Today, I’m the Client, my experience with a curly hair specialist...

Today, I get to be the client.

I’m heading in to have my curls cut by a curl specialist whose work I’ve admired for a very long time. I’ve followed him on social media, watched his work, studied his techniques, and honestly… obsessed over his curly cut results. And now, I get to sit in his chair.

And suddenly, I understand exactly what so many of my own clients have shared with me.

The excitement. The anticipation. The little bit of nervousness. The feeling of finally getting the opportunity to sit in the chair of someone whose work you’ve admired from afar.

I’ve had so many clients tell me, “I’ve been following you for years,” or “I’ve wanted to book with you forever.” I always appreciate hearing it, but today I’m feeling it for myself.

And then came the experience…

I sat in that chair for three and a half hours, and for those three and a half hours, it was all about me.

I felt special. I felt heard. I felt like I mattered.

I was told my curls were beautiful. I was never rushed. There was time to talk, ask questions, learn, laugh and simply enjoy the experience.

And the shampoo?

Hands down, the best shampoo I’ve ever had in my life.

My curls felt hydrated like never before. They were carefully set, dried to perfection, and the entire experience was so intentional.

The conversation was amazing—intriguing, educational and funny. I learned things. I laughed. I relaxed. I enjoyed every minute of it.

I had the best day.

And I absolutely LOVE my hair.

But you know what I loved just as much?

The experience.

I have found my new curl specialist.

Why would a curly hair specialist go to another curly hair specialist?

Because I believe it's important.

As curly hair specialists, we spend so much of our time behind the chair taking care of other people. We study, we learn, we practice, we teach and we pour so much of ourselves into our clients.

But sometimes, we need to sit on the other side of the chair.

For me, this isn't just self-care. It's market research, education, inspiration and awareness.

It's an opportunity to experience what another curl specialist has to offer. To remember what it feels like to be the client. To notice the little things. The things that make you feel special. The things that make you feel rushed—or never rushed. The questions that make you feel heard. The words that make you feel beautiful. The details you might otherwise overlook when you're always the one providing the service.

It's eye-opening.

And it's one of the greatest gifts I can give myself as a professional: the opportunity to learn from others in my field.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

And I believe that.

When I experience something I love, I don't want to simply keep it for myself. I want to take what inspires me and bring it back to my own business practice.

Maybe it's a technique. Maybe it's a product. Maybe it's the way someone communicates. Maybe it's something as simple as slowing down and making sure my client knows they have my full attention.

Whatever it is, if it makes me feel special, heard and cared for, I want to find a way to give that feeling to my clients.

Especially to those of you who have been following me, admiring my work and waiting for your opportunity to sit in my chair.

I owe you that.

So yes, I went to another curl specialist and got my curls done.

I got a beautiful haircut.

I had an incredible experience.

I learned a lot.

And I came home reminded of something I already tell my clients all the time:

Your curls deserve to be cared for. And so do you.

Today, I’m grateful I got to be the client. 🤍