Conversations with Shadia Rezk

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shadia Rezk.

Hi Shadia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started having an interest in the hair industry when I was in 9th-10th grade. I had 2 neighbors that were hairstylists and I would always ask them a ton of questions regarding the business, and watched them at work while they did their client’s hair. I was mesmerized by all of it. So by the time I was a junior in high school I made the decision to become a hairstylist. One of my neighbors suggested that I go tour the Vidal Sassoon academy in Santa Monica because the training was great and it was a very reputable school. At the time it was THE BEST beauty school you could attend. I went and toured the school right before I was graduating from high school and I fell in love. It was everything that I had hoped for it to be and more. After I graduated from high school, I got a full time job so that I could save the money to go to Sassoon. It took about a year and a half and I paid my tuition in full and started shortly after. I had a blast at school and I made some good friends that I still have to this day. After I graduated from Sassoon I got a job at a top salon in Beverly Hills. I was a floater for about 6 months and then went on to assist one of the owners for about a year before he put me on the floor as a hairstylist/colorist. So within a year and a half of assisting I was on my own at the age of 22 working in a great place. I was thrilled! I worked in Beverly Hills for about 8 years until I decided to move my business to West Hollywood. I wanted a change of pace and a younger clientele. I rented a chair from a salon in weho for about 4 years before I decided to open my own private studio with a good friend that I knew since beauty school. I was really scared and hesitant, but doing it with my friend made it a little less scary and really exciting. I was ready to fully be on my own. We worked together for about 3 years, and then shortly after Covid I decided to go completely on my own and get my own studio alone. I wanted the freedom to lease out my space when I wasn’t working, and I was ready to manage my business solely by myself. I love where I’m at now because I’m able to lease my studio out to other amazing hairstylists and have the Luxury of working part time while still keeping busy with my loyal clientele. I’m definitely a free spirit and I love to travel the world. I’m grateful that my career has allowed me the freedom to live a life I love and appreciate.

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 am a one woman show. I do everything regarding the management of my business, so needless to say I wear many different hats. Sometimes it’s difficult to disconnect and shut my brain off. As I’ve gotten older I’ve been better at disconnecting, but it’s always a work in progress.
I’ve been through a couple of recessions, and the wave of slow weeks/busy weeks wears away at me at times, and it’s difficult to find a work/life balance because of it. But being in the hair game for over 23 years has taught me that it always balances itself out in the end.
A few years ago I was faced with a health related issue and I needed a few months off from work. I wasn’t able to take that time off because I was too worried that my business would go under. So that was when I made the decision to start leasing my space out when I’m not working so should that occur again my business can stay afloat without me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in curly and textured hair, bobs, shags, and color corrections. I have a lot of clients with thick, unruly hair and over the years I’ve done extensive training on various techniques to control and manage difficult hair textures. I have clients that come see me from all over town that need corrections on their botched cuts/colors. It’s not something I signed up for, it just happened. So needless to say I have a lot of experience with fixing bad jobs. It’s always a fun project, and it keeps me on my toes.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Go that extra mile for your clients, be eager, be accommodating. There is so much more to the business than doing a beautiful job on someone’s hair. You have to just as equally develop a close personal bond with your clients. Don’t do shitty people’s hair just to make the money. It’s not worth the stress and anxiety you’ll endure, and the bad apples attract more bad apples. Don’t bring your personal problems to work. Put a smile on your face no Matter what you’re going through. Be teachable and willing to learn from others. Your ego is not your amigo, lol

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @shadiarezk
• Yelp: Hair by Shadia
• Other: https://www.vagaro.com/shadiarezk