Meet Carissa Simon | Beauty specialist/ Hair and makeup artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carissa Simon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carissa, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’m from a small town in Missouri. I graduated public school with a dozen people. At 22 I moved to the woodlands to start a new life, and that was the initial risk I took to fulfill my big city dreams of success. After taking that first leap, my life continued to be full of risks. As an entrepreneur, we never knew what direction the world is going to go, especially since the pandemic. Miranda Lambert said in one of her songs, “I guess if you don’t jump you’ll never know if you can fly.” And that has been my outlook on risks for as long as I can remember. You have to leave your comfort zone….sometimes you’re going to fail and that’s absolutely ok! But other times you’ll fly, and you never know where you’ll go. I can’t believe I’ve made it to where I am today. And I wouldn’t be where I am if I would have played it safe.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I own Head to Toe Beauty a mini salon inside of Bevina Salon. I perform precision cutting, color, hair extensions, full body waxing, lash extensions, and bridal hair and makeup. Beauty is my passion, I’m not talking just beauty on the outside. I believe inner beauty is what gives you the best glow.

At 22, I was living the small town Missouri life and I felt stuck. I didn’t want to be stuck. I’ve always had dreams as big as Texas. I was offered a position as a color educator, and the headquarters was in Houston. I knew in my heart that was my ticket out. So I packed and moved within a few months. I planted some roots here and dug deep to find myself. While doing so I was making wonderful memories, and great opportunities just started knocking at my door.

For many years I had to work four jobs to stay afloat and make ends meet. I finally found an amazing salon home, and I’ve been here for 4 years. I was cruising right along until covid hit and we had to close for 2 months. In salon world that is a long time. I try my hardest to be positive, so I spent the pandemic working out, cooking some great recipes, and spending time with my son. It was actually a great restart for me. It allowed me to create a new business plan and assess what I wanted to do better in my business Coming back from covid I hit ground running. My marketing took off, my mindset was different, and my business flourished. It is still flourishing and I’m so thankful.

It took a lot of perseverance to get where I am today. It also took a lot of faith. And praying, I’m not sure where my life would be without prayer. I never lost site of my dreams. And I’ve never stopped dreaming. I’ve had lots of patience, and I have never given up. Has it been easy? ABSOLUTELY NOT! But I’m always up for a challenge. If someone tells me I can’t, I always will! Every challenge I’ve faced I’ve done my hardest to find a solution. I’ve also realized that sometimes there are no solutions because business is unpredictable.

I’ve learned so many lessons along the way, and I’m still learning each day. I’ve learned that no matter how much you plan and how prepared you are…there will be something that doesn’t go how you planned. I’ve learned that self care is a necessity. We can’t run on empty. I’ve also learned that you can never quit growing.

I’m honestly just a mom with a dream. I love what I do, and I’m blessed to be where I am. Head to Toe Beauty is about empowering whoever sits in my chair. I want them to leave happy! I love getting to know my clients and I build relationships with all of them. I have a laid back relaxing environment. When clients come to visit my salon I want them to feel like they’re in their home away from home.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is hard because there is really so much to do. I would hope they would be visiting during rodeo season because the Houston rodeo would be my first stop! We’d have to have the whole rodeo experience…rides, petting zoo, shopping, rodeo, and concerts! I would take them to spend the night at Moody Gardens, visit the beach, and Kemah. We would of course have to visit the zoo and the aquarium. And have a shopping spree at the Galleria. I would end their trip in the woodlands. We would have to ride a swan and grab a bite at Del Friscos. They would need to try some brisket nachos from Woodsons. And we’d have to have some Cajun pasta at tailgaters! We would definitely have to have a drink at both the Flying Pug and Exit 73. And put our boots on and do some dancing at Rowdy’s. We would also need to see what treasures we could find in old town spring!

My best friend may need to come for a longer visits than a week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s so many people, I have an amazing support system.

My parents Steve and Linda Simon owned two restaurants and a bar, and they were very successful. I watched how they ran their businesses and I watched how hard they worked. And I wanted to be just like them! They always pushed me to be successful. My mom even left her life in Missouri to help take care of my son when he was born. She’s one of a kind and she’s my rock.

My son Landon is only two, but he his my biggest motivation! Looking into his eyes pushes me everyday to be the best person I can be. And to give him the most fulfilling life as possible.

The owner of Bevina salon, Beverly and all my amazing coworkers who create such a positive atmosphere to work in. We are always willing to help each other when we need it!

My clients have been with me for so many years. They have refereed me to so many people, and have really helped me build my business. I’ve watched their children grow up, I’ve been their shoulder to cry on, and I’ve been their secret keeper. They have been there for me as well, I hold them near and dear to my heart.

My friends and family, have always let me practice new things. And have helped build me up over the years.

And last but not least my husband, Blair. He never tells me no, he supports my business, and he keeps me motivated. He’s there for me to vent to on the hard days and celebrates my good days. He’s my person and I couldn’t do this crazy life without him in it.

They say it takes a village, and I have a pretty strong village. And it is full of love!

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Image Credits
Niki Gregg-Photography by Niki