Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bailee Strickland. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Bailee, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Growing up, my parents were and still are the hardest working people I know. Some could call it being restless, but I have a hard time when I’m not doing something productive. My husband is actively trying to teach me how to rest but I can’t be convinced that it’s as simple as napping….
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I stumbled into the wedding industry by accident. I was about. a year out of cosmetology school and it seemed like it would be fun and the money looked good too. I asked a few questions to some people that have been doing hair for eons for advice and whatnot. With my newfound knowledge I dove head first into weddings. I didn’t’t take it too seriously at first but when I got engaged in 2023, I fell in love with weddings.
It is a great feeling knowing that you can help someone feel beautiful on such an important day. Many people have told me that it would be too stressful. for them. I would have to disagree.If you are truly passionate about bridal hair, it becomes an honor for someone to let you be a part of their wedding day.
As far as services go, I offer brides the best experience they could ever have. The less little decisions that they have to make, the better. Wedding planning is stressful enough as it is. From the initial inquiry for to the touch ups after everyone is all dolled up, no detail goes overlooked. I do specialize in Hollywood waves, boho braids and updos. I also offer the unique option of renting hair extensions for your wedding instead of buying them to only use them once and have them gather dust in a cabinet somewhere. I have also been toying around with the idea of adding makeup application to my list of services since I only offer hair stying right now.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Creativity. Passion. Adaptability.
The. wedding industry is one of the most creative ones out there, I mean the problem solving alone. I have always been creative in some way or another. As a kid, if I wasn’t painting shoes or building a blowdryer stand because my arms got tired, then something was wrong. I am so grateful to use my creativity on a regular basis.
You have to have a passion and hunger to do wedding hair. No one wants a wedding hair stylist that would rather be sleeping in or watching Netflix. That’s as bad as having a dentist that dreams to star on broadway. It sounds painful and like a recipe for disaster.
In the wedding industry, if you are rigid and stiff, it’s over for you. Weddings are chaotic. I think we have all experienced it in one way or another. Things are going to go wrong. There’s no way around it. The only way to handle it is to take it in stride and move on to the next pressing matter. If I forget to bring a mirror, which has happened before, we’re going to be taking trips to the bathroom to look into that one.
My advice is never stop learning. Cliché, I know. Did you know that hairstylists read more peer reviewed articles and journals than any other industry or field? There’s a reason why your hair stylist can seemingly work magic on you. If you have that passion and hunger and ambition then wanting to learn and know more will be second nature and you won’t even be conscious of it.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
“Jack of all trades master of none, though oftentimes better than master of one” There’s a lot to unpack. Being well rounded is so crucial in the wedding space. I may do hair but I have had to sew a veil to a bride because she was having a beach wedding with 40 mph winds. Her veil didn’t move, by the way. I have always referred individuals that aren’t well rounded as “one trick ponies.” While they may be fascinating and neat, they only excel at one thing. If you’re an accountant then this is probably a good thing and you can capitalize on your niche skillset. Ask any wedding planner about times when vendors don’t show up to a wedding. It’s nuts. I recently worked a wedding and the makeup artists/stylist that I was helping out has had to take pictures for the wedding because the photographer didn’t show, Luckily her sister is a photographer so she wasn’t completely lost. It is important to know your strengths in your industry, but it is equally important to try new things and see what else you can do. You never know when your plumbing or mechanic skill can come in handy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://baileecribbhair.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/baileecribbhair
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/baileecribbhair
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@baileecribbhair
- Other: https://baileecribbhairllc.etsy.com
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
