Growing up in her mom’s salon, Shelly Wilson always felt comfortable in the salon-setting, which makes her decision to become a professional hair stylist seem like the perfect choice. As a relatively new hair stylist Shelly Wilson has a lot to look forward to in her career, and her talents are sure to bring her a lot of success. Learn about her inspirations and her goals in our interview!

BANGSTYLE: Can you give us some background info on your career?

Shelly Wilson: I grew up in the hair industry. My mom owns a salon near Cleveland, Ohio and I still  remember hanging out on top of the dryer in the breakroom as a child. I’ve been doing hair professionally since 2009 at a salon in Chicago, IL where I have worked for over 10 years.

BANGSTYLE: How did you get your start in hair and how did you know you wanted to make a career out of it?

Shelly Wilson: After completing my undergrad at DePaul in Public Policy, I briefly ended up in the bureaucratic non-profit world. While I enjoyed the new set of challenges, I decided that I always felt the most comfortable, and myself, in the salon (must have been the soothing rumbles of the dryer as a child…). I was already working at a great salon in Chicago, Robert Jeffrey, where I worked as a receptionist throughout college. They were looking for a full-time manager right before I enrolled in cosmetology school, so I took the job and began the licensing process at the same time. I quickly immersed myself back into the industry and decided to give it a go as a stylist. It still feels like one of the best decisions that I ever made. I resigned from salon management this past year to really focus on my clients; allowing myself to get more into the creative side of the industry. It’s provided me with a much-needed creative outlet and a new outlook on life as a whole.

BANGSTYLE: Who or what inspires the looks you create?

Shelly Wilson: My friends, clients, and fellow artists inspire the looks I create. My salon looks are really inspired by what’s happening in the streets of Chicago. I am constantly checking out street looks and love when my clients come in with ideas that I would not have considered. I love creating a look with my clients; the created look is as much theirs as it is mine. I’ve more recently gotten into doing photoshoots with an awesome photographer, Annalise Fretytag, where I am learning to create editorial looks. The energy and feel of the group really inspires the looks for those shoots. And the hair- it usually tells you what to do once you start molding and shaping.

BANGSTYLE: What are some of your career highlights?

Shelly Wilson: I feel like my career is just beginning and the sheer excitement in that is my current highlight.  Over the past 3 years, I’ve had some awesome opportunities to get some great education. I was able to go to an Intercoiffure event with my current salon owners, where I had the opportunity to take a cutting class with Vivienne Mackinder. As soon as I finished school, I enrolled in the Vidal Sassoon ABC cutting course with Don Haidl. I’ve been trying to jump on education opportunities as I continue to grow. I recently had the opportunity to attend haircutting education events with David Raccuglia and another with Nick Arrojo in Chicago. It’s been great to see other artists succeed in the industry. Building a returning clientele has been a large step in my salon career and I am very grateful for that.

Teaming up with Annalise Freytag Photography and doing more editorial styles has also been another really exciting part of seeing what other possibilities are out there in the hair career world. Turn Magazine and Like Magazine were so kind to feature our work. Being featured and chosen for Bangstyle’s “The Supremes” has been an honor! Additional work was featured in hairbrained.me “Sunday’s Newsletter.” My hair care tips were also in Celebrity Hairstylesmagazine this past fall.

I like to dabble in as much as I can, so I try to be out and about in as many outlets as possible. That way, I never get bored. I aim to be the best at what I do (I’m a Capricorn, I just can’t help it), so I am really excited to see where my career takes me. I still have so much to learn!

BANGSTYLE: Do you have any advice for aspiring stylists?

Shelly Wilson: This is such a fun job to have and a great craft to excel in. Don’t think it’s easy. You really have to work hard at getting clients to come to you. If you want to make a career out of it, you have to be business minded about it. Of course, have fun and enjoy doing hair, whether in the salon or freelance setting. But, realize that you need to make this work in a way that gives you a sustainable lifestyle; so you can truly enjoy every day. I try to never turn any opportunity down; you just never know who you are going to meet along the way! It’s so inspiring to create with your hands, so stick to it, work hard, and good things will come your way (:

BANGSTYLE: Do you specialize in any particular looks, cuts, or styles?

Shelly Wilson: I really enjoying cutting. I love color too, but I usually have the most fun doing shorter women’s cuts and men’s hair. I like longer hair too, but you get to be more creative with shaping when it’s shorter. I wish more women would wear shorter styles. I also love to do razor cuts. Hair moves and doesn’t need to be so structured all the time, razoring allows for the hair to exist more naturally.

BANGSTYLE: How would you describe your aesthetic?

Shelly Wilson: I love when people just rock out their natural texture. I like to create looks that suit a client’s personality and total look. I can be very mainstream, but I like to add a little funk or individualism to each look I create. Simplicity can go a long way.

BANGSTYLE: Any at-home hair tips to share with our users?

Shelly Wilson: Use good shampoo and conditioners. It all starts at the beginning of hair care. Take care of your health and beauty by taking care of your body. Eat well, sleep well, and use good products.

BANGSTYLE: What would be your dream job within the hair industry?

Shelly Wilson: I don’t know. I think I’m still trying to figure that one out! Possibilities could include: a freelance editorial stylist working with fashion/magazines, musicians, artists, etc.; open my own salon/work space; make a product line. In an ideal world, I would be free to do anything that comes my way. My dream job would be one that is continually evolving and changing.

BANGSTYLE: Do you have any future plans or goals for your career?

Shelly Wilson: I can’t plan that far out. There are so many unknown outside influences that could mold my career path. I also help my boyfriend, Fess Grandiose, run a production company,Kimball House Productions. It would be really great if my fashion/hair world could evolve into a bigger project, so that I can commit myself fully to both at the same time. We have a great team behind that too, so stay tuned!

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