Young stylist Kassandra Retos personifies what it truly takes to make it big in the pro-beauty industry. After working as an assistant to International Goldwell Guest Artist John Simpson for 18 months, Retos became a full-fledged stylist in 2010. She now works full-time at Lewis Hair Salon in Pittsburgh and has big dreams for her pro-beauty career. But unlike many young hopefuls, Retos is working hard and smart to make every one of her dreams come true in short order. Case in point: Retos is a finalist for Goldwell Color Zoom Challenge 2012.
“When I first graduated from beauty school, I became an assistant at another salon. Instead of learning from a master stylist, I spent my time assisting every stylist in the salon and pushing a broom…a lot,” Retos reveals. “I quickly became disillusioned and actually left the industry for a short time to work at my father’s plastics company. Then, John Simpson asked me to become his assistant. It took me a month to decide to quit my job and return to the beauty industry. I’m so glad that I did! I assisted John for 18 months; it was such an amazing educational experience.
For newly licensed, ambitious stylists, Retos shares some important advice: “You definitely need advanced training after you graduate from beauty school. But in order for your training to truly benefit your career, first you must do your research. I’ve found that assisting for one stylist who’s highly educated, has many achievements to his or her credit, and is connected with the pro-beauty industry outside the salon are all hugely important factors. You need to ensure that you’ll receive a thorough education, and not just be shampooing and sweeping hair for months on end.
Too, I suggest that you spend enough time with this person to know that your personalities click. Assistants and master stylists spend endless hours together. Eventually, you need to become business friends for the relationship to last.”
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| Kassandra Retos and photographer Babak |
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