My Journey in the Hair Industry

As a little girl, I would spend hours styling my Barbie’s hair, teaching myself to braid and create different styles. This was in the late ’70s—before YouTube, tutorials, or “how-to” books. I practiced relentlessly until I could finally braid my own hair.

When I played volleyball and basketball, my teammates would ask me to braid their hair during tournament trips. Seeing their excitement and confidence after I styled their hair was incredibly rewarding. Soon, friends and family started requesting styles for special occasions, and for the first time, I was offered money for my work.

Beyond hair, I loved creating fashion shows with family members—helping people feel beautiful and confident brought me so much joy. Watching their reactions was like icing on a cake.

At 17, I started working as a receptionist at a Houston salon, where I fell in love with the world of hairstyling. The creativity, the ability to transform someone’s look, and the joy of making people feel their best—it all resonated deeply with me. My high school counselor encouraged me to apply for a scholarship to a local beauty school. I told myself, If this is meant for me, I’ll win it. And I did! That was my confirmation—I was meant to be a hairstylist.

Education & Training

I began my career at the same Houston salon in 1991, where the owners took me under their wing. I quickly learned that only 10% of licensed hairstylists truly make it in the industry. That statistic became my motivation to continuously learn and refine my skills.

From my very first week, I immersed myself in advanced training. The salon brought in Pivot Point International for private in-salon classes, shaping the way I cut and styled hair. When the Toni & Guy Academy opened in Dallas, our salon attended a two-day cutting class—an experience that transformed my approach to razor cutting.

Over the years, I’ve pursued ongoing education, traveling across the country and internationally to learn from the best in the industry:

• Pivot Point Private In-Salon Class – Houston, 1992

• Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy – Dallas, 1993

• Aveda Horst Rechelbacher Motivation Symposium – Houston, 1994

• Pivot Point International – IBS New York, 2001

• Jacques Dessange – New York, 1999, 2000, 2001

• Farouk Educator Training – Boston, 2002

• Matrix Global Academy – New York, 2004

• David Raccuglia, American Crew Men’s Cutting – Boston, 2007

• Summit Salon Training – New Hampshire, 2012

• Matrix Color Mastery – New York, 2014

• Regis National Training – Calgary, 2014

• NAHA & National Hair Shows – Various locations, 2013-2015

• Headshape Matters (online training) – 2020

Career Highlights

• Opened Visible Creations Hair Studio, Inc. – 1999

• Graduated from Jacques Dessange Academy – New York, 2001

• Matrix Artistic Educator – Boston, 2010

• Matrix Salon Development Manager – North, 2011

• Regional Education Manager (REM) for Matrix – Northwest, 2013

• Photo Shoots with NAHA Nominees – 2013

• Worked Backstage at U.S. National Hair Shows

• Supported the Launch of Matrix Total Results & Stylelink

A Dream Come True with Matrix

One day, my sales rep mentioned that Matrix was looking for an educator in my area. She encouraged me to audition, and after a rigorous four-hour presentation, I earned a spot on the Matrix Team.

Becoming part of Matrix was life-changing. I received world-class education and, more importantly, learned how to teach and inspire other stylists. Traveling the country, working alongside top artists, and training fellow hairstylists felt like a dream. Some of my career highlights included managing a team of 34 artists, hosting training events for the top 50 salons in New England, and coordinating large-scale shows at venues like Mohegan Sun. I scouted locations, arranged logistics, managed technical teams, and ensured every detail was perfect.

I had the privilege of working alongside some of the industry’s greatest artists, including:

• Michael Albor

• Danielle Keasling

• Ammon Carver

• Nick Stenson

• Brian & Sandra Smith

• Gina Khan

• Daniel Roldan

• Nicholas French

• Franco Della Grazia

• Chrystofer Benson

Looking Ahead

Working at L’Oréal and Matrix was an absolute dream come true, and I am so grateful for every opportunity I had. After taking time to focus on my personal life, I’m now back behind the chair, reigniting my passion for hair at Fox + Fawn.

I’m excited for what’s next—continuing to grow, create, and inspire while bringing out the beauty in every client. My journey isn’t over; in fact, I believe the best is yet to come!