Conversations with Holly Canton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Canton.

Hi Holly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a total introvert, can you believe that?! I absolutely love what I do. In high school, I was the girl who wanted to do everyone’s hair. I also loved playing soccer. I just couldn’t figure out which I wanted to do more. After a knee injury playing competitive soccer, I began pondering what can I really do with my life. I thought hair was just more of a hobby and didn’t think that you could actually support yourself doing it. Growing up, I went to the same hairstylist. At one appointment out of the blue she said, “you know Holly, you can support yourself doing this.” She was always such a wonderful individual. When I left I felt inspired and heard.

My parents thought they failed when I said I wanted to go to Beauty School; they thought it was a “passing phase.” I was the embarrassment; other parents’ kids were going off to college; theirs stayed behind to play “glow up” at Beauty school. Beauty school was such a great experience! After I graduated, I had such a wonderful opportunity to go through an assisting program. It gave me confidence behind the chair. I truly believe that the right doors open at the right time. After I spent a couple of years there, I hopped around a little until I found a wonderful salon to work at. After nine years at that salon, my husband felt it was time to step out of our comfort zone and moved to Arizona. At that time, I was not ready to start overdoing hair. It’s really difficult to build a clientele up, especially hard in a new state!! Plus, I was burnt out on doing hair. The biggest deterrent; we thought we would have kids right off the bat after we moved. That did not happen. I’m not one to be idle and I got a part-time job doing retail.

After a couple of years, we moved more north, close to family. It was at this point I began to wonder, “what am I doing my life?! I hate what I’m doing.” I began looking and interviewing at salons and that when I found Cast. It was newer and in such an up-and-coming area. It was just what I needed! Even though I had been in the industry for some time, I still had to learn a couple of new product lines. Cast gave me the opportunity to grow, learn and fall back in love with hair. I was not social media savvy so being in an environment that was so pro-learning helped. After being at Cast for two years, we welcomed our sweet baby. I’m so happy to be at the salon that I’m at and continue to flourish doing hair and making people feel good about themselves. It’s even better with the support of the family behind me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wish! It has not been a smooth home. I grew in a home where my immediate family was not supportive of me. That caused me to always question if I was capable. That followed me into my adulthood, where I didn’t want to take chances. I’ve learned that family is who you want it to be and it’s good to surround yourself with a family that does believe in you. I enjoy trying new things and taking risks!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a hairstylist as well as a therapist. 😉 I specialized in baby lighting blondes and lived in color. Being blonde myself, I always had a hard time when other stylists would just use the usual highlight techniques. Babylights requires you to have patience and take extremely finely woven hair strands and foil them. They look more natural and are blended but you can still get very light. I would say my babylight technique has set me apart in the industry as well as my ability to give a detailed consultation. I’m great at connecting with clients. I am most proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and building a clientele from the ground up.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I would say find someone who has your same mindset yet also looks at things differently than you. A person or persons who are willing to invest and teach you.

Contact Info:

• Email: lola10wood@yahoo.com
• Website: www.castsalonandspa.com
• Instagram: @Holly_canhair

Image Credits
Nicole Bowman Photography and Amy Phillips