Check Out Sera Sloane’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sera Sloane.

Hi Sera, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My life really started when I moved to NYC in the late 90s for fashion school. I was djing and cutting hair in my dorm room, which wasn’t my first bedroom salon. The first was when I was 16. My mom was an interior decorator and she always supported me in changing the look and feel of my room whenever I felt like it. Which was often. And I didn’t know then how much these early experiences in my life would play into my story as the years unfolded.

When I decided that I wanted to be a professional hairdresser, I wanted to make sure I felt I had enough educational armor before I went out on my own. I attended formal beauty school, had multiple apprenticeships, and then after graduating from Bumble and Bumble’s continued education assistant program, I had my first chair in their downtown location.

It is an honor to have people trust you with their appearance. It’s not something I take lightly. I am lucky to say I have done all the things you hope for when you are a baby hairdresser. I have led hair teams for NYC fashion week, shampooed celebrities in their home sinks, traveled the world teaching for my favorite hair brand R+Co, and had my name mentioned a few times in Vogue along the way.

But to me, the real celebrities are my clients that come to my chair; the ones who have been with me 10+ years. I have been there for them with all the babies, break ups and excitements of life.

Up until March 2020, I was completely bicoastal. Then I felt it was time to make the choice to expand beyond secret private locations and open a proper storefront with my spouse in Los Angeles to serve and connect our community. Our shop, Of Your Persuasion, is our gift to Los Angeles – an inclusive shop + salon providing a safe space for queer people and our allies; a place for spontaneity and self-discovery. It’s also a physical home for artists to launch their brands and ideas. We love supporting and featuring artists and designers that bring something new and undiscovered to our clients. Sharing souvenirs from all our life experiences. It’s my most proud achievement yet, and it’s the family business I always dreamed of.

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?
Like a lot of my creative entrepreneur friends, I was officially diagnosed with ADHD in 2020. I’m realizing now that before my diagnosis, I didn’t fully feel my struggles because my ADHD made me a natural problem solver and quick thinker. With the diagnosis, I was forced to slow down and educate myself about how my mind works. Even though I have already had such an accomplished and full life, there is something about an ADHD brain that just won’t let you relax or even celebrate your accomplishments because you are already on to the next. Looking back things weren’t easy and it wasn’t a totally smooth road but I am proud that it was my own road.

I am still as obsessed with my work as I was when I first made someone feel more like themselves by cutting their hair in my bedroom in 1996. It’s important for me to speak openly and proudly of my ADHD, and since opening the store we have noticed (and are proud that) our store really attracts other ADHD brains. The lights, the visuals, the changing textures. And every time you come in it can look completely different than the last time you stopped by.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m most proud of creating an inclusive space that allows people to be free and to express and discover themselves. I’m known for undone bedhead and hair that is flexible and makes life easier while still representing the person wearing it. While a person is in my chair, they are purposely faced away from the mirror. The shop is a time machine that is intended to have you leave your troubles at the door. After you’re done with your haircut, you can shop for your fav new tee shirt or discover a local artist in the gallery or listen to a cd at our cd listening station.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I wish I knew about all things that seem so obvious to me now like, mindfulness, meditation, morning journaling and the importance of a morning routine, setting yourself up for the day, and always drink a glass of fresh lemon water before your first cup of coffee.

Also, you have the power as a hairdresser to create the life and clientele you want. You are an artist and you are allowed to choose your medium.

Contact Info:

• Website: SERASLOANE.COM
• Instagram: @SERASLOANE + @OFYOURPERSUASION

Image Credits
Sera Sloane – personal photo image Photogragher Eliza Ladensohn @elizaladensohn