Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Griffin.
Meg, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I think a lot of who I am as a person came from growing up in Ventura County. Just about an hour north of LA. Having family in Ojai, I spent a lot of time around very creative people who introduced me to many different artistic outlets. As a teen I always knew I would be some kind of artist and would incorporate my passion for photography, painting and beauty into my career. I also credit who I am to Ventura, this city is known for its punk rock scene and I found myself surrounded by musicians who needed to look good on stage and soon, I found myself doing their hair backstage before shows. Those early years of my life pushed me to create a job to fit into my world so I wouldn’t have to conform into theirs.
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’ve defiantly had my struggles in the 13 years I’ve been doing hair. I assisted for my first year under an amazing hairstylist Marc Stewart. He was a protege of Horst Rechelbacher and gave me such a great first year of classical training. Unfortunately, I started doing hair in 2008 which was not a great year for any small business, this left me rushing to find somewhere new. I assisted for a month at another salon and it didn’t work either, so I went to a chain salon for a few years as a manager until I moved to Atlanta in 2015. It was a tough six years living away from California, but I made it work and was able to establish a good clientele for myself, I was feeling happy and made great friends and a wonderful salon to call home; then with Covid this last year my world; along with many other people, got turned upside down. I had to move with only four weeks notice back to California, little did I know this move was going to be the best move for my career.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In Atlanta, I hit the ground running. I got a job working for a bridal company as a traveling artist on the weekends. The company I worked with was one of top 5 on the knot in the Atlanta metro. From there, I made some amazing connections within the ATL hair community and got an opportunity to perform on stage for No Name Education, which is an uplifting, judgment-free, LBGTQ friendly hair education company owned by Jasmine Howard and Caitlyn Duffy. Well, that guest artist spot inspired me so much that I ended up taking a leap of faith and just started saving money to attend every class I could. I first invested in a Toyko Hair Cutting class with Masahiro Kurosawa a two days look & learn event put on by Kenue.
Next, I won a trip from a work contest to NYC for a R+CO Hair Show, Electric House, featuring hair legends Howard Mclaren, Garren, and Thom Priano. That hair show was such a humbling experience and I met so many talented humans and was in awe from the artistic beauty in that room. The last accomplishment I like to touch on is, back in 2019 I went after my dream of becoming an educator. I applied for a job with the color company I use. With the help of my boss and a very silly YouTube interview video, I had to make I was able to land a job as an educator with Schwarzkopf Professional. This company inspires and pushes me everyday with the team of educators and influences that are a part of this brand. They continue to amaze me and I love to say I’m an ASK Expert!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Success is HARD! Period. No one is going to do the work for you. I used to hate the phrase “trust the process.” I always wanted it now and didn’t understand why things weren’t easier. Now I understand you have to work your butt off for what you want, so you appreciate it. I wouldn’t trade the years of tears, hard lessons and broken trust for anything. It made me stronger and I know I can weather any storm. I will always and forever now Trust the Process.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixelate_hair/
Image Credits:
Photo of me at No Name Education event provided by Stevien Sayer an Atlanta based Photographer @stevienysayer
