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Rising Stars: Meet Sarah Ajrouche of Dearborn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Ajrouche

Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Since I was a young girl, I’ve been drawn to doing hair—it’s all I’ve ever dreamed of. However, pursuing this passion didn’t come without challenges. Growing up, I faced a lot of doubt from others, especially my parents, who hoped I’d choose a more traditional path. They worried about the uncertainties of the beauty industry and encouraged me to go to college.

I followed their wishes and enrolled in college, but it quickly became clear that I was miserable. My mental health, already fragile due to a long battle with depression and self-harm since I was 14, began to worsen. It was during this time that a conversation with my then-boss, Kevin, changed my life. He asked me why I was pursuing dentistry, a question no one had ever asked before. After some reflection, I admitted it was because it’s what my family wanted. Kevin’s advice was simple yet profound: “Live the life that will make you happy because no one else is living it but you.”

The very next day, I made the bold decision to drop out of college and enroll in beauty school—despite the doubts and lack of support from those around me. People questioned my ability to succeed, using my mental health struggles as reasons why I couldn’t make it. But deep down, I knew this was my calling.

Once I started beauty school, everything changed. My mental health began to improve, and by the end of the program, I celebrated one year clean from self-harm—an achievement I’m incredibly proud of. Doing hair became my therapy; it gave me purpose and a sense of healing I never thought possible.

Today, I’m not just a hairstylist—I’m an advocate for mental health, using my platform to make a difference. My mission is to help my clients feel seen, beautiful, and empowered. I believe hair has the power to transform not just how someone looks but how they feel about themselves. It saved me, and my goal is to touch as many hearts as I do hair, helping others find their light in the same way I found mine.

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?
Pursuing my passion was anything but a smooth road—it came with its fair share of challenges. For starters, I had no support, which made the journey feel even more isolating. On top of that, I was navigating my own mental health struggles. While I was making progress overall, healing isn’t linear, and there were moments when I would decline, which drained a lot of my energy.

The cosmetology program itself was far more demanding than I ever imagined. It’s incredibly strict, with high standards and expectations. On top of that, it’s essentially a year of working as an unpaid hairstylist. We spent long hours on the clinic floor, serving real clients in what felt like a nonstop environment. I was enrolled in a full-time program, putting in 40 hours a week, while also holding down a full-time job and occasionally babysitting in the evenings. My plate was beyond full, and it got overwhelming at times, but I pushed through because I knew this was the path I was meant to be on.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an independent hairstylist specializing in Brazilian blowouts, extensions, and blow-dries. I’m particularly known for my signature bouncy, voluminous blowouts, which my clients love. One of the things I’m most proud of is going independent and building a clientele completely from scratch shortly after becoming licensed. While I gained some experience as an assistant at another salon, it was only a few months after being licensed that I took the leap to work on my own. Building a stable and loyal clientele in such a saturated industry is no easy feat, and I’m proud of how quickly I was able to establish myself and sustain my business. While I’m not yet where I ultimately want to be, I know I’m on the right path, and that alone is something I’m incredibly proud of.

What truly sets me apart is the way I connect with my clients. Many of them tell me how welcoming and comforting my personality is, even before they meet me in person. My social media presence creates a sense of trust and familiarity, and when clients step into my space, they often say they feel safe and at ease. For some, our relationship goes beyond hair—many of my clients reach out to me for advice or just to talk, which I deeply value. It’s more than just a professional relationship; I genuinely care about my clients and treat each one like a friend. For me, it’s about creating an experience that feels personal, supportive, and uplifting. It’s deeper than just hair—I’m passionate about making my clients feel seen, valued, and beautiful.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about our city is how supportive the community is—it truly feels like one big family. People here go out of their way to uplift and support one another, and that sense of togetherness is something I deeply appreciate. Another thing I love is the incredible variety of food. There’s amazing cuisine on practically every corner, which makes exploring new flavors and dishes so much fun.

On the other hand, something I dislike about our city is the traffic. It’s not just how busy the roads can get—it’s also the fact that, for some reason, it seems like everyone here is a terrible driver! Navigating through the city can definitely be frustrating at times.

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