Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Lynn.
Hi Abby, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I also had a passion for working for myself and creating something of my own. The cycle of working a dead end job, 5 days a week, the same schedule everyday truly made my mind spin. It just wasn’t for me.I always had the drive to create something of my own, from lemonade stands on the side of the road to trying to design my own clothing line in middle school, the spark was always there. I wanted to go down a different path even though everyone was in my ear about getting a 9-5 and playing it safe, but I knew it would not make me happy.
In high school, I eventually accepted that I would go to college, play soccer, get a business degree and figure out the rest later with no real plan. After my senior season of high school soccer, I got injured and diagnosed with CRPS in my knee which took the opportunity to continue playing in college away. This destroyed me because now the plan I had spent so long accepting was up in flames. I was only going to college to play soccer, the rest was going to get figured out after. So without soccer, there was no point for me. With the support of my mom during this time, I decided it wasn’t right for me and wouldn’t accept any college positions. I really sunk into a dark space mentally and it was hard. I always credit my mom for getting me out of that headspace because she signed me up for an interview at a salon to be a salon receptionist. At the beginning, I hated it because I did not belong in a salon. As time went on, I did fall in love with the environment, the girls, and how much they truly seemed to love their job. I loved it so much I decided to enroll in cosmetology school in the fall.
Cosmetology school was not easy by any means. Everyone in my class knew they wanted to do hair their entire life and they were all really good at it. On the other hand, I made the decision to do this a couple weeks ago and had no idea how to even curl my own hair. As someone who is naturally competitive, it made it really hard to be really bad at something. So I spent countless of hours practicing in school and outside of school. I was determined to make it work and create my own path. A quarter of the way through school, I decided I wanted to work for myself directly out of school. This is how I would take control of my future and truly create my own path. I took social media seriously in school and started posting my work everyday. People took notice and eventually my books were full while still in school. I graduated cosmetology school in the summer and 2 weeks after I was working behind the chair as an independent stylist. By no means was it easy, it really challenged me. I had to learn how to do everything and how to balance it all. I struggled, but it taught me so much about this industry and the type of life I wanted to live.
I was able to grow as an independent stylist and have the freedom to do other things. I started my photography business and have been growing that alongside my hair business. Having these two creative outlets has been incredible because they offer me so much freedom and flexibility in my life. Since I first started behind the chair, I have now grown to being in my own suite with one of my best friends and still working independently behind the chair and behind the lens. I have been nominated by one of the best hair award shows and got to connect with brilliant stylists. I created my own social media ebook and have been working on a new brand behind the scenes. This career has allowed me to build my own life the way I want to and has unlocked a world of all new possibilities. This is truly just the beginning for me and I could not be more excited for my future. My path was not easy by any means, but I would not change it for anything because it allowed me to grow and find my potential.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This path was anything but easy. The beauty industry is a tough world and can be so cruel. Starting independent right out of school goes against the “norm” of the beauty industry and a lot of stylists didn’t like the way I did things. Focusing on social media, being independent straight out of school, and doing things the way I liked ruffled a lot of feathers and led to others wanting to squish me down and put me in a box. Harsh words were thrown around to my face or behind my back which was not easy at any point. It forced me to make a lot of changes and I had to just put on the blinders and continue to push forward. There are always going to be people who do not support you and who will try to destroy your success, it is just apart of the gig. I always like to remind myself that they are hating for a reason, that I have built something that may intimidate them and the hatred must come from a deeper insecurity within. The hatred that has been thrown at me taught me a lot about this industry early on and it really taught me to be kind. I have created such wonderful friendships by simply being a supportive presence in this industry. Kindness really goes a long way and has opened up so many new doors.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a full time independent hairstylist and photographer. I currently work in my own suite specializing in blonding, lived in colors, and extensions. With my hair business, I have grown on social media and just published my very first social media ebook. This is a project I spent over a year on and something I am so proud of. With photography, I do it all from branding shoots to couple shoots. It is such a great creative outlet for me that I can do with my hair business. I am currently working on another top secret project for my hair business and I can not wait to be able to offer it to other creatives. It is a project I have spent so much time, energy, and money on and I am already so proud of it.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
No, I think we covered it all!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/foiledbyabby
