Conversations with Hilary Smiley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hilary Smiley

Hi Hilary, 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?
Hi! I’m Hilary Smiley, a licensed hairstylist of 7 years. I’m originally from Missouri and I’ve lived in LA for 10 years now. Growing up I loved being at a salon getting my hair done and always thought about a career behind the chair. I moved to LA in 2014 and because I saw how many opportunities there are in the beauty industry out here, I wanted to get my license and become a hairstylist. So, I enrolled in Paul Mitchell the School in 2015 and did their cosmetology program for 2 years. I got my license in 2017 and worked as an assistant for 2 more years until 2019 when I officially started working fully behind the chair at Butterfly Loft Salon in Encino. My first couple of years behind the chair were scary. I had to work really hard to build my clientele and social media helped a lot in getting my name out there. The hair industry is not for the weak, it requires a lot of hustle, passion, and skill to be successful.

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?
When I look back it feels like everything happened so quickly for me but in reality it was quite a struggle in the beginning, The industry is so saturated with hair stylists I worried how I was going to set myself apart from everyone else. I hustled really hard my first two years behind the chair; I handed out my business cards wherever I went, I practiced color techniques on anyone who would let me, and posted on social media everyday trying to get potential new clients into my chair. One day I realized that I was consistently booked out for 2-3 months in advance. I was so happy that I was able to build my dream clientele in such a short amount of time. Now I wake up every single morning passionate about my craft and excited to go to work.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in edgy and modern cuts and color. My clientele is very 50/50. I have a lot of creative color clients that love to do funky high contrast color blocking & two-tone hair and also natural clients that love looks like lived-in highlights & dimensional balayages on blondes, brunettes, and redheads. My clients are edgy, cool, independent people that love to change up their looks and want to invest in the best for their hair. I’m the type of stylist that is buying the best products for my clients, keeping up with the latest trends & styles, and always trying to elevate my skills.

How do you define success?
I define success as a hairstylist as more than just mastering the technical skills of cutting, coloring, and styling hair. It means building strong relationships with clients, understanding their unique needs and preferences, and delivering results that exceed their expectations. The reward of making someone happy through my work is deeply gratifying—it’s a feeling of accomplishment and joy to see their happiness and confidence after a successful transformation. The positive feedback and smiles reinforce my passion for my craft, each client’s satisfaction is a profound and motivating aspect of the hairstyling experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hilarysmiley.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hilarysmileyhair
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hilarysmileyhair