Starting Out In The Hair Industry at 19

Written by Maddy Richards, Stylist at Frankie Salon

When people think about working in a salon, I feel like they picture the end result. The perfect hair, the confidence, the finished look. The after photos shown online and the glow. But not a lot of people talk about what it looks like starting out at the very beginning.

I'm 19 and just starting out in the hair industry. And honestly it's been everything all at once. Exciting, overwhelming, inspiring, a little intimidating and completely life changing in ways I didn't expect. There's so much to learn. Not just how to do hair but how to really see it. How to understand your clients, read between the lines, and make someone feel the best version of themselves when they leave your chair. How to notice the smallest details that somehow make the biggest difference. Some days I feel like I'm soaking everything in and growing so fast. And other days...I feel like I barely scratched the surface.

Being an apprentice means you're constantly in learning mode. You're watching, asking questions, practicing, messing up, trying again and slowly building your confidence one moment at a time. Or as Niela says, "adding tools to your tool belt.” It's not always glamorous, and it definitely doesn't happen overnight. But honestly that's what makes it so worth it.

Getting to learn from Niela and Tess has been something I’m so grateful for. They’ve taught me so much already — not just about hair, but about confidence, growth, and what it really means to be intentional and care about your clients. They’ve created an environment where it feels safe to learn, ask questions, and grow into yourself, and that’s something I don’t take for granted for a second.

Working at Frankie is seriously a dream come true. Every day I get to watch transformations happen — and not just the hair. You see people walk in one way and leave lighter, more confident, and just…happier. And it’s a constant reminder of why I chose to do hair in the first place. Of course, there are still moments where I doubt myself. I catch myself wondering if I’m learning fast enough, doing enough, or comparing myself to the stylists I look up to. But if being here has taught me anything, it’s that everyone starts somewhere. No one wakes up one day just knowing how to do everything. Every stylist I admire was once exactly where I am — learning, growing, and figuring it out day by day.

So right now, I’m focusing on staying open, staying curious, and showing up as the best version of myself every day. Because being 19 in this industry isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about building something. It’s about growing into your confidence, finding your style, discovering your voice, and becoming someone people can trust. And even though I’m just at the beginning, I know one thing for sure — I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.