Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofie Pok.
Hi Sofie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was entering college like most kids were doing and trying to follow a dream our parents wanted for us. To pursue higher education and get a degree. I found myself lost within the first two years and started dropping out to take a break from academics. After class one of the days, my friend asked me to cut her hair. I had zero ideas what I would be doing but I was just going with the flow and said sure. I dust her ends off with my paper construction scissors and call it a day. She loved it and said since you don’t know what you want to do, why don’t you go to hair school? The light bulb went off in my head and I got enrolled about a semester and a half later. It saddened my family when they found out where I was going to spend my time. Looking back, they had no idea and neither did I. All I knew was that I needed a major change. Once I got in, I realized I didn’t enjoy long women’s cuts or colors and drifted to shorter cuts using clippers.
By my 2nd year in the industry, I went full-time into barbering. I invested whenever I could in my tools and spent most of my days in the barbershop back in orange county at the time. Four years later, I was in a great place. Fully booked and making good money but I felt too comfortable. I didn’t feel like things were challenging anymore so I decided to move to a new shop in LA. Timing was crazy because at the moment I was going thru this in my head, I found a shop that would hire me. I moved to LA with big dreams and not knowing what to expect. I hit a big reality check and all my loyal clients dropped out. They couldn’t make the longer drive and I was back to square 1. It taught me a lot. Way more competitive and a lot more expensive. Took me about two years from moving to get a flow going that made sense. At this point, I had roughly 20k followers on ig that I built and got noticed by a big clipper company Babyliss Pro. They took a chance on me to give me a role as a platform educator that has allowed me travel the world. I’ve been to now 19 countries and 26 states! Being an educator also helped me in content creating which then led me to Co-creating a gender-neutral product line STMNT GROOMING GOODS. This was a major and a dream most of us have as barbers and stylists.
We currently have 14 products under the line with more being developed on the way 😉 Being in this industry really helped me find my voice to share what means a lot to me and being able to connect with people around the world. It gave me the freedom to also be who I wanted and not be afraid of judgment. I never asked to be known for something or to be popular. It was a means of putting out my best work to showcase that barbering was more than just a cut. It’s a way of life for the community and the artist behind the chair. It’s also a vehicle that opens up new extended doors because now it has also led me to videography and photography. It’s a big network of ways to stay connected to the things we enjoy. Hair is so universal and everyone needs it at some point. I’m thankful to be in a position to uplift anyone in my chair or classroom.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing worth having comes easy. The struggles really never go away. Every new level has its obstacles. In the early stages, it was finding clients to trust a “female barber”. Skin fades are also very hard to learn and trying to get a smooth blend on different head shapes and hair textures. It took so much repetition and practice. Being in a male-dominated field I was Working against judgment in the shop from customers and co-workers and working thru some personal fears as well. I got into the industry super shy and introverted. I hardly could hold a conversation with my clients. Public speaking has been a dark shadow over me my whole childhood and so to break out of that in such a social environment like a Barbershop was definitely new for me but I am naturally very competitive so I’m always up for the challenge. Little by little I faced each new challenge again and again til I got easier.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Within the entire hair industry, I specialize in barbering like a range of cutting styles. I would say my work is a cross between hairstylists & barbers due to my background in education and interest. I’m most proud of my attention to detail and my urge to find new challenges to keep me on a consistent growing climb. What sets me apart is my ability to see things in a more optimistic state of mind when I’m faced with obstacles. I’m not afraid of failing and I’m 100% invested into my work all around. There’s nothing I wouldn’t buy for it and no amount of time I wouldn’t give to research for. I take pride in my work to show things in the best light and making time to connect to my community.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Credit to mom and family for trusting my decisions even if they didn’t understand it. My gf Valerie Ramirez for always supporting my ideas and pushing me to think more deeply. Her honest perspective over the years have helped me grow into the businesswoman I am today. Shoutout to my so many friends I’ve made in the industry. For sharing their wisdom with me and inspiring me through all these years and supporting me!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/staygold31
- Youtube: Youtube.com/sofiestaygold
