Today we’d like to introduce you to Mindy Warren.
Hi Mindy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I had always wanted to be a hairdresser from a young age. I grew up in a very small rural town outside of Longview, TX. There was one “beauty shop” in our town of less than 1000 people. We were not a very social family, and the beauty shop was not a place my mom enjoyed and did not go often. But when we did go, I was always in awe. I loved looking through the old school “style books” or “look books” (this was late 80’s-90’s). In awe of the various styles and colors. Some of the fashion too. About mid-way through high school, I knew I wanted to work in a salon but wasn’t sure how to get certified. My parents were well below the poverty line and I knew there was no money for college of any kind. The FASFA process was unknown to us as no one had ever been to college in our family. Only “smart kids” got scholarships. About a year after I graduated high school, I met the person who would eventually be my first (ex) husband.
Coming from a very sheltered background, I didn’t understand the growing toxicity of that relationship. At a time in my young life when enrolling in cosmetology seemed attainable, I was told that hair wasn’t a real career or only housewives did. This person was from the North, had relatives in corporate culture, and had a very narrow view of Texas people. Eventually, I did enroll in a business program and just accepted this was all there was after getting divorced. Fifteen years later, I was waiting tables to accommodate the needs of my youngest child who has medical disabilities. I would meet my now significant other who eventually got me to talk about what I used to dream about. The pandemic was in full swing by this point. We lived near Palestine, and I found a program at Trinity Valley Community College. I started cosmetology school at 37, turned 38 towards the end of the program, took my state boards two weeks after finishing school and passed. A few months later, I moved to Conroe for more opportunities and be near Texas Children’s Hospital.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
This road has been anything but smooth. Trying to find my place in this industry and an employer willing to work around me meeting the needs of my disabled child. Working my way up at 38/39 years old. I’ve wanted to give up several times in the past year, but I’ve come too far to only come this far. I have come too far….to only go this far!
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’m a hair stylist, but I still like the old title of hairdresser. Styling and styling with braiding is one of my favorite things. I’m building my skill in formulating copper and red colors. These are the hardest colors to work with besides vivids. I am a natural redhead and have always received compliments, now I’d like to pass on my own color to others. I like the style of balayage, and there are not many using the balayage technique with coppers or reds. I also like barbering; even while still in school, I didn’t like the idea of only doing color ten hours a day every day. I was introduced accidentally to the barber world. I’ve kept a foot in each world.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Starting a new career from scratch at 38 in a completely new city was one big risk. The idea of moving to the Houston area was an idea that just sprang up as I was finishing cosmetology school. It wasn’t even in the original plan. My original intentions were to build out a small garage salon or find a salon home in our small area. But here I am in the big city planting roots. I could never fathom making this kind of leap of faith when I was 21. Honestly, this hasn’t been risk I did alone. This dream would never have come to fruition if it wasn’t for my boyfriend prodding and dragging it out of me. I had long ago given up and buried it.
Pricing:
- Blowouts $35
- Updo/special occasion styling $50-$100.
- Brazilian Blowout services: Four different types of treatments.. $55-$250
- Color service prices will vary depending on clients desired style and amount of hair.
- In honor of 9/11 remembrance during September, I am offering 25% off the total for services for first responders (current or retired), military and veterans.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mermaid.hair.styles/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mermaidhairstyles21/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mermaid.hair.styles
Image Credits
I took all these photos with my personal phone. The first photo was a special occasion style (girl in bright pink shirt, long dark hair) Second photo is a retro tease (a senior client and I) The little boy in the last photo is my oldest son and RK Hair is where I work. The last is of me at my first hair show.
