Q. Becoming a master hair colorist/stylist is no easy task- what's your path been like?
A. I always wanted to be open-minded. There are so many things that inspire me. I guess I never stopped being a student. I still take classes, I just finished a 6-month course for hair extensions and signed up for another 18-month course in advance educations. I want my skills and knowledge to be up to date so my guests can have what they want and beyond. It's always fun though I really enjoy doing that.
Q. How different is your career than you imagined it to be?
A. I always imagined that I was going to have fun doing this, but I never imagined that after moving out of my country and starting my life over I would still be working in the same industry.
Q. This last year you have overcome an enormous obstacle, you are officially a breast cancer survivor. How has that journey changed your life and has it affected your career and priorities?
A. It has been a blessing. I’m way happier than ever before because I don’t take anything seriously anymore and I simply enjoy my life. I have gratitude towards everything. You know, when you get a second chance at life you just appreciate things more; your priorities are more clear and that leads to joyful experiences. Life should be just that! It took cancer for me to realize it, but I'm glad I did. With that being said, I do things differently so having my own salon suite was the next logical step for me. It didn't feel like a huge risk that I used to fear which stopped me doing things. I am just eager to see how 2020 unfolds.
Q. On top of being a badass hair wizard and breast cancer survivor, you’re also a mom to a very lucky young man. How would you feel if your son wanted to follow in your footsteps and get into the hair industry?
A. That would be cool! Whatever that makes him experience joy I would be the biggest supporter of.
Q. Looking back at Kaz, starting off in hair school, did you ever think you would have your own salon and be fully booked for weeks in advance?
A. I guess I did. HAHA. It was so long ago.
Q. What is your most prized accomplishment thus far?
A. Before I went through chemotherapy I was afraid to put toxins in my body and lose my hair. I was afraid of it destroying me before it destroyed the cancer, but I was also afraid that if I didn’t do anything, cancer would eat me up so I chose to have chemo.
I made the decision scared, scared of the unknown, scared of being depressed. So I quickly took actions to get ahead of the fear. I researched how to detox my body and found every way to make the journey as comfortable as possible. I tried everything from acupuncture to infrared sauna. These actions helped minimize the side effects but as the treatment progressed, my body got weaker and sicker. At that moment I realized my life was so simple, I had only one task that was to feel better. That was it! Nothing else mattered. So I started counting my blessings. I also had huge support from so many people. Always cheering me up and helping me do things around my house, bring me food and you Sarah, gave me the blonde wig that I cut into a short bob and I loved that so much! Thank you so much for that.
I immediately felt better after the treatment was over. It was so beautiful to see my body regenerating. And the first time I saw my hair came back? Oooh that was the best feeling ever. Seriously our body is so resilient and being positive through a difficult time is not easy but possible when you can maintain your positive energy. You start noticing only positive things like gratitude, love from others and your own strength I was genuinely happy. I was creating my own reality. To know that is possible and always available for me to tap into was my biggest accomplishment in life.
Q. Words to live by?
A. Ease and Flow
