At 24, DJ Victory followed her dreams and went to beauty school, going against all the career advice she had received. Her determination and passion paid off, and now with 11 years in the hair industry, she owns her own salon in Cleveland, has been published in many hair magazines, and continues to push herself to grow in the industry. Check out our interview with DJ Victory to learn more about her career and her salon!

BANGSTYLE: Can you give us a background on your career?

DJ Victory: I’ve been doing hair for over 11 years and I’m obsessed. I continue to push myself and continue learning. I frequent the hair shows, take classes, watch webinars, DVDs, and try to make connections with other stylists that I admire. I’m constantly reading the trade magazines as well. 

BANGSTYLE: How did you get started in the industry and how did you know you wanted to make a career out of it?

DJ Victory: I went to college for a few years after high school because I thought that’s what I was suppose to do. It wasn’t for me at all. I started beauty school when I was 24. I grew up in Lima, so I went to the local beauty academy there and when I was 25, I moved to Columbus and finished up at The Conservatory of Cosmetology. I had always wanted to go to cosmetology school, but I thought hairstylists didn’t make good money. I also felt that some people looked down on hair stylists, as if they weren’t intelligent and this was all that they could do. I know that isn’t the case, but I have heard people make comments like, “Maybe you should go to beauty school to have something to fall back on.” I was working in a surgeon’s office and I was so miserable. One day, I just decided I was going to quit and go to beauty school because I knew deep down that is what I’ve wanted to do since I was about 5.

BANGSTYLE: What are some of your career highlights?

DJ Victory: Owning my own salon has been a great learning experience. Definitely a challenge. I won my first cover in 2008 for Ohio Stylist. That really fueled my desire to do more editorial work and enter contests. In 2009, I was one of the winners of the STARS photo competition at ABS in Chicago. From that point on I’ve had 6 covers of Ohio Stylist, 2 covers for Modelixer Magazine, been published in the following magazines: Modern Salon, Launchpad, American Salon, Estetica, Unfolded, Modelixer, Sophisticates, and several others. I’ve also been featured on several websites like Hairbrained.me, Beauty Net, Behind the Chair, etc.

BANGSTYLE: Do you specialize in any particular look or style?

DJ Victory: I don’t feel like I have any one look…I try to do it all;)

BANGSTYLE: How would you describe your aesthetic?

DJ Victory: Most of my editorial shoots are clean, edgy but wearable. As far as my work in the salon goes, I could do an inverted bob in my sleep! Haha.

BANGSTYLE: Who or what inspires the looks you create?

DJ Victory: I’m inspired by so many different things. It’s funny, I’ll start off with an idea and it will snowball into something completely different. I like to take long walks and that’s when I come up with a lot of my ideas. I’m also greatly inspired by other stylists.

BANGSTYLE: Can you tell us a bit about your salon?

DJ Victory: I’ve owned Enzo’s Salon for about 10 years. Partners with my husband. At one point, we had two locations but it was too much for me. I was going back and forth. A lot of stress. The last few years have been so wonderful. I have a small staff that I’m very close with. I recently had a baby and all 3 of my girls were at the hospital with me.

BANGSTYLE: What kind of client experience do you like to create?

DJ Victory: I really want my clients to feel like they could come into the salon in sweats or a prom dress! All of my girls do such an amazing job at making clients feel cozy, comfortable and ultimately beautiful! A lot of my clients have become my friends.

BANGSTYLE: Any at-home hair advice for our readers?

DJ Victory: I’m a big believer in not shampooing your hair every day. It truly helps maintain the color. Also by not washing daily you are not stripping the hair of the natural oils that help to keep the hair healthy. 

BANGSTYLE: What are your future plans or goals for your career?

DJ Victory: I plan on doing this for as long as my body will allow! I would love to win a NAHA award, that would be amazing. I hope to continue to learn as well as inspire others. In this industry, there is always someone better than you;)

I am proof that you can be successful if you push yourself and keep trying. I had a very difficult childhood and early adulthood just like a lot of people. But I always knew at a young age that I wasn’t going to settle for what I was surrounded with. I love my job. People put so much trust in you, tell you their deepest secrets, and look to you for advice, in addition to trusting you with the best accessory in the world, their hair….think about it. You never take it off. Well, unless it’s a wig and that’s even better, you could rock a new cut, color and style every day!

Check out DJ Victory on Bangstyle and be sure to “Stalk” her to stay updated on all her great uploads!