local storiesJuly 22, 2024

Hidden Gems: Meet Kara Hengle of Taking Kara You Beauty

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Hengle

Hi Kara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
On my 4th birthday I received a plastic pretend hair care set that included a brush, fake iron + blow dryer and sheers that would not even cut paper. I soon found real scissors and a love for style and hair leading me to take on my first client at about 5 years old. The client was my always supportive younger sister. My mom was not thrilled with the results of that cut, as you could imagine. What did thrill her though was that passion being fulfilled when I eventually graduated high-school with a cosmetology license and ability to give her, my sister (finally) and others the hair of their dreams. I’ve now been doing hair for 15 years and love it just as much as I always have for so many different reasons.
I have been guided, held, supported and sometimes shoved through new levels of this career by some of the strongest, talented, most brave, intelligent, beautiful, badass, artists and women I’ve ever met. I am the hairstylist I am today because of their support. Thank you ladies.

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?
I’d say my road as an artist has been both very smooth and not at the same time. It’s been smooth in the way that I have always known I want to create and that I loved fashion and anything beautiful. I was not confused about that. The road has been a little more rough in the way of learning to provide for myself and my son through art. Learning that perfectionism can be a benefit and detriment to your art has been a process also.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Taking Kara You Beauty?
I call my business “Taking Kara you” for many reasons. As a reminder to take care of you first and because that’s truly what I feel like I am doing. I feel like I am caring for another person in a way that is special. I am a listener, a space being held, and more. Feeling like I am making a difference in not just someone’s appearance but in their day or maybe even life. I’m always open to what the appointment needs. A laugh, a quiet space, a spa like day, a full on work sesh for the client and I. I never know what each client will bring to me and it’s pretty incredible to ride that wave all day.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
A lot of people deserve credit honestly. So if you’re ready, here we go… My family and childhood best friend Cori for being my guinea pigs and supporters my whole life. Letting me mess them up while I learn instead of paying customers. I cried after doing my first men’s clipper cut on my dad. It was horrific and I felt terrible but had my co worker Ashley to help push me through and tell me about her same experience with her dad. My sister was my first haircut ever and my first big color correction with her friends mom’s help.
My cosmetology teacher and classmates for helping make sure that I was able to graduate and go take my cosmetology state board test by paying the remainder of my school fees. My family was going through a lot financially at the time and I was a teen mom. So I was kinda on my own at that point.
During my cosmetology school I started interning at a salon that changed my life forever. I met so many people there who had a cosmic effect on my life. Every single stylist there was like another sister, aunt or mother taking me under their wing to help me succeed. The owner, Melissa Palmquist, is the reason I got over my fear of messing someone’s hair up and am even really a hairstylist today. She believed in me and when I was thinking I was going to do nails she encouraged me to learn more. I am forever grateful for that. I met my best friend of now almost 20 years there who also helped to train me as a hairstylist and perfectionist in my work. She was the first person I also saw truly take care of herself and that has always inspired me.

(They start trying to play me off with the music but I have more)

I happened to meet my ex husband there, who believed I could do more with my craft than be in a salon. He really encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and work for myself doing freelance work. I now love going on shoots, doing small weddings and providing other hair/makeup/glitter services outside of the salon.

The next person I need to thank is the owner of the salon I rent a chair in currently, the manager Letty and every single stylist that works with me there. They are incredible artists who have also always encouraged me to go after more than sometimes I think I am capable of. They all have been so supportive of me and my career and are always there for me in ways I couldn’t have ever imagined.
I know I may have forgotten a few things. I am just so lucky and eternally grateful for all of the help, support and love I’ve received and do currently in my life to get to this point and go further.

Pricing:

Women’s haircuts- starting at $100
Highlight services- starting at $150
Hair color services- starting at $100
Freelance work – “1/2 day” or “full day” rate

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Katie Cole

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