Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Harper.
Hi Rachel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The idea of being a hairstylist begun when I was in high school, the thought of using my artistic abilities to make women feel beautiful felt purposeful. As a young teenager, I enjoyed creating different styles and colors on my own hair. But, instead of going to Cosmetology School after finishing high school, I decided to go to college and pursue a degree. Other influences and outside factors lead to me to believe that I could not make a good living as a hairstylist due to being a different time in life. Needless to say, college definitely was not for me, and if it wasn’t for my mom who continued to support me and encourage me to go to hair school, my dream and career today would not have been possible. I took the leap of faith and enrolled in Rogers Hair Academy Sassoon Connection School in Evansville, IN. To say it was not easy from the start was an understatement. On top of school, I was also working part-time. I would go to school from 9am-3:30pm, then straight to work from 4-9:30pm. Doing this almost every day was exhausting, but something inside continued to keep telling me to push through. School was definitely a learning curve, I actually thought at the time I wasn’t going to be talented at this career because I started with perms and roller sets. Then, we began haircoloring class. I fell in love with the idea of color theory and absorbed every detail like a sponge. Both my mother and grandmother were artists, so loving color theory was almost inscribed into my DNA. I thrived in this near the end of my schooling and then I graduated with the dream of becoming a colorist in Los Angeles.
I continued my career as a colorist and rented at a salon in Newburgh, IN for about 5 years. I met my husband Tyler 2 years into my career, and he supported my LA dream. If it was not for him, my dream would not be possible. He continued to push me out of my comfort zone lovingly. I thrived as a hair stylist in Indiana and had a roster of amazing clients who also supported me. The stars started to align, and even though I was scared to death to leave everything I’ve known into a new city and a new life, I was ready to achieve my dream of not only being an LA hair stylist but also having dream weather and living by the beach. Little did I know my life would change forever.
Fast forward to now, I have done things never in my wildest dreams I would imagine doing. I have had an array of clients who work as influencers, producers, have tv show segments on the Ellen Show, actresses, doctors, nurses, lawyers, stay at home mothers, and many more. I worked as a hairstylist in Brentwood LA for about two years, where I met one of my closest friends and a talented hairstylist, James Wilson. Through her, I also met a celebrity hairstylist who I had looked up to for years, Bradley Leake. We are now a team together, and I now have had opportunities that have been graciously given to me through this team such as working on a tv show alongside Bradley, commercials, and a shoot for People Magazine. Soon, I will be taking clients in Santa Monica at Bradley’s chic salon he is creating, Brdy Jay Salon. The young girl in hair school would never believe that I am writing all of this out today. Even though this is my story now, I believe in my heart that it has only just begun.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been an easy smooth ride. My husband and I have dreamed of moving to LA for 5 years, Tyler and I moved a month before pandemic hit the United States. The salons were closed most of 2020 and some of 2021, It made building a clientele and having opportunities given to me a lot more difficult. It was hard to navigate into a new city, let alone during a pandemic.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a hairstylist who specializes in balayage, handtied extensions, event hair, blowouts, and long whispy haircutting. I am known for making hair look very natural and lived in, with a dreamy bombshell style attached to it. I am most proud of being humble, and my ability to always look to learn more about myself and my craft. What sets me apart from others is that I truly value my relationships with my clients. I want to know all the beautiful things about their life including their pets name, how they met their loved one, and their dreams and aspirations.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
What I learned about the Covid 19 crisis is how can I love others better. Respect is so key when it comes to crisis in general. Respecting one another in opinions, values, and what their boundaries are. We could all do a little better at that to understand the world we live in. Everything in life is so temporary.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hairbyrachelharper
- Other: www.tiktok.com/hairstylistlife
Image Credits
Bret and Brandie Nowak
