Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Burris.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hair is my passion. Hair is my escape. Hair is my art.
I have always had a love for all things beauty. It is where I feel I can be the most creative. I always joke that I cannot draw or paint a pretty picture but I can rock out some beautiful hair. I chose to enroll in cosmetology school in 2009. I attended David Pressley School of Cosmetology School in Taylor, MI. My first day of cosmetology school I knew that this is where I needed to be. The atmosphere was inviting, and I was with like-minded people learning/doing what I love.
I graduated from David Pressley in 2011 and went on to get my cosmetology license immediately after I finished school. I worked in a few different salons soaking in as much knowledge and education as I could. I loved every minute of it. In 2013, I decided that I wanted to go back to school and obtain my instructor license for cosmetology. That same year I became a licensed cosmetology instructor.
For a while, I was teaching at a cosmetology school during the week and working at a salon on the weekends. When I gave birth to my daughter in 2014, I decided that I wanted to focus on teaching and education. Teaching is my passion, and I feel so grateful I get to do it for a career.
There was a time in my life where I moved around a lot and had some amazing jobs in the industry.
I moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 2015. I was an educator for Paul Mitchell the School Memphis. I learned so much about business and education here. I often think about my time here and how it molded me into becoming the educator I am today.
I also lived in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Columbus, Ohio. While living in both of those states, I worked for the Aveda Institute and was their salon coordinator/guest service coordinator.
Living in different states and seeing different parts of the country was amazing. I got to experience different cultures and met so many great people along the way.
At the end of 2018, I found myself stuck in a relationship that was not good for me. I ended up leaving and taking my daughter, dog and whatever would fit into 2 cars and we moved back to Michigan. It was a very hard time in my life, but with the support/help of friends and family, I was able to get back on my feet.
One thing that got me through that difficult time was hair and teaching. It has actually gotten me through a lot of difficult times in my life. I can just forget about what is going on around me for a brief moment in time and focus on what I love. Ask anyone in this industry, and they will tell you it’s more than just hair.
Currently, I am an educator at Douglas J Aveda Institute in Royal Oak, MI. I love working for this company because I feel like I have so much room to grow as an educator. I’m so grateful to have an opportunity to share my love for hair, education, and all things Aveda with the students. I love going to work and being around people who share the same interests/passion as me. The students amaze me every day! They are so talented, and I love that I can be a part of their journey.
My success did not happen overnight. I want everyone to know that it takes hard work, dedication, and focus to become a master at your craft. At the end of the day…I want to be the best I can be. That is always the goal.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road in this industry. Every mistake I’ve made, it has taught me a lesson. I’m not afraid to share my failures because I know it will help someone else.
I have always had anxiety. It has impacted my entire life. The older I get the more I can manage it and not let it interfere with my life/career. My 8-year-old daughter also suffers from anxiety. It’s one thing to go through it yourself, but to watch the person you love the most deal with it has been difficult to say the least. One thing we talk about a lot is not letting our anxiety ruin our dreams. I always try to set a great example for her. I just want her to be proud of me and know that I always have her back.
My biggest piece of advice would be to find a mentor and surround yourself with people who share similar goals with you. This is so important. I’ve had many wonderful bosses who have really helped me see my potential as an educator and believed in me when didn’t believe in myself. I just want to say thank you to them and give them a quick shout-out:
Caroline Salman (Paul Mitchell the School Memphis)
Shauna Benz (David Pressley School of Cosmetology)
Andi Walker (Douglas J Aveda Institute Royal Oak)
No matter the obstacle I have faced (and I’ve faced many) one thing I can tell you about myself is that if I get knocked down, I get up and come back 10 times stronger. Obstacles are not about the setback but has everything to do with the comeback and how you react.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a hair artist and a passionate educator.
I specialize in all things hair color and formal event styling. A lot of my time is spent at the Douglas J Aveda Institute, sharing my knowledge and love for this industry with the amazing students. In the past couple years, I have really gotten into doing hair for weddings. I love making women feel beautiful on one of the most important days of their lives. I am currently booking bridal parties for 2023-2024!
I am most proud of the success I’ve created for myself in the beauty industry. It hasn’t been easy. There have been so many times where I just wanted to quit, but I kept pushing. I always tell my students that if you love this industry and you put in the work…It will love you back. Nothing has ever been handed to me. I’ve worked so hard to be where I am now. I am always practicing and trying to master my craft. A lot of the time, you can find me practicing a new haircut or updo technique at 11 o’clock at night or doing hair for my friends on my off days. I truly love what I do.
What sets me apart from others is my work ethic, customer service skills, and my passion/love for education.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Be a risk taker in this industry. Don’t be afraid to jump and take on a challenge. I’ve taken many risks in my life. It’s how you grow, and it’s how you learn! Never think you’re too good to learn something new.
If you are my current student or you are a former student, please SAY YES TO EVERYTHING in this industry. You never know what door it will open next. Say YES to folding towels in the salon. Say YES to that color correction service. Say YES to that haircut you are afraid of!
One risk I took that I am really proud of was flying out to New York City (in 2016) and auditioning for celebrity hairstylists Ted Gibson and Jason Backe to be on their artistic team. That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I got to work alongside industry icons and learn from them. I did make it on the team, but I, unfortunately, could not afford the expenses at the time. I will be forever grateful for this experience and I hope that I get to learn from them again in the future. The risk I took paid off because I realized my true potential and that my dreams are possible!
Pricing:
- Formal Event Styling $75.00 and up
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/glammaster_alex
