that way. Which was fun but tiring because you’re always out socializing and then, the job is socializing but that's what you gotta do.
Suggestions for making a career change?
It’s never too late and for me, I think I lucked out because I was 27 and still young. So it’s just easier to start over when you’ve just barely started yourself. But life is too short to have a job you hate. I just couldn't and I wouldn’t want anyone to have to do that.
It’s just honestly, it’s such a cool, awesome great industry. I love the beauty industry and I do love my job. And I would just like, if anyone is like thinking about doing it or maybe wanted to but they are too scared to, there’s so much you can do in this industry, it’s so fun and I just love it. And I would just recommend to anyone, to go for their dreams!