Conversations with the Inspiring Carissa Mott

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carissa Mott.

Carissa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I knew I wanted to do hair since I was a freshman in high school. It’s something that came very naturally to me. My girlfriends would all come over and I’d do their hair for dances and Friday nights before we went to the football games. I can also remember sitting in front of my mirror on nights I didn’t have anything to do and teaching myself how to curl my hair in different ways. But my dream of becoming a hairstylist didn’t come until years later in my life.

I played competitive club soccer from the ages of 6-18. I ended up getting a soccer scholarship to play out of state. My dad told me once I was done with college that I could still pursue my dream of being a hairstylist if that’s what I really wanted to do. Well as fate would have it, I ended up tearing my ACL in both knees in two separate injuries one year apart. So, there went my college soccer career.

I ended up having every job imaginable from being a waitress, bartender, and teacher’s aid. I even got my CNA license because I thought I wanted to be a nurse. It wasn’t until I was working as a customer service rep for a corporate company working the typical 8 to 5 that I decided it wasn’t the life for me. I wanted to be my own boss and make my own rules. So, I literally quit my job and enrolled in Empire Beauty School the following week and that’s how my journey started.

I went to cosmetology school for a year and I had the privilege of assisting two amazing stylists, Mary Hernandez and Jade Neal who taught me so many things that I am beyond grateful for. Once I graduated, I had a full-time chair as a commission stylist. Within a year I couldn’t even take walk-ins anymore because my books were full. I then became booth rental. After a couple months of renting I decided it was time to spread my wings and make a change from working and living in Goodyear, Arizona and bring my talents to Old Town Scottsdale. That is where I met the beautiful owners of Stray Salon, Janeen Hess, and Selena DeMarco. They offered me a chair at Stray and here I am, 2 years later.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely hasn’t been the smoothest but I wouldn’t say it was hard. I had to work 3 jobs during cosmetology school while living on my own for the first time, scary! The hours were long and tedious and I was much older than everyone in my classes because I started later in life. So, it was hard to stay focused and become friends with girls because I was in a different place in life than they were coming straight from high school. But I was determined. I wanted to make sure I finished something I had started. The teachers always said the students enrolled in school with a full-time job are 50% more likely not to graduate. I couldn’t fathom spending all of that money to not go all the way. Believe me, there were days that I didn’t want to get up and out of bed after working my job from 7 pm to 7 am. I was tired and had to be at school by 9 am. There were days, I couldn’t get out of bed because I was running myself so thin. Because of those absences, I had to make up time which leads to my graduation date being pushed back. Looking back now, everything was worth it and I’m proud of myself for doing it all on my own and getting to where I am today. It’s been a lot of guerilla-marketing and hustling on my own. It’s definitely not a job where clientele just magically appear. You have to work really hard for it and I did. I would tell the girls going through the process and attending cosmetology school today that it isn’t an easy way out. It’s a job where you have to hustle and put in many hours both inside and outside of school and the salon but if it’s something you truly love and want to do that the outcome and career you gain from it can be extremely rewarding.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Hairmotty story. Tell us more about the
I am a hairstylist in Scottsdale. I specialize in color corrections, ombré, balayage and updos for special occasions. I’m known for my transitions and blends mostly from my clientele that have huge color transformations. I do a lot of bridal hair as well. Many of whom were referred to me by clients for braiding and updos. I’m most proud of my self-promoting and marketing. I do all of my marketing myself via Instagram, Facebook, ads, and client referrals. What sets me apart is my honesty. A lot of clients see a picture and want the exact look when they sit in a stylist’s chair. A lot of the time, it’s not even possible. As a stylist, I don’t want to give you false hope or say I can deliver on something knowing it’s not possible. I know this happens a lot because I book a lot of color corrections in my chair. I am all about keeping the integrity of my client’s hair. So with being honest with myself and my client, I am okay with telling them, look this isn’t possible or it will take a lot of sessions, time and money. If you’re willing to go through multiple stages to get to your desired goal, I’m willing to work with you. I will never slap color or bleach on someone’s head knowing the outcome is not achievable. Sometimes, it’s not what a client wants to hear but having healthy hair rather than damaged hair is a better end result.

Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
Honestly, I just don’t have one. Every woman in my life has inspired me in some way. They have always had some knowledge or life lessons to guide me through each obstacle in my life. They all have inspired me to work harder and to be a stronger individual.

Pricing:

• Bridal updo $175
• Ombré $310
• Balayage $275
• Highlight $250+
• Partial highlight $135+
• Haircut $60

Contact Info:

• Address: 4375 N 75th St Scottsdale, AZ 85252
• Website: Www.hairmotty.com
• Phone: 623-293-0834
• Email: mott.carissa@gmail.com
• Instagram: Hairmotty
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/hairmotty/

Image Credit:
Shelby Lea photography, Ryann Lindsey photography, Michael Franco

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