Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Ina.
Hi Patrick, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hairdressing has always been something I had in my life; growing up in a family full of hairdressers, it always intrigued me. My parents own a restaurant here in Cleveland 5th avenue deli, and my mother’s side of the family own Salons in Montreal, Canada, so I always knew I would be doing something with my hands. For as long as I can remember, I fiddled around with clippers and scissors, working on my friends and family. In 2010 I decided it was the right time for me to attend Cosmetology school, I choose the Brown Aveda institute in Mentor and quickly realized this is what I was meant to do. Upon graduating in 2011, I was extremely motivated to dive deep into the craft and take as much advanced education as I can. I started my career behind the chair working at Ladies and Gentlemen Salon and Spa in legacy village, apprenticing with Master stylist and educator Holly Brown. During that time, I learned how much more there was to do shoots, education, platform work, etc. At that time, Ladies and Gentlemen salon also had a location in Chicago, I packed up and moved, joined the creative team in Chicago, that sparked me into realizing this was what I wanted to do, work behind the chair, educate and create beautiful images with hair. I moved back to Cleveland in 2016 and picked back up again with LnG in legacy village, with a goal of joining the Aveda education team and becoming a master stylist. From that time until 2018, I pushed myself to understand photography, social media, and the hair industry. I worked on numerous shoots and took multiple classes with the world’s best hairdressers, and soaked in as much as possible. The invitation came and I auditioned for Aveda’s North America Artistic team, which would be made up of 5-7 of the country’s top haircutters. The audition itself was long, intense, and packed with amazing talented hairdressers. Fast forward to today, I am 1 of 6 in the country educating stylists from coast to coast, on the road 3-4 weekends a month, and have goals of going Global. Ladies and Gentlemen salon and spa is my second home, as the Creative Director and Master Stylist there, I feel very grateful to be surrounded by some of the most talented hairdressers Cleveland has to offer, it is my passion to make sure we are all continuing to advance skills-wise as well as give our guests the best experience when they are in our salon. Between travel, shoots, and salon life behind the chair, I have found a good balance spending my downtime with my wife and twin boys, as everything I do is for them.
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?
If it was a smooth road anyone would do it, and I really believe that. The hardest part when it comes to achieving your goals is not listening to people who say it’s too hard or who deflect personal situations onto you and your path. I struggled a lot with being ok with doing it on my time and being ok with things not always being the way I imagined them. A lot of my growth came from just trying and learning from every outcome whether good or bad, every moment had a huge impact on where I am now. Manifesting is real, but you defiantly have to take those steps forward in oder for those things you want to happen to become a reality. Trust in your vision, and let your passion drive you; when motivation is low consistency is key.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a hairdresser, and fully have worked hard and continue to work hard trying to understand all aspects of the field. Whether it’s cutting hair or coloring hair in the salon, I pride myself having strengths in both. Whether it’s a very subtle change or a drastic creative look, I tend to approach hair with a very structured point of view. I am known for my very precise, creative, and deep understanding of haircutting, some just see it as cutting hair, but in reality, it is a lot more than that. Haircutting for me architecture, putting shapes and lines together to maximize balance and bring out the best for someone or an image. What I feel sets me apart from others is the never-ending want to know and a keen eye to see things; I am never content with just knowing what I know, even tho there really aren’t any new ways to cut hair; the technical aspect of it is where the difference and where I see myself the strongest
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
It is very important to surround yourself with like-minded people or someone who wants to see you grow. Especially when you are new in the industry, it is very important not to build bad habits but start off working with someone who has the experience and knowledge to help guide you on the right path. At some time, you will see things a bit more clear and may want to do other things in your field; having the right people in your corner who won’t doubt you but push you is at the topmost importance.
Pricing:
- Ladies cuts 85$
- Mens cuts 50$
- Custom/Full foils 150+$
- Retouch 100$+
- Lived in color/Balayage 175+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.patrickina.com
- Instagram: patrick_ina
Image Credits
@galvinmason
Halim Ina & Patrick Ina
