We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hailee Fortuin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hailee, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I used to struggle with imposter syndrome a lot more in the earlier stages of my career. But the further I got into it, the more comfortable I became. Now, I don’t really deal with it anymore. I recently saw an interview with Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher where she talked about how hard she’s worked and how that’s why she doesn’t get imposter syndrome—because she knows she’s earned everything she has. That really resonated with me. I’ve been braiding for 10 years, and I know what I’m doing. I’ve put in the time, the practice, and the experience, so I fully believe I deserve every opportunity that comes my way.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I run two businesses that both revolve around festival hair but in different ways. Hailee Kay Hair is my service-based business where I focus on braiding, styling, and education, while Half Sweet Studios is my product-based brand, offering festival braiding hair, tie-in braiding hair, and festival hair essentials.
What I love most about what I do is the mix of creativity, education, and innovation. Festival hair is such a unique art form—it’s bold, expressive, and constantly evolving. Whether I’m braiding at an event, teaching stylists new techniques, or developing products that make high-impact styles more attainable, my goal is always to help people feel confident in their craft.
Education has been a huge part of my journey, and I’m excited to be launching Hailee Kay Hair Braiding Academy—a program designed to help stylists master festival braids, refine their skills, and build careers that truly support them. I’ve been teaching in various ways for years, but this is my biggest step yet in creating a space where stylists can really grow.
With Half Sweet Studios, I’m focused on making high-quality festival hair more accessible—whether that’s through premium braiding hair, tie-in braid sets, or other essentials that make styling easier.
With Hailee Kay Hair, I’m dedicated to education and services, helping stylists refine their technique and create festival hair that stands out. There’s so much more to come, and I’m excited to keep pushing the industry forward!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three things had the biggest impact on my journey: technical skill, adaptability, and confidence.
1. Technical Skill – When I first started, there weren’t many people doing festival braiding, so I had to figure out a lot on my own. I learned through trial and error—refining my technique, figuring out how to braid faster, work cleaner, and create styles that last. Over time, I developed methods that made the process more efficient and repeatable. If you’re starting out, focus on mastering the fundamentals first. Clean parting, tension control, and efficiency will take you further than just copying advanced styles without a solid base.
2. Adaptability – Festival hair is always evolving. When I first started, certain styles were popular that you rarely see now, and new trends keep emerging. But beyond trends, I also had to adapt my techniques to different hair types, client requests, and even the demands of working at fast-paced events. Being able to pivot and problem-solve in real time has been a game-changer. If you’re still building this skill, put yourself in new situations—try working on different hair types, test new techniques, and challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone.
3. Confidence – This took time. Since there was no set path for what I was doing, I had to trust myself without any formal education or validation from others. What built my confidence was hands-on experience—seeing my styles hold up through long festival days, working on all kinds of hair, and constantly refining my approach. But if I had access to education back then, it would have saved me so much trial and error. Now, there are resources available that can help stylists build confidence faster, whether that’s through structured learning, mentorship, or feedback from someone who’s been there. If you’re struggling with confidence, invest in your education—it will help you grow so much faster than trying to figure everything out alone.
For anyone starting out, my biggest advice is to find a space where you can learn, grow, and get feedback. You don’t have to struggle through it alone like I did. Master the basics, stay open to learning, and trust that confidence comes with time. The more you invest in your skills now, the faster you’ll grow into the stylist you want to be.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was showing me what it looks like to build something of your own. Both of them owned their own businesses, so I grew up seeing firsthand what it takes to create a career on your own terms.
My mom, especially, has been a huge inspiration. She’s a yoga teacher and owned yoga studios, and I watched how she dedicated her life to helping others—not just teaching yoga but truly supporting people on their journeys. She’s still the person I go to for advice, whether it’s about life or business, because she just gets it.
That influence has shaped me in so many ways. My new venture into education comes directly from that inspiration—seeing how she was able to change lives by sharing what she knew. Now, as I step further into teaching, I want to create that same kind of impact in my own way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://halfsweetstudios.com
- Instagram: @haileekayhair & @halfsweetstudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@haileekayhair
- Other: Online Education / Braiding Academy – https://haileekayhair-braiding-academy.thinkific.com/
Image Credits
@jakecoxphoto
@thevividcollective
@brunetteblackwhiteboudoir
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
