BTC Community: When did you first know you’d be a hairstylist?

As hairdressers you’re both creative and driven, and you know how to turn your dreams into a reality every day behind the chair—but how did you get your start? When did you first know you’d pursue your dreams of becoming a stylist? We reached out to the BTC community on Instagram to ask the question:

“How many of you out there ALWAYS KNEW you’d be a hairstylist? At what age?”

Here’s what some of our 1 million Insta followers had to say!

Always. My first memory is at the age of six with my doll that I called “the doll Sassoon.” I would wash, style and (poor thing) cut her hair. She ended up with a very edgy Sinead O’Connor look.
@bean_an_ti

In kindergarten, the teacher asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. I said a hairdresser, a teacher and the boss! My dad saved that assignment and gave it to me the day I opened my first salon.
@andieobothell

I started braiding my friends’ hair in second grade. That’s when I knew!
@bethandersonnnn

All my dolls were bald from as far back as I can remember! #wantedtobeahairdresserforever
@jenmcken19

Super young—probably six or seven. My teacher asked us to draw what we wanted to be when we grew up and I drew myself blow-drying someone’s hair at a station.
@megan.cheyanne

I’m 55 this year and I used to play “beauty shop” when I was young in elementary school. My parents made me go into business in college, but I ended up back in school in my 30s for cosmetology! Love what I do!
@curlysuezz

I would say around seven years old. I would cut my brother’s hair and box-dye my mom’s hair. It’s amazing how you are born a stylist!! I started at 16 in my salon and 17 years later, I am still in love with my career!
@taralynnkellyhair

I decided when I was three. I used to follow my stylist around the chair while he did my mom’s hair telling him where he needed to cut. LOL!
@tdyork77

In my younger years, I wanted to be an artist or a paleontologist. My grandma owned a salon and taught me bit by bit. I did my first foiled highlight at 14 and it got into my blood.
@nicshansen

I always knew but I was sure around eight years old. My dad let me give him a haircut when I was eight. I stood on the bathtub and just cut. I did a horrible job but I fell in love with cutting!
@mzmissy_03

I was four when my “cool aunt” inspired me to follow in her footsteps! I fell in love with this passion and every career day I would job shadow at a salon. In high school, I was able to get a three hour business course that allowed me to work at a salon every day! A month after graduating high school, I started an esthetics program and started cosmetology school right after (with my husband) and now we have had our spa and salon open for six years!
@harjnkegrl

I guess it seemed to always be my life. I didn’t go to beauty school until after college. Then, finally my girlfriend said, “Now will you get your license?” She gave me the $400.00 to register. I have her to thank. 35 years later, I still enjoy my work.
@carlacutsyou

I was around eight! My very favorite cousin was in cosmetology school and that’s when I knew. Going on 24 years now! Not one day has it ever felt like a job! I love what I do and my fellow co-workers!!
@ashlieandgrant

I cut one side of my neighbor’s hair when I was four or five. She had never had a haircut and I gave her a half-bob! I tried to hide the evidence behind a chair. My mom always says that I was able to apply makeup better than her by that age too!
@jezzabell501

I was reading my kindergarten book not long ago and I had written that I wanted to be a hairstylist under the “What do you want to be when you grow up?” question at six years old. Lucky to be doing something I love!
@ravenskylar_

Sixth grade…I was taking appointments for one length trims, creating new bangs and styling hair for elementary school dances!
@islandstylistmv

Five…I did my dog’s makeup and cut my own hair!
@lo_studio17

At like four years old, brushing my mom’s hair while we watched “Days of Our Lives.” Celebrating 22 years in May!
@amy.massie.7

Around eight…Every Barbie had had a pixie cut by the end. I’ve been in the business for 14 years and counting!!!!
@kmschlegel