Meet Shelby Simon | Hair Stylist

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

Hi Shelby, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always been a risk taker. I feel that a lot of people look at risk as something that should be feared. I believe that taking risks only allows for one to experience things they would not experience if they did not take that chance. After I graduated from high school I played it safe and stayed home while others went off to college. A year later I took a risk and applied to Blinn in College Station In their nursing program. Four years later I realized that I was not happy in my life and wanted to make some changes. I left Blinn and with the blessing of my family I enrolled at Paul Mitchell The School Houston. There I found my place. Taking that risk and leaving Blinn for a whole new adventure made me realize that becoming a hairstylists was what I truly wanted to be. Being a hairstylists is a career that is all about taking risks. What I mean by this is, in order to please my clients I have to be willing to do just about anything. You don’t want someone to sit in your chair and you have to tell them “No” because you don’t know how or don’t want to take the risk. I believe that in order to grow in my profession I have to be willing to take the risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a 23 year old hairstylist from Houston Texas. The thing that sets me apart from other hairstylists is that like I have said before I am willing to take risks when it comes to my clients. I am all about helping my clients feel beautiful inside and out. Knowing what is best for them and being honest about what would be best for their hair. What brings me joy is seeing my clients face after the completion of a service. You can help turn someones bad day, week, or month around with a new look.

The thing that I am most proud of is that I never gave up. Growing up my parents always told me “Quitters never win and winners never quit” This a motto that I have shaped my life around. No matter what gets thrown my way, I will never let it get me down. I will pick myself up, dust myself off and keep on moving forward.

Getting to where I am today in my life was not easy. I had to overcome self esteem issues. I always thought that I was not good enough or smart enough to become someone successful. I had a lot of issues with school as far as the ability to comprehend and retain anything that was taught to me. However for some reason when it came to my creative understanding in cosmetology I never had an issue in retaining or understanding what I was learning. That is when I knew that I had chosen the right career path.

I have learned that if you put your whole self into something that you love, you will be successful.

From a very young age I have struggled with lack of self esteem when it comes to my looks. From being told that I was to fair skinned to having a big nose. Any time I went to get my hair done I left the chair feeling good about myself. I want my clients to know that when they sit in my chair, all their worries and problems can disappear for a few hours. I want them to relax and know that I’ll care of them. My goal as well as the salon that I work for is to care for people. Saint Rose is a safe place where you can be cared for and feel secure.

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?
Houston is a town filled with a diverse culture of things to do. One of the places I would take my friend is the museum district. It offers a variety of different venues for someone to experience. I love the wide array of restaurants that Houston has to offer. Some of my favs are Postino’s, Sixty Vines, Rosy Cannonball, Sugar Room, Truck yard and Maggiano’s. There are so many more that it would take me hours to tell you about all of them. I enjoy going to the Railway Heights Market as well as the new Post that just opened. I love exploring Houston and try to find new places every day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank my family as well my boyfriend and close friends, for alway supporting me and cheering me on. Even when I decided to quit nursing school and give up completely, they always had my back. However I wouldn’t be where I am today at Saint Rose with out my boss. He took me in right out of school and has mentored me and made me realize with his support that I have made the right career choice.

Website: www.hairbysaintrose.com

Instagram: @straightupstylin

Image Credits
Sydney Payne Jose Rodriguez