Today we’d like to introduce you to Heaven Yust.
Hi Heaven, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I grew up in a small town in the upper peninsula, graduating high school, and moving to my current hometown of Gladstone, MI in 2014, graduating cosmetology school in 2015. I married my high school sweetheart in 2017 and now a proud mama of two boys!
My career started right out of cosmetology school, putting in countless hours building what I have now. I booth rented in two different salons over 5.5 years and in 2021,, and a good friend decided to take a leap we are now proud co-owners of The Office- Hair Studio, a salon suite in Gladstone, MI. Making me a business owner at 25. Being a mama, I have stepped back from being behind the chair full-time to 2 days a week. Having built my business has allowed me to be a mom first right now when I’m needed most. When the time is right, I’ll return full-time.
When I look back to where I started, I think of myself as a little girl sitting at my grandmother’s home salon for hours watching her do others’ hair, patiently waiting for my turn to play with her hair. Ever since I was a little girl, I knew that I wanted to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps and “be a hairstylist when I grew up.” It all started with her. I hold that so dear to my heart as we lost her in 2010. I never knew it then, but I had my first mentor when I was only 14 years old.
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?
I’m proud to say that I’ve had to work to get where I am in my career. In this industry, you truly start with nothing. You start with zero clientele, working the hours you need to accumulate clientele, late nights, weekends, holidays. It’s not necessarily a smooth road, but I’ve definitely had the choice of how bumpy I want my road to be, and I surely can’t complain.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been a hairstylist for 7 years, as crazy as that is to say, I guess time does fly by when you’re having fun! In my career I focus on color and extensions, specializing in lived in dimensional color and blonding. Customizing my placement and technique for each guest to reach their hair goals. There’s so many things I’m proud of when it comes to being in this industry, from as simple as personal passion, others entrusting in you, stylists supporting stylists, but my favorite thing, what I take the most pride in, is seeing the glow of a confident guest/client when I turn their chair to the mirror and they see their finished look. Making people feel beautiful. You don’t know everyone’s story that you meet in your chair. No matter the person, everyone deserves to feel good when they look in the mirror. The fact that I get to do that as my “job” it’s like a superpower, it brings me just as much joy as my guests. Now when it comes to “what sets me apart from others”; I don’t necessarily feel as if I am so set apart from “others”. I know so many talented men and women in this industry, and those are the people that I think of when I’m asked this question. So let me answer it like this, we support each other, each other’s businesses, forever continuing our education, learning from each other, pushing each other, and we’re passionate. It all kind of falls in place when you’re passionate about your career.
What makes you happy?
I have a couple answers to this question.
Without hesitation, my family! My husband, my kids, even all the chaos our life brings! They are the roots to my support system. My life is more than just inside the walls of my salon, it starts with them! My husband and kids have a lot to do with my salon life too, for those who have been in my chair know they drop in quite often, spoiling me and my guests with coffee, treats, and occasional ice cream! I’m happy to see their internet in being around even if it’s just to say hi!
Another given my clients. I don’t even know where to start with this one. This is what my career is all about, them! They support me and my business, and it is what it is because of them! Their loyalty, and simply that they chose me as their stylist. I’m happy to provide them with a cozy space to get their hair done, hours of stories, and getting to know each and every one of them! The best part about it, there so many people I have come close with over the years, I’ve gained so many friendships. I owe it all to them!
The people I work around make me happy. Alongside of The Office- Hair Studio are 4 other women owed small business, all in the beauty industry. That makes me so so happy and so proud. It’s empowering.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: adayin.theoffice
