Community Highlights: Meet Burgundy Hubert

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Burgundy Hubert.

Hi Burgundy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.

My story started in a cubicle. I felt stuck in corporate culture. When I worked harder, I felt like my reward was higher stacks of work. It was painful on so many levels, and I was mentally suffering. I remember staring at this hairdressing school website online and just dreaming of a job that I could truly love.

My dear fiancé agreed to support me through beauty school. But to my surprise, after I started doing hair in Oldtown Scottsdale, I found the salon culture was much of the same. Not all, but a lot of salons still believe in hustle culture. This lead to some unethical treatment and working hours, and there is no HR. I decided to keep going and push myself harder in my career.

My good friend from beauty school saw my struggle and brought me over to her salon home in North Scottsdale. This is when I was able to really take off. My schedule filled up within a few months, and I started to become known for my scalp massages.

At one point, I proposed creating a new service for my guests, one where there was a mini facial and an extra-long head massage. The salon turned me down because they didn’t want to create a new menu item. That’s when I knew it was time to fly free. I wasn’t sure if I could do it. I thought I needed more training or more education.  Despite my doubts, I dreamt up Desert Rain Hair Studio.

On October 1, 2022, I started in my tiny studio of a humble 103 sqft. I created luxury services with face masks and head and hand massages. I invested more time into Instagram and sought to grow my clientele. That’s when a head spa reel popped up on my feed. I gasped, “This is what I’ve been looking for!” I began to consume head spa education online, like eating popcorn during an action thriller. Head Spa encompassed what I was already doing and expanded upon it. And no one was doing it in the valley.

I launched my head spa services a year later exactly, October 1, 2023. During this time I was in a small group, Commonwealth Cohort, that spurred me along to take risks and seek out new opportunities. I had a power partner that encouraged me to reach out to influencers and businesses to help me grow my head spa. I got to work with Things.to.do.AZ and was promoted on their Instagram with an incredible reel. I was nervous, but I also sent an email to Lacy Cain from WildJoy Experiences. You only kinda get one shot when reaching out. What happened next is wild; Lacy walked into my suite one fine day and greeted me with a hug. After Lacy’s reel was released, I booked up for three months straight in an hour and a half. Yes, It was the Thursday before the BEST Christmas EVER. I feel like I won the lottery in clients. My business EXPLODED. I went locally viral thanks to these angels. Those reels are at 339K and 138K. I’m grateful to have met these genuinely talented, and inspiring people and to have been a part of their Christmas stories.

Today, you just gotta keep pinching me. I am booked out four months in advance. I am moving into a double suite, preparing it for two head spa stations to accommodate couples and besties. I also have head spa education in the works with the number one Japanese Head Spa company, Milbon.

I am connecting and partnering with other women-owned small businesses to support each other’s dreams and sell their retail. I’ve got so much more for you all to look forward to. You just wait. Stick with me, and I’ll take great care of you and your scalp.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Since starting head spa, I have had some setbacks, but it’s mostly limited by me only being one person.

I’m pushing myself to expand to this double suite to hire an assistant. Eventually, I’d love to have my own head spa, that is, salon suites, to empower other hairdressers to become entrepreneurs themselves.

I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Desert Rain Hair Studio and @scottsdaleheadspa?

My little studio was born from my determination to break free from the dominance of any one employer. I am living my dream and am passionate about helping other professionals achieve theirs.

I’m also inspired by the concept of ‘slow care,’ a term I embraced thanks to my business partner, Jazeena, from a body serum candle company. I warm these candles before each client’s hand massage. They softly illuminate the room while I perform the head spa services. These candles are crafted from seven face-grade oils, tempered to avoid burning the skin. You must wait for the oil in the candle to melt before it can be applied, serving as a beautiful reminder to slow down and nurture oneself.

I’m here to help people relax and grow their hair longer and healthier. My time at the shampoo bowl, massaging clients’ scalps, has proven to be profoundly beneficial—more so than just cutting or coloring hair. I specialize in head spa services, known for their ability to clear scalp buildup, promote better sleep, and help reduce signs of aging. The science behind it is fascinating.

With my educational background and years of hands-on training, along with my studies in trichology, I am making a significant impact on individuals with scalp issues. I am incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made in just six months of offering head spa services.

I want my clients to know that I am currently developing a new booking system to streamline the process, making it easier for everyone to schedule appointments without lengthy wait times. It’s an exciting development!

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.

Well, I wear a 777 necklace. I think it’s about manifestation and timing for sure. Luck or God or the Universe has definitely played a part. I was able to start right at the cusp of the Head Spa movement. I’m so grateful.

When I opened my head spa, the only other people in Scottsdale were doing scalp treatments instead of the actual head spa itself. Head spa is a whole 12-step experience starting with a skin analysis. I knew that if I opened up my head spa and partnered with WildJoy, I could take off. I just fricken knew it.

Pricing:

• My 2-hour Mythical Monsoon Head Spa will blow your mind for $210.
• Jazeena body serum candles are only a $16 add-on, and you get to take them home.
• Extra Time for Extra Hair only costs $10.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/desertrainhair
• Instagram: @Scottsdaleheadspa

Image Credits
Aaron Harris
Valerie Bachelor
Kylie Lynch