Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivy Boudakian
Hi Ivy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up as girly as it gets. I always had a love for everything in the “girl world” – glitter and princesses and everything in between. My childhood was filled with The Little Mermaid and endless Barbie accessories. Looking back on this, it really is no surprise that I ended up in the career field that I did.
When the end of high school started to come around, I knew I didn’t want to follow a “traditional” path by going to a four-year university. I wanted to work towards something that gave me more freedom, more ways to express my creativity, and more flexibility in life. My love for all things beauty-related was at the forefront of my mind, so I made what felt like a risqué move at the time and booked a tour for my local cosmetology school. I left that tour with tears in my eyes that day determined to take the first steps in achieving my dreams.
2020 was a crazy year for all of us and I was no exception to that. I started at Paul Mitchell the School in Greenville that September. My program lasted around a year – until 1500 hours had been clocked in. I spent my time in school working hard to better myself in all the ways that I could. I worked on my technical skills, my communication skills, my social media skills – I worked on everything. I was consistently on the schools’ top leaderboards for sales and services.
Towards the end of my time at Paul Mitchell, I began interning and eventually assisting at a luxury salon in the Greenville area. This salon was crucial in establishing many of my standards as a stylist. We focused intensely on guest experience, and I was able to start to get my hands in some hair outside of school. Unfortunately, this salon closed its’ doors very shortly before my graduation date. Luckily, I found a home with some of the stylists from that salon and was able to begin working as an assistant full-time immediately after graduating.
I spent my year assisting once again honing my skills and learning everything that I could. I took classes outside of work, said “yes” to everything thrown my way, and washed more hair than you could ever even dream of (it was worth it – my washes are ALWAYS mentioned by my guests!). As I gained confidence and improved my skillset, I slowly but surely began taking on my own clients, usually given to me through the stylists I was working under. On the side, I also started running the social media page of one of my bosses.
We moved into a full-sized salon in 2022 and I finally had my own station. I was ready to stop assisting altogether and start working on my own books full-time. This meant a lot of inconsistency. Inconsistency in bookings, in my schedule, in my finances, in every aspect of my life. It is scary to face the unknown – but essential in a career that is based in serving people.
Over time, three guests a week became seven. And then ten. And then even twenty! New faces started to become “regulars.” I started to receive five-star reviews. I had guests begin referring their friends and family to me. I finally felt like I was in a place where I was truly building my book. I was able to see how my work lasted from one appointment to another, able to try different techniques out, and able to really expand my horizons over this period. I began to really focus on my own social media pages, working hard to both build my reputation and clientele. I was finally able to set a consistent schedule and be able to count on income. Most importantly, I was able to build real connections with my guests. I was able to really learn what they liked, how they wanted to be treated, and their expectations. I heard stories from them about their lives – and their friend’s and families’ lives for that matter. I spent monumental days like weddings and funerals with them. I styled hair for prom and washed hair for bereaved mothers. I was able to really build beautiful connections with people that stretch far outside the salon doors. The relationships I have built with the people who sit in my chair are so valuable to me. It is so rewarding to be able to be a daymaker for someone.
Today, I am working full-time as a stylist behind the chair and part-time as an Insider for Surface Hair. I am still working on building my books and achieving a fully booked schedule. I have a solid and amazing group of loyal guests who regularly see me and love their hair. I love to do anything related to social media and have so much fun sharing my life as a hairstylist online. I feel so fulfilled every day getting to make others feel beautiful with my creativity and time. There isn’t another career that I could imagine myself in and I would encourage anyone interested in cosmetology to take that first step towards working in a career that they love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have definitely a few bumps in the road along my journey. The biggest challenge that I faced was the instability in my life for a few years. Between school and starting a new career, there were many times that I would have failed had I not had the support system that I had. The schedule I was trying to maintain was intense and had me close to burnout. It was incredibly hard to manage being on my feet for 8 hours during the school day, plus an additional 3 to 4 hours working into the night. I did this 5 days a week, and working full days when I wasn’t in school. I hardly had time off, which was taxing emotionally and draining physically. It was rare that I had time for my friends, family, or hobbies – let alone myself. I can only imagine how hard this would have been to balance if I wasn’t still living at home with my family and only supporting myself. I am extremely grateful to have had people like my parents who made this journey a lot less stressful for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
While I am accepting guests that desire a wide range of services, my heart lies in natural and lived in hair color. I love getting to do work that looks seamless and beautifully blended. Brunettes are the most fun for me – as I am one myself! I do love to get my hands in some vivid color, though, and I love haircutting!
I am certified in both Handtied and Tape-In Extensions. I have a passion for making people feel like the most beautiful version of themselves, regardless of what it takes. If that means adding in some hair, then let’s do it! I love getting to do huge transformations with extensions that leave people speechless at their reflection.
Inside of our salon, I’m known for giving amazing washes (I told you assisting paid off!) and having a talent for providing education. This has also led me to begin working with Surface Hair as an Insider, with the goal to eventually work as an educator under their brand.
As a stylist, I place the most value in my guests’ experience. To me it matters almost as much as the hair itself. Getting to pamper and spoil my guests is a privilege that I love to exercise. Whether it’s offering a glass of champagne, completely changing the idea we had for that days’ appointment, or tweaking that one piece of hair AGAIN that just still won’t cooperate right – I love being able to provide an amazing experience regardless of what it takes.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
That your actions have SUCH an impact on others. While I was in school, we wore nametags that didn’t read “student”, but instead “daymaker”. This has stuck with me throughout my entire career. I make it a goal each and every day to improve the lives of those who sit in my chair and trust me with their confidence. Every interaction that I have with people has an effect on them and their life. Every smile, every compliment, and every word spoken. Working in this position offers me a powerful reminder daily that even seemingly small actions can have a lasting effect. Being a stylist has taught me the importance of being attentive, compassionate, and intentional with every action, as they collectively shape the experiences and emotions of those around us.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ivy_bonesandhoneysalon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautybyivyb/
