Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendall Glenn
Hi Kendall, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve loved hair and beauty services and products since I was a child. I loved to go to the hairdressers with my mother and would go to any appointments with her that I could. I’ve always felt at home within a salon.
When I graduated high school I wanted to go to cosmetology school, but was told by so many that I needed to have a degree and that cosmetology school would still be there for me when I was done. I tried the whole college thing and went to a private university a few hours away and absolutely hated it, but after the first semester I discovered my school was bankrupt and going to shut down. Most of my classmates were terrified by this news, but I was excited and took this as my easy way out of the academic world.
I came home and worked for a while trying to figure out my next step. I knew cosmetology school was the right choice for me, but I was worried about disappointing those around me by choosing a trade instead of a degree. Luckily I have a wonderful and supportive mother who encouraged me to go to cosmetology school. She knew I had always hated school, and that I would be much happier with a hands on career.
I started cosmetology school at Goulds Academy and knew I was in the right place immediately. Thanks to wonderful mentors and teachers like Megan Mason, Christian Bowers, Angel Damiani, Cameron Boothe, Don Inman, and Tonya Rhoades I learned so much and truly found my passion.
Cosmetology school wasn’t always the easiest, but I was surrounded by so many amazing and inspirational young women who uplifted me and taught me so much more than just hair. It’s a common stereotype that cosmetology school is full of drama and miserable, and that may be the experience for some, but my experience was nothing like that. I made so many wonderful connections, memories, and friends. The women I went to school with were incredibly kind, loving, and nurturing towards me and each other. My class mates were and are some truly incredible women.
I have since graduated and slowly but surely have started working towards my career as a blonde specialist, and it has been the most rewarding experience of my life. I want to encourage others who don’t feel they belong in the academic world to follow their passion and explore the trades. Being able to do what I love has made the biggest difference for me in my life and has absolutely transformed me as a person.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I definitely had some bumps in the beginning. Memphis can be a tricky place for finding your perfect spot, it’s full of so many salons that all have their own style, so finding which one is the best place for you can be a challenge. There’s lots of factors that need to go into your decision on where you choose to start your career. The hair industry is full of so many different personalities which is a beautiful thing, but it can make it more difficult for you to find your perfect spot.
Luckily my mentors were incredibly helpful when it came to steering me in the direction of where I needed to be. Now because of their help I get to work with one of my closest friends and mentor Angel Damiani. Memphis can be a tricky place for finding your perfect spot, it’s full of so many wonderful salons that all have their own style so finding which one is the best suit for you can be a challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
While I love to do really any beauty service, I’d say I’m the biggest fan of blonde jobs. This is why I’ve chosen to become a blonde specialist. I particularly tend to focus on hair chemistry as my mentor Megan Mason taught me that taking care of the health of my clients hair is just as important as delivering their desired results. I would say this focus on hair health within the blonde community definitely sets me apart sometimes, but I find the industry as a whole is has definitely shifted in the direction of preserving the integrity of clients hair during these services that come with the risk of hair damage.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
In this field you get what you give, if this what you really want it will show. This is an industry where you have to work for what you want. If you put in the time to learn, to practice, and to perfect your craft it will show in your work. If you give beautiful and consistent results, people will notice and they will come to you. Consistently is the bread and butter of this industry, having clients sit in your chair and know that they are going to leave happy every time is how you guarantee your success. You can post beautiful photo after beautiful photo showing your work, but if you are not consistently producing these results then you won’t have the client retention you are looking for.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Kenny_Kolors
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