Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Welch
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Whitney Welch is the owner of Branded Grooming and has over eleven years of industry experience. She began her training at Paul Mitchell The School in St. Louis, where she fell in love with both men’s haircutting and makeup artistry. After graduating, she left her hometown in pursuit of a career in Chicago. Upon arriving, she quickly became a part of the unique men’s salon culture and worked for top salons where she trained with American Crew and Kevin Murphy.
Branded Grooming started out as a business catered to men’s hair based off of her experience in the field. However, as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community herself, Whitney saw the need for gender affirming beauty businesses and has transitioned to gender neutral barbering catering to anyone seeking trendy, short haircuts.
In 2024 Whitney decided to expand outside of her Chicago network and is currently working on building a clientele in St. Louis. In an effort to be near family and friends more she is currently splitting time between both cities. While in St. Louis she has found a space at Saturn Salon. It is a wonderful match full of creativity, inclusivity and really wonderful people. St. Louis has always had a great heart to it and as I’ve grown I find myself being called back to the city that inspired my career from the start.
Currently, Whitney focuses her energy full-time on gender neutral barbering and haircutting.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I was 19 I had a change of heart and abandoned my college track scholarship in pursuit of cosmetology school. This was a shock to my parents and everyone around me. I was ridiculously determined to follow my gut, despite doubts from those around me I enrolled. I worked several jobs and put myself through the part time evening program at Paul Mitchel The School St. Louis. Upon graduation I made a plan to move to Chicago, where I continued to work 2-3 jobs at a time to support myself. This was another major life decision where those around me had their doubts in how I could make it all work but I had a vision of being a full time hairstylist and wasn’t going to let anything stop me. I’m proud to say nothing did. I was a server, make up artist and hairstylist for years up until finding a salon that was busy enough to give me full time hours. Thanks to a fellow St. Louis hairstylist, she recommended me for a job and from there on that changed the course of my career. I opened my business a couple years later at 26 years old. I realized the frustrations I had were industry wide issues. In order to make any change I felt I needed to work for myself. I’ve now been self employed for 6 years. All the struggles have been absolutely worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Technically speaking, I’m a licensed cosmetologist. When I started school I had no idea I would find a passion for short hair cutting. At the time the industry (and world!) was very different. There were men’s salons and traditional women’s salons and that was really it. In an effort to bypass doing any longer cuts or color, I started working at an upscale men’s salon in Chicago. This allowed me to gain experience cutting short hair. By the time I branched out on my own, because of my previous clientele I marketed myself as a men’s stylist. I had my own personal journey as a short haired person and feeling frustrated that I was paying women’s prices for a much quicker haircut, regardless of my length. I realized our industry is severely lacking inclusive spaces that don’t cater to haircuts based on gender. The thing I am most proud of is transitioning out of the “men’s salon” space and into “gender neutral barbering.” At the end of the day, we all want a haircut that looks good but we also want to feel safe, seen and heard. I pride myself on being a safe and inclusive space for anyone seeking short haircuts!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Not to take things personal. The beauty industry can be full of ego. I want to be a confident person but I know There will always be someone more skilled, creative, or just a better fit for a client than me. And that’s okay! There are enough stylists and clients out there for everyone.
Pricing:
- $55 Barber Cut
- $75 Transformation Cut
- Haircut & Beard Trim $70
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brandedgrooming.com/bio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandedgrooming/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandedgrooming/
