Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Pearson
Hi Heather, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi, thank you for highlighting my story! I started cosmetology school in 2013 at Alvareita’s in Edwardsville, Illinois. I excelled in theory but struggled with my confidence on the floor for quite some time. After graduating, it took me a few years to find my way but I believe there’s a reason or lesson from everything. I started independently at The Works in Jerseyville. I learned many things from matrix educator and owner Leigh Blackorby while there, but struggled with building a clientele and the business aspect side of things. I decided I needed to quit altogether or try another location. I then joined Brooke Bosomworth at B. E. Stylin in Godfrey. I found a groove, a bit of confidence and started a foundation here but was looking to level up and thought going back “home” could increase my clientele further. I moved to Tresses in Granite City, with the hopes of possibly taking over this location once the owner, Kathy Byrd, retired. I ultimately decided this wasn’t the right move for me. I needed to be familiarized with truly running a business before I took on this kind of venture. In June 2018 I decided to take a step back, and accepted an apprentice position with Valerie Baumann, owner of the now VSalon By Valerie. I know some were probably baffled at this choice but I received exactly what I was lacking from it. Confidence and business savvy-ness! I grew pretty organically until shutdown in 2020. I jokingly say all the time that the one good thing that Covid did for me was spark my own personal curl journey. Once I started bringing my curls to life, it inspired me behind the chair to help others. Since focusing my time and education on curls I have grown exponentially and I am extremely grateful. I believe my personal understanding of how they behave has helped me thrive. The endless passion I have for it makes me excited to work and help people fall in love with them, too! I look back often and think to myself, ‘I’m so glad I didn’t quit.’
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, but are any of us really being honest if we say there’s never any bumps in the road? I think in the beginning, my biggest obstacle was myself, my insecurities and lack of confidence. Imposter syndrome (this one I still battle). I do believe that repetition and practice can help you get over *almost* anything if you want it bad enough. But also, someone rooting for you and supporting you is just as important! The other obstacle for me has been grief. Working a very interactive, a very “people-y” job while going through your toughest moments is trying. I lost my father, my grandmother and my niece in a 3 year span, and interestingly this is the time frame my growth really took off. How amazing is it that I can say I experienced the most growth during my toughest moments?! It’s all taught me a lot about life that some won’t realize until much later in theirs. It makes me better at my job and connecting with people in vulnerable moments. It’s so important to remember we all go through things. We’re humans, not robots.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been a licensed cosmetologist for 11 years. My current title is manager/master stylist for VSalon in Alton, Illinois. I have been here for almost 7 years. I absolutely adore working on curly hair but I also love lived-in color, creative color and formal hair. My coworkers often refer to me as the “curl queen” or “curl tutor”. I have been curl focused for the last 5 years of my career and hope to continue to advance my education and services in that category. I am most proud of feeling that I help clients truly discover what their hair is capable of. I think that the client experience is important and slowing down to really explain the why and answer questions is where clients discover that they can do this at home too. If a client comes in and receives a fantastic service but can’t recreate it once back home, we haven’t done our job thoroughly. I also believe that my empathetic/introverted nature helps people feel like they can be themselves while in my chair. That’s why I have “come as you are” in my Instagram bio.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I actually graduated high school with a 5.1, and aspired to be a pharmacist or do something with a chemistry degree. I had focused so much of my time on academics that by the time that first semester at SIUE hit, I had hit a wall. I tried “traditional” college 2 more times after that and ultimately gave up. After a few different jobs, a coworker at St. Louis Bread Co. (thank you, Amber!) recommended cosmetology school once she saw my passion for doing nails and coloring my hair. I have a bit of guilt sometimes that I’m not the stylist that knew they wanted to be a stylist from the start, or that it didn’t naturally occur to me. But that just shows you that life has a way of doing things. Here I am focusing on curly hair all these years later and surprisingly, I still have a job that deals with chemistry! Thank you all for taking the time to read. I am accepting daytime clients, you can find me on instagram with the handle @heatherpearsonhair_ or book directly at VSalonbyValerie.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Vsalonbyvalerie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherpearsonhair_/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/heatherpearsonhair/
Image Credits
Korin Fisher Photography (pictures with orange shirt)
Aryn Hanebrink Photography (pictures with flower shirt)
