The many me’s- A re-introduction
Some of ya’ll might already know me, or think you know me or wonder wtf I’m doing and who the heck I think I am.
Girl, same.
Me and my beauty business have undergone so many changes in the past 5 years, it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin, especially mine. It’s been hard for me to digest because consistency is one of the values that I used to cling to so tightly and the only thing that’s been consistent over these past few years has been chaos.
It’s crazy to think about all of the different versions of myself I’ve been, throughout my growing up process as a business owner. Historically, I’ve always been a reflector; meaning I reflect often on who I am, how I treat people, how I want to be perceived. I know that I want to show up authentically, I want to be loving to the people around me & I want to share knowledge. These are the values that drive me forward in this journey through creative entrepreneurship.
I also know that my physical body, as well as my mind, isn’t a hairstylist anymore. This is something that I’ve long been hinting at but I hadn’t yet been brave enough to let go of until recently. That’s probably because it’s all I’ve ever known and it was the first thing I was ever proud to introduce myself as. It’s always been an interesting answer to a boring question, a conversation starter, if you will:
“So, what do you do for a living?”
“I’m a hairstylist” and their eyes would light up, or they’d touch their hair self-consciously in the presence of my expert eye. Aw, I can still remember how that used to make me feel.
Being a hairstylist has been my backstage pass so many of my wildest dreams, as well as my front row seat to people’s beautiful lives; People who I’d likely never have met if they hadn't happened into my chair. I will always be a hairdresser in my heart, but right now my heart (and my back) is screaming not to be standing behind a chair.
It’s been tougher than expected to let go of that part of myself but I know that chapter has closed. I know because I recently tried to go back, when shit hit the fan for my salon (again) and I felt…instant regret that I was putting my goals on the back-burner (again). Even in the name of saving the ship, I just couldn’t do it to myself.
So, I didn't. Cue the full 180° pivot that is StylistAlicia Studios, a place that combines the beauty industry with the photography industry like the perfect little pairing that they are. (If you haven’t checked out our sneek peeks yet, you shooould! It’s so cute and there may or may not be a special giveaway happening for our June 27th grand opening celebration!)
To be honest, it still feels weird not to tell people I’m a hairstylist when asked what I do. So here, let me just practice little…
Hi, I’m Alicia. In past versions of myself, I’ve been a nanny, a grocery bagger, a waitress, a tanning bed cleaner (barf btw), a lyft driver, and for the past 15 years-a hairstylist. I’ve owned Maxwell Salon for the last 9 years and after some hurtful and unexpected circumstances, I’ve recently decided to set my salon owner hat to the side for a while and pursue something that’s been in my heart for years now- Boudoir Photography. I’m hopeful that this new career will soar by combining my past experience, my new passion and a small, rad team of humans who have stuck by my side through some rocky shit. I believe we can all reach that new level of the good life.
So let me try that one more time, with more confidence and without the backstory:
Hi, I’m Alicia. I’m a creative entrepreneur in Kitsap County and I’ve just opened a boudoir studio in Silverdale!
I’m a photographer.
Thanks for taking the time to learn about me, now I want to learn something about you,
I’m genuinely curious!
Tell me about yourself, what brings you here and what would you hope to gain by subscribing to my tips, tricks and stories?
