Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Loni Burkow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Loni , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I develop my confidence and self esteem by surrounding myself with people who not only lead by example but support their colleagues, in every way. You must allow (if not encourage) yourself to fail, at times. That is the only way you grow and change. You have to work at accepting the good and not allowing negativity to take over.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been fortunate to create and collaborate with some of the best Hairtstylists in the industry. I am grateful for and inspired by every client who sits in my chair. For most people, getting their hair done is a way to relax for a moment of self-care. For some, it can be stressful. The moment you can help a client to feel confident, and change their perception of themselves, is an inspirational moment. It is why I love what I do. You can make a meaningful connection with a stranger. It’s beautiful when a stranger becomes a client, becomes a friend, becomes family. Education has always been a passion, for me, and is an important element of what I do. I push myself to learn all that I can, so that I can better educate my clients and colleagues. I love teaching my clients about the latest products, styles, and techniques that can help them have healthy hair, with a style that is one-of-a-kind. As a Kerastase Brand Ambassador and former Kerastase Artist, I continue to learn about what it takes to keep your hair in the best condition possible. I am proud to be a Mentor Stylist at Luxelab Salon, in Santa Monica, California.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
There have been so many impactful moments along my journey. As with any creative endeavor you must remember to be patient and trust in yourself and your work. I have been very fortunate to have access to continuing education throughout my career. That is a result of some serendipity and a lot of actively seeking out opportunities to grow my knowledge. Getting better takes time and attentive effort. If you’re new and not very good at doing foils (for example), get together with someone who does a lot of color. Ask them questions, or just observe, if they are open to it. That begins by being honest with yourself about your own short-comings, and hyping yourself up to do the sometimes-difficult thing, though. Maybe most important of all is to remember to take time out to care for yourself. Whatever that looks like, for you, is what matters. It doesn’t have to have anything to do with hair. Hiking, travel, reading a good book, underwater basket weaving, whatever refills your creative batteries. That allows you to bring out the best version of yourself and your art.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
In September of ‘23, I had double artificial disc replacement surgery, in my cervical spine. I now know that this was a result of (among other factors) a condition which was exasperated by eighteen years of poor styling posture. I have been going through physical and occupational therapy since the surgery and already feel myself getting stronger. I am so much more aware of my bad habits, now (though they remain hard to break). If you are thinking about making this your career, invest in your body and really good shoes. The longer your body can hold up to the rigors of this business, the longer you get to bring joy to clients. Take three minutes between clients to stretch and breathe. Listen to your body and don’t ignore pain. You do not have to push through it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @loniburkow
- Facebook: Loni Burkow
Image Credits
Kiel Rucker
