What I Wish Every Baby Hairdresser Knew

My own journey started in a small town with just my ego and a year of cosmetology school under my belt. I had been working as a stylist for about a year before I moved to the ‘big city’ of Vancouver and got busted back to assistant real quick… I had met Billy Wallace, A Vidal Sassoon educator, a strict Scottish teacher/mentor. who didn’t take any crap. I could barely understand what he was saying for the first month or so, and my ego was hurt but I got over it. I also have no regrets.  I can tell you that now I'm one of those six figure stylists, the ones who get talked about on instagram? It's me. 
One of the biggest lessons I learned from BIlly?... Clean sectioning. If my lines weren’t straight and precise, he’d make me take it all down and start again. At the time, it felt frustrating — but it taught me discipline, focus, and the importance of respecting the foundations of our craft. Looking back, that lesson shaped everything I became as a stylist.
So, if you’re standing behind the chair for the first time, feeling nervous, excited, and maybe a little unsure — know this: every stylist you admire started out as a “baby hairdresser” too. And the way you approach these early days will set the tone for the career you create.
Here’s 8 mini lessons that I think are super important, right from the very beginning:





1. Respect the Basics
Don’t rush through the foundations. Clean sectioning, a proper consultation, holding your comb correctly — these may feel simple, but they separate a good stylist from a great one. Mastery starts with discipline in the details.
2. Posture Matters — Yours and Your Client’s
Stand tall, relax your shoulders, and adjust your client’s chair so you’re not hunching or twisting. Protect your back and hands from the start, because this career is physically demanding. At the same time, make sure your client is sitting comfortably, straight and supported. No Crossed legs…crooked spines means crooked lines.
3. Listen More Than You Talk
Clients may come for the cut or color, but they stay because of how you make them feel. Listen carefully, repeat back what you’ve heard, and check in throughout the service. Great communication builds trust faster than any trendy balayage technique.
4. Don’t Chase Perfection — Chase Progress
You won’t get it right every single time, and that’s okay. Each head of hair is a chance to grow. Focus on learning, improving, and saying, “I’ll get better every day.” Perfection comes with time and practice.
5. Invest in Education
The industry evolves quickly. Stay curious. Take classes, watch tutorials, ask questions. Education is your fuel for growth, and it will set you apart from stylists who stop learning once they graduate.
6. Take Care of Yourself
This is a physical, demanding career. Wear good shoes. Stay hydrated. Protect your back and hands. Burnout is real, but so is longevity when you prioritize your health. Set boundries…this is probably one of the hardest lessons, and I'm still practising it today. Clients will test you and some might even try to bully you. Keep it professional, if they want something you know won't work for their hair or their lifestyle. Tell them - be kind but firm. 
7. The Power of Presence
Show up early. Be prepared. Be present. Energy is contagious, and when clients feel your present, knowing that the time they have booked with you is about them, they’ll remember you — and they’ll rebook. Your presence behind the chair is just as important as your technical skill.
8. Remember Why You Started
At the end of the day, hairdressing isn’t just about hair. It’s about people. You’re giving confidence, joy, and sometimes even healing. That’s a gift — never forget it.





Final Thoughts - One day, you’ll look back at these early, nerve-wracking days and smile. You’ll realize you’re no longer the “baby hairdresser” — you’re the mentor, the role model, the one guiding someone else through their first shaky haircut. And trust me — that moment will feel even better than your first perfect bob cut. Stay humble, stay curious, and keep moving forward. Your career is just beginning, and it’s going to be beautiful.

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