Meet Sarah Joyce

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Joyce a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

From Bedside to Beauty

For many years, I believed my future was already written. With a strong family legacy in nursing and healthcare, I assumed I would follow suit, especially after going to school for medical assisting and EMT, I ended up working as a Certified Nurse Assistant. It felt like my career path was already carved out for me, So many of my immediate family members were nurses, and I thought I was meant to do the same.

But it didn’t take long for me to realize that something didn’t feel right. I just knew, deep down, that this wasn’t where I was meant to be.

What had always lit me up was beauty.

Even as a high school student, I was obsessed with all things hair and makeup. I would devour Cosmopolitan magazines, tearing out the beauty pages and organizing them into carefully tabbed folders. I had sections for hair, makeup, skincare you name it. I’d even find any excuse to walk around Sally Beauty Supply. That store felt more like home to me than any hospital ever did.

Still, stepping away from a stable and respected career path wasn’t easy. Telling my parents I wanted to change directions was really difficult, But I did my research, found a school I loved, and once they saw how serious I was, they supported me.

That leap of faith paid off. Today, I have been working as a professional hairstylist for over 16 years and I haven’t looked back.

I finally feel like I’m doing what I was meant to do. Beauty is personal to me. It’s not just about how someone looks it’s about how they feel walking out of my chair.

In a world that often pushes tradition over passion, I feel like my journey is a reminder that fulfillment comes from following what lights you up even if it means rewriting your own script.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

For me, being a hairstylist has never been just about doing hair. Yes, I love the art of it the creativity, the transformation, the beauty but what truly lights me up is the connection. Behind every appointment is a person with a story, a life, and a heart that I get the privilege of knowing. Over time, clients become friends, and friends become family.

I’ve always been fascinated by psychology, and I’ve found that the salon chair naturally becomes a space for real conversations, laughter, support, and sometimes even tears. It’s like one big therapy session for both of us. There’s something powerful about how people open up while getting their hair done. It’s sacred in a way.

I don’t take it lightly that people trust me not just with their look, but with their lives. And that’s the part of this job that I cherish most.

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?

Being a successful hairstylist isn’t just about having great technical skills or knowing how to cut and color it’s about communication and listening skills. In fact, I believe communication is the number one key to success in this industry.

In the early years of my career, I experienced firsthand how easily a lack of clear communication could throw off an entire appointment. Misunderstandings, mismatched expectations, or assumptions no matter how small can turn a beautiful idea into a frustrating outcome.

That’s why I now dedicate a solid 15-20 minutes at the beginning of each appointment sometimes even having them come in for a consultation only before they even book with me depending on their ask and if they are nee to my chair. This is where I ask questions, listen closely, and make sure what my client sees in their mind is exactly what I see in mine. I don’t rush this part of the process, because it’s essential.

Even though I’m the one doing the work with my hands, it always feels like a collaboration. It’s not just me creating a look it’s us, working together, aligned in vision and trust. That shared clarity is what leads to not only beautiful results, but also a beautiful experience for both of us.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is how to balance my work with the rest of my life in a way that feels healthy and sustainable. I’ve chosen to structure my schedule by working more days but shorter hours, which allows me to show up fully for both my clients and my family.

This flexible approach means I can pick up my kids from school, take care of personal responsibilities, and still have the energy to be present in all areas of my life. I prioritize exercise, healthy eating, and plenty of sleep not just for my own well-being, but so I can feel recharged and ready for every workday.

Honestly, it feels a little like being semi-retired, I get to do something I love without burning myself out. I’m not cramming my days with back-to-back appointments just to stay afloat. Instead, I’ve created a rhythm that lets me enjoy my career, nurture my health, and be there for the moments that really matter.