Salon Owner / Hair Stylist

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
At the young age of fifteen, I enrolled in a HS program that let me go to beauty school half day and attend regular classes the other half. I graduated six months early (at 17) just to get out into the big world and get my hands in hair. I ended up in Manhattan by the time I was 22 working at one of the hottest salons, working with celebrities and doing hair for the "shows" every season. By the time I left, I was the director of education for the salon I worked at and a motivational speaker to hairstylists nationally. I've currently been in LA for five years. I have a salon in Santa Monica. Our mission is to GIVE GOODNESS in all that we do.

2. When is the first time you wanted to be a hairstylist?   My passion for what I do began as a small girl (5 years old) in New Orleans. My Aunt Liz had the hot salon of the time right off Jackson Square. All I can remember is watching her at work and noticing that people seemed to leave happier. Being five years old, it wasn't the styles so much but the attitude shift in her clients’ that I noticed. I remember watching her and thinking, "I want to do that."

3. What drives you?
My current passion exists in building my team and being a successful entrepreneur. I'm fortunate to be at the point in my career where “giving back” is the thing that drives me. I look forward to my girls telling me how they just purchased their first home or even a new car. Or even to see their eyes light up when a shoot we've worked on makes it to print.

4. Where do you surf online?
SpinDaily of course! I love asmallworld.com. And oddly, urbandaddy.com. It’s fun to check it out from a guys perspective. A more work related site is behindthechair.com. It’s the best site out there for owners and stylists.

5. Do you have a favorite hair product?
My new love is everything by Pureology. I literally cannot keep it on the shelves. It is an incredible line.

6. What's next for Byu-ti?  I love this question. What’s next is to get our salon packed to the gills (we just celebrated one year!), open a second location for all the new generation of staff we’re growing, who are the next BEST out there! And open a school. The school speaks to my soul. It feels like the ultimate, “Giving Back.” This is the five year plan. There’s always more to come...

Natasha Sunshine is the lead hairstylist and owner of Byu-ti Salon in Santa Monica. www.by-uti.com

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