Regardless of the happenings in my life now, i know for certain how blessed i am to have the job i have.
I am an apprentice cosmetologist at my family’s business, “Carter’s Hairstyling” as the third-generation of hairdressers in the family. When my dad suggested me start the program, since I was doing my friends hair for free, I had no idea what was in store for me. I was very disappointed at the beginning of the summer that i wouldn’t be traveling the world and that i would be home working for the man ( literally). It’s been good and it’s been bad at times, but overall, it’s been quite the adventure.
My day starts very early. Whether it be by sound of Leeland singing from my phone thanks to early morning text messages or my dad yelling up the stairs, I find that I am pulling myself out of bed at seven something most days ( I gave up on a sleep a long time ago) to shower and find something to wear. My dad has made my lunch for school all my life and it hasn’t stopped for summer. He makes the best vegetarian wraps. By eight at the latest, we get in the truck and make the thirty minute trek to the shop in downtown Fredericksburg. I really like this long drive. Our family’s going through a lot right now, and sometimes we both need to vent. And other times we just sit and listen to Yes.
I work every Tuesday regardless if I have customers or not because I have to get 3000 hours in order to complete my apprenticeship. Most apprentices spend their first 1000 hours sweeping up hair and answering phone, but that isn’t what has been my experience. Given that generally the apprentice’s boss isn’t his or her dad, but regardless, I have finished many of the completions necessary in the 3000 hours, going well over sixty in haircut completions of the fifty necessary.
Sometimes Tuesdays are boring, especially if I have one or no customers. I bring my computer, camera ( which you might notice from this post), books, journal; I make it interesting. When I’m not doing hair, I’m folding/drying/hanging towels, answering the phone, sweeping up hair and all those other necessary things. If there’s nothing to do, sometimes I’ll sit and listen to my dad’s customers. Every one has a story and each of them compliments my photography when they see the picture of Laura ( what can I say, I like ego boosts? just kidding).
You can’t be a hairstylist and not be a people person. I’ve had to learn that even when I’m having a day when I’d be much happier not talking to anyone, you can do excellent work and come across as a jerk. I’ve learned a lot about loving people through God’s eyes and not my opinions doing this job.
Speaking of doing my job, I actually do that on occasion at the shop : ) I’ve had twenty something clients so far, all being repeats give or take one or two. God had blessed me with amazing customers, many of them good friends. He’s given me a lot of opportunity in a field that is incredibly difficult to break into, and I’m still in high school.I don’t know if hair is my future. Honestly, i’m pretty certain it won’t be my full-time career. But who am i to say i know what will happen with my life? It is not my own. In the mean time, i’m going to enjoy the opportunity He’s given me.
The first slideshow is of a few of the people who have been through my chair when i had my camera with me. The second slideshow is some of what i’ve done when there weren’t people coming through my chair 
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