Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Black.
Hi Chloe, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am originally from St Clair Shores, MI. My family moved to central Florida in the mid-’80s. I grew up mostly in East Orlando. After high school, I ran away to Phoenix, AZ, where my brother lived to experience something different. After 6 years, some college, a ton of concerts, a bunch of different roommates, and a fiancé later, I ended up moving back to Florida (without the fiancé) and trying figuring out life. I consider myself a little bit of a late bloomer. I didn’t go to cosmetology school until I was 29. Actually, my hairstylist was the one who suggested I go to hair school. I was miserable in my current job at the time (medical office manager), and I knew I loved hair and makeup, so I thought I’d at least check it out. I went to the Aveda Institute in St. Petersburg. That was the closest Aveda cosmetology school back in 2006. Graduated top of my class in 2007. Thus, started my career in the beauty industry and dreams of someday owning my own salon. I started an apprenticeship at a high-end salon in Mt Dora in 2007. I went from assistant to Master Stylist through the years. I stayed with them for 13 1/2 years to be exact. It took a pandemic and a lockdown along with some soul searching to decide it was now or never girl. I decided to bite the bullet and just go for it. I’ve never looked back! I love “The Suite Life,” as some call it in our industry. It’s just me and two salon chairs in a private loft offering up my expertise. I love my career! I get to meet new people on the regular and help them feel as beautiful as they actually already are.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Deciding to go back to school at 29 was a big decision. Especially being in a classroom full of 18-year-olds was especially difficult. It was the first time in my life I felt old. Starting a new career is scary, but coloring and cutting a stranger’s hair for the first time ever in hair school was terrifying. I’ll never forget it… It took me 6 hours to highlight this woman’s hair. It turned out exactly like the picture, and I was SO proud of myself! Only to have the woman tell me and my educator she hated it. I may have cried after she left.
15 + years later… Not scary at all.
Going out on your own as a solo stylist is scary as well. No one teaches you in hair school how to run a business or keep track of inventory or how to pay your taxes or use a POS system. I’ve learned a lot through trial and error. Thank God for an accountant!
I love what I do for a living. When I started doing hair social media wasn’t a thing yet. So being a Gen Xer, I get technology… It’s cool. But I struggle to be tech savvy on the regular. Not only do I have to be up to date on everything Hair and Style wise but I also have to be a photographer a videographer an editor and an internet marketer. I will definitely say I learn something new every day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Master Stylist. I create personalized looks through hair cutting and coloring based on your lifestyle, skin tone, and eye color. I specialize in all coloring but I’m partial to blonding. I love to use an array of highlighting techniques to create a more lived-in appearance. I find you can have lower (blonde) maintenance with a lived-in effect. I make any and all choices regarding a client’s hair based on what’s best for them and really try to listen to them as opposed to my own bottom line. I have found through the years that people come back when they feel like you genuinely have their best interest at heart. I also know that good color starts with healthy hair. So, if I think my client’s hair is too damaged to receive a color service that they may want I will refuse to do the service.
I also LOVE to do special event hairstyling. Bridal, prom, gala, or even themed events like 1920s or 1940’s hair.
I believe that learning never ends. Continuing advanced education is extremely important to me. I make sure to attend a couple of classes every year to stay on top of new techniques.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I do things a little different at my salon. I charge by the hour. No gratuity, and my pricing is genderless and not defined by age. Every appointment is scheduled with a minimum of one hour. Anything over and above that is prorated based on the time in my chair or if you’re adding any special treatments (such as smoothing treatments or retexturing treatments).
While I try to stay professional, I am super chill, and nonjudgmental, and I love to use the word “fuck”. I love my industry, and I love my clients. Even the crazy, mean ones. They teach me to rise to the occasion of being a better person.
I have a wonderful significant other. His name is Josh. He visits the salon frequently. So, if you schedule an appointment, you’re sure to meet him at some point. Prepare for a good time; he’s a Chatty Cathy. I also have two dogs, Freya and Daisy, and a cat named London. Whom, I can’t stop talking about.
I love learning about my clients and their lives and sharing their ups and downs with them as a friend and confidant. Because we all know, our stylists are our therapists. And just like therapists, hairdressers never tell.
Pricing:
- $100 per hour
- Smoothing Treatment additional $150
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thechopshoppefl.com
- Instagram: @thechopshoppe_fl
- Facebook: The Chop Shoppe
Image Credits
Angelika Krug Photography
