From Student to Success: An Inspiring Interview with a TSPA Alumni January 28, 2025

DK: “I was always doing my friend’s hair for homecoming and playing with my sister’s hair. I was always super interested in everything beauty. I didn’t consider it as an actual career because of the stigmas around cosmetology until I did research about the career. There are so many different routes you can take in this field. Then I decided to sign up my senior year of high school & started the October after I graduated!”

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DK: “After getting licensed it all happened pretty quick. I started at Quinn’s the Monday after I graduated and I started on desk there for about a week while I was passing state boards. After that, I jumped right into it! I started assisting Quinn one day a week and the other days I was getting my models in for nails, cuts, and color while I learned the products in the salon. Getting my color models in and being able to start taking color clients in the salon was a huge milestone for me. Quinn is really connected in the community so she would send clients in to get a blowout service from me. I was able to create connections with these people and rebook them. Once they’ve been in your chair 3 times they keep coming back. They also refer other clients to me because they love the service I provide to them.”

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DK: “In school I looked forward to the days where I had clients that I was really excited about. Even with the clients I was more nervous about, I knew it was good to have that experience just to learn everything. Compared to at the salon, I get to hone in on what I really love to do. I don’t do a lot of men’s cuts or perms. I’ve been focusing on color & women’s cuts and that’s what I’m passionate about. At school you learn everything, then once you learn everything you know what you like.”

S: Exactly! And that’s what’s nice because you have so many options when you learn the entire career field. You can focus on the skills that you love to create and explore all the other options cosmetology has to offer.

DK: “Yes! For example, in school, I didn’t enjoy doing nails as much as hair. But now, in the salon, I love doing manicures and pedicures. Once you’re in a salon it becomes your space and you get to make it your own.”

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DK: “I’m seeing a lot of lived-in looks. That’s a lot of what I do. Anything low-maintenance is better for your hair health and better for the longevity of it. You don’t have to keep coming in all the time for that. My clients ask for that a lot of the time, “something that’s gonna grow out soft because I don’t like the harsh lines” is something I hear every appointment. So I feel like that [soft, lived-in look] is really popular right now. And extensions- they’re becoming more and more popular & that’s something I’m looking forward to learning.”

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DK: “I feel like I focused on social media and learned a lot about it in school. That was really nice because I have a good understanding of that & how important it is to market yourself. In this industry, you connect with people so often and spend so much time & get personal with them.. I learned that you have to open yourself up to people and you build relationships with your clients. I’ve met so many different people in different parts of their lives & that is one of the best parts about being in this field.”

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DK: “There were some points where I felt a little bit stuck.. with wanting to get better at something but I didn’t know exactly how to. But then any time I had a question I’d ask my instructors and they’d completely explain it to me. At first I just felt like I had to learn it all on my own but realized that I didn’t. There are people all around me learning the same thing and my instructors were there to teach me but I felt like it was hard for me to take help at first. Once I became open to that I learned so much more & everything clicked.”

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DK: “I know Quinn personally & my mom is really good friends with her so that connection has helped. It’s been great because she is so open to teaching me and she wants me to do well. I kind of feel like a lot of people think once they’re done with school they’re done with education but it’s really just the start. It’s so important for you to expand more on education once you’re done with school. Whether it’s classes you go to or an associate program like I’m in. I was a little nervous to start a program but where I’m at I can take my own clients while also having someone coach me and teach me along the way. Quinn and the other senior stylists I work with have been the best mentors to me.”

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DK: “I used to beat myself up over my work all the time. I used to nitpick over all my work and cry over it sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up, and remember that you’re still learning. Be confident in what you do, because as the stylist- we see every little flaw, but the client usually loves the end result. Trust yourself and it will be okay! Also, be open to services that you’re nervous about. It’s good to know and be open to everything you’re learning in school.”

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DK: “Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. Everyone learns at their own pace. There would be times I’d think “How are you so good at that updo, braid etc.?” But then I realized that it takes me a little more time to learn that specific skill. It’s okay to learn in my own time and it doesn’t mean that I’m failing. With timing too, it used to stress me out that I took so long to foil but I feel like that paid off because I don’t skip out on anything. And now my time has gotten a lot faster just by continuing to practice & do every step even if it takes a little bit longer.”

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DK: “It’s only a year, so try it out and see if you love it! I knew it was always something I wanted to try and now I’ve started my career and I’m so happy that I started.”

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You can schedule a service with Delaney at Quinn Vise Hair & Co. in Holland!

Do you want to start a new career in as little as a year doing something you absolutely love? Reach out to our team at The Salon Professional Academy. Book a tour using our link  below to change your life through an esthetic or cosmetology career! Call admissions at (616) 300-1352 to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Written by: Sam Relyea