I love hearing about people who are doing their dream jobs. It's so encouraging! Stephanie has known since the 7th grade that she wanted to be a hairstylist and she loves it!! As this picture CLEARLY shows:
Stephanie was willing to be one of the first to fill out our exciting new (!!) To Work Template. It gives her a chance to tell us more about her dream job... let's listen in:
What is your job? I am a hairstylist. I do hair!
Where do you work? In my home, on Kadena.
Part time/full-time? Pretty much full-time. I cater to my son and family time though.
Education/training requirements? 1550 hours of Cosmetology school in the state of Minnesota.
How did you hear of your job? My husband had been stationed here a couple of times before we met and he had heard somewhere that you could run your own business out of your home so we decided that we’d put in all the necessary paperwork to do it.
How did you get your job? When I got here, I initially started working @ Kadena ITT to entertain my other talents, but I didn’t enjoy myself in that environment. So I got rolling on the paperwork through the housing office. I filled out the form to the best of my ability, handed it over to my husband to send up his chain of command for the necessary signatures and then I handed it back into the housing office. The housing office then handed it over to JAG so they could approve it and I was set. I was kinda shocked at how easy it was! The lady said I was ready to start the business out of my home as long as my state license was kept current.
What are you learning about military life and yourself in this job? Being in the military, especially overseas, makes it so much harder to find a good stylist to keep up with a color or even a special haircut. Even for myself. I’ve been in Okinawa for the past 5 years and with each passing year I love my job even more. I think it’s because of my clients. A lot of them are teachers who’ve been here for years therefore I’ve built a relationship with them. I’ve definitely grown in my career as a hairstylist and as a person. I have a bigger sense of who I am now and what kind of clients I attract.
Do you love/like/dislike/despise your job? I love my job because of my relationship with my clients. Getting to do their hair is just a perk!
Does your job require your child to be in daycare? Yes. There would be no way to run a salon with a crazy 2 ½ yr. old running rampant in my house!
Would you recommend your job to someone with a family? Yes and no. If you’re ok with having your kids in daycare, then totally! If you’re not ok with having your kids in daycare, then no.
Would you have considered this job if you were living Stateside? I might not have considered being my own boss so early in my career. I pictured myself working on my own in another 10 years or so. But now that I’ve done it, I think I may consider having my own salon in the States. I like setting my own hours and not worrying about anyone else but myself and my clients.
Do you feel like you are making a difference in other’s island experience because of your job? Absolutely! If not for fabulous hair, then why even step out of the house?! All kidding aside, I do hope so. I love when a client leaves my house feeling cute enough to have drinks with the girls or find a lunch date. It’s amazing how much a ½” trim makes a person feel. A touch-up on the roots is definitely a great pick-me-up!
Has your experience of Okinawa improved by having this job? Absolutely! Like I said before, these girls have become friends and if not for them my husband’s last deployment might have felt a lot longer! They stepped right up to help fill that void.
Most stressful part of your job? Best part of your job? Stressful? When you think you mixed the color both me and the client agreed upon and it comes out much differently. But the best part of the job is when they leave feeling cute and are actually calling someone to meet them @ Chili’s for lunch as they are walking out the door!
Email to contact Stephanie? You can email me at quiksnipsandstyles@yahoo.com for an appointment.
If you'd like to share information about your job, please check out the To Work Template and email me at joelle1971@gmail.com.
Oh, my gosh! What a fabulous personality! I can feel your energy coming through this interview. Perhaps I need a haircut…
Your little boy is so cute – I just want to pinch those cheeks! Good for you for being brave enough to venture out on your own!
I second that notion from Cheryl! I WANT someone like you keeping my locks at their best! Do you trim curly people hair?…can’t wait to meet you!
Way to take charge of your career and do something you love!
steph’s the best. i have curly hair and she just cut it – getting it colored tomorrow and i can’t wait! go steph!
We have lived here for 6 years and I only found Steph last year! I am so bummed I wasted so much money on really bad cuts through AAFES (I am I allowed to say that???) Steph is the best and we ALWAYS have a great laugh and chat AND I get to leave with great hair! She’s the best! I love you Steph!!!
Stephanie is THE BEST! She always does a great job on my hair and she is fun and friendly! Such a great personality!!!