a moment of gratitude

just a lil life update. today is a good day.

as some of you know, i’ve been working at a barbershop down in lakewood since i moved down in june. i’ve been working full time every other week and commuting up to fort collins to work at my booth rent on the other weeks. the last 6 months have been insane. business wise and life wise. i’ve learned so much and gained so much perspective on what i want myself and my career to look like.

i've had dark times with knowing if this was the right career for me- the right move for me- is it worth it to move down to denver. do i want to build a clientele in fort collins if i don't wanna live there etc. i've had bright times like going to the vivids classes in vegas, connecting and sharing tears with my clients, coming home from a long day and feeling energized.

i've bounced back and forth on feeling young and spending my time being young or should i be preparing for my life and my career right now so i can go do life. i've found that it's both. i need to build my career right now to let me live the life i want to live. that became evident to me a few months ago.

we had a demo at my barbershop from my boss’ brother who owns a shop in thornton called Scissorhand Design Studio. when they came in, i knew i wanted to be apart of their crew. they came in with such style, swag, talent, and education i made it my goal to be there within the year.

that night i registered for a barber crossover program, which i will be starting in january and will take 10 weeks to get through. i figured my time to switch would be after i graduated and would make my moves then.

one of the boys who was in the demo has consistently kept in contact via my professional page encouraging me that i would be a great fit for their shop. i said once i got out of school i’d make the switch but two weeks ago he pressed me to tell me his boss was looking right NOW.

the owner of the color studio is siblings with the owner of the cut studio who is siblings with my current boss at my barbershop. so i was treading on a fine line. i reached out to Steph, who allowed me to come in to see the shop and just meet everyone today.

i thought that was all it was going to be, but prepared for an informal interview. low and behold, i was offered a full time job there. i just got off the phone with my current boss to keep my bridges in tact, and she had nothing but support for me moving into her siblings shop.

i expressed that i am yearning for education again, more experience, more skills and this place has all of that and more to offer me.

i will be beginning next month, starting school in january, and finished by march. i plan to further extend all my clipper work here, begin my braiding career, and keep my booth up in fort collins.

i have a lot planned for 2024 regarding my booth rent (The Rainbow Collective) as well. planning for a rebrand, new vibe, new product line, new service options, more content, more options, and a better me.

i’m having a surreal moment of gratitude because this time last year i was in the same position. swapping spots, looking for a barber job, moving, etc. except i was in a lot more chaos and sporadicy. this time around, i am so much more intentional. i have so much more perspective and grit and confidence going into this chapter. i feel motivated and excited. that this is the next stepping stone to my career and for myself. this is going to open so many doors. and i am so grateful.

i said a prayer before and i said a prayer after. “thank you for this opportunity and wherever it takes me.”

🤭🥹

hard work pays off.

my last front desk directly told me to my face “you’re horrible at mens cuts and you’ll never build a clientele off of it.” wellllll look at me now. don’t listen to them. keep pushing. keep your sights high and your ambitions higher.

cheers to this next chapter. follow me on instagram to keep up….

@gianna.do.my.hair