Today we’d like to introduce you to Dasha Kolomiiets.
Hi Dasha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Kyiv Ukraine. My grandmother was a very creative and crafty person so she gifted me my creative part genetically. Since I was 7 years old, I was into design, drawing and vocals that later got me interested into clothes designing.
In 2010 I was accepted to national design and technology university of Kyiv and graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree. During my first year of University I got really drawn towards hair design and on my summer break I got accepted to my first short course of hairdressing. After finishing the course I found an assisting job in the salon and quickly was promoted to a stylist position. During my entire time of studying at the University of design I was working part time at the salon, cause it was the only thing I wanted to do – make women feel confident and beautiful.
My hairstylist career was blooming as I was attending my continuing education at Tony&Guy academy on the evenings, working 4 days a week at the salon from 9-8 and attending classes and lectures on the other 3 days.
On the last year of University in 2014 the political situation in Ukraine gotten worse and me and my boyfriend had to flee the country so we decided to take a leap of faith and moved Orlando. As we moved, I was not aware that my Ukrainian cosmetology license was not accepted in the US and I had to go through continuing education in beauty school here.
For a new family who were just starting a new life in a new country, the price for the beauty school was not affordable at all, so we decided to earn and save some money so I can continue my career. During the first 13 months, I was working several jobs including housekeeping and bartending in Orlando hotels and resorts. Yes, it was tough at the beginning – we were eating food from the dollar store and riding bicycles to get to the destinations but that did not stop us from getting to the life of our dreams and continue to pursue my career. I was meeting incredible and kind people on my journey all the time and they helped me by sharing their wisdom, being friends and helped me keep my hands in hair.
That entire time I was out of salon, I still was doing hair few times a week so I could keep my groove and inspiration going. That was the time when AirTouch technique came to life in Eastern Europe. So I got my hands on it – figuring out every little detail on my own with my apartment neighbors as my models and my Ukrainian blow dryer plugged in with an electrical volt switch (here 110 v Ukrainian 220 v).
Finally, at the beginning of 2016 I got into beauty school to reevaluate my Ukrainian cosmetology license. I failed my first in school board test. Yes, I failed, but my dream wouldn’t stop there. I did it again in 4 months and was successfully sent to my official state board exam where I passed the first time.
That day was like a new page of life for me. I felt like the sun was finally shining on me. At that time I was already working at one salon as a salon manager and another as an assistant. Shortly after receiving my Florida cosmetology license in the mail, I applied to work in one of the top salons in Orlando at that time. Trend Studios, that’s the name of the place I walked into knowing surely I will be hired at. After being accepted at my verbal interview I was invited to do a hands on where I officially presented my AirTouch technique that was absolutely unknown and non-familiar to anyone in Florida in 2017.
I loved working at Trend, where I was first offered to create an educational program on the method no one knew about, that was the beginning of my educators path that I continue till today working for Wella global company and collaborating with other brands and artists.
Today, I work in a private studio suite accompanied by an assistant where we are pleased to perform the most luxurious hair services such as healthy blonding, precious hair cutting, hand tied extensions and so much more. To make all women who come to see us feel the most confident and cared, listened and understood, loved and uplifted.
Women are our mothers and sisters, daughters and wives, doctors, artists… We all deserve to be cared for. That’s my mission – to deliver the most luxurious version of care and love to every one who has sat in my chair.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
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Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
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Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
For me most definitely COVID quarantine was a time not only to reinvent myself and find time to rethink, reorganize and level up my business but also time to understand how loyal and supportive my community of clients and fellow hairstylists are.
During the lockdown I was able to find a private suite studio and plan my move to be an independent entrepreneur. As I announced the move all of my clients were so supportive of my decision.
It didn’t matter how worried I was, my hairstylists and salon friends helped me with all the encouragement possible. Even though the world was not in the best place, my community showed up in the most supportive way.
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