CREATIVE FREESTYLING

Courtney Johnson, a freelance creative hairstylist based in NYC, describes the leap from working for salons to working for herself.

NYC TO LA AND BACK AGAIN

It’s not easy to leave the stability of a full-time job in New York City, but hairstylist Courtney Johnson has never taken the easy route. After learning precision cuts in Los Angeles with Toni and Guy, she worked her way up from salon to salon and city to city until she made it back home to the Big Apple, taking on celebrity clients and socialites with Arrojo, Destroy the Hairdresser and other international brands.

For most, this would be the peak of their styling career, but Courtney continued to branch out and take things in her own hands. She began to freelance out of her home, building a loyal clientele including neighbors, friends, NFL stars and Victoria’s Secret Angels. Four years later, she’s still making it in New York and working under her dream mentor, Guido Paulo. Now she's getting ready for her next move, inspiring kids with cosmetology in an after-school program and making plans for her own brick-and-mortar salon.

ON TO THE INTERVIEW

I’m Julie Tracy, and I’m chatting with Courtney Johnson at home, over a hard lemonade and a plate of nachos. We’re talking about the long road road that led Courtney to freelance hair styling in New York, how she’s made it work, and what’s next. Her apartment is filled with band posters and art, motivational messages and styling supplies. Her bed is draped with an oversize silk canopy, and clothes peek out of every open door, showing that what’s inside of Courtney’s creative mind cannot be contained. So, what does it take to make it as a freelance creative hairstylist in New York City?

Courtney: You have to be irreplaceable. If you’re not ready to freelance yet, you’re working for somebody else’s dream, which is amazing that they have one. But then, what we're missing is yours. So you have to have a unique eye, something [new] to bring. You can’t be a repeat.

Julie: What are some of the challenges?

Courtney: You’re in charge of your entire schedule, you have your own clientele that are reliant on you, and you’re in charge of keeping track and managing your bookings. The receptionist, the boss, the manager... You don’t have any of that [as a freelancer] so you have to wear all the hats now.

MAKEOVERS INSIDE AND OUT

Julie: Let’s backtrack a little bit. What first drew you to cutting and styling hair?

Courtney: I was going to school for psychology, because I think people’s minds are really interesting and always helping people, which is a huge passion and has a lot to do with hair...[With hair] you’re already building such a bond with these clients where you’re really helping them on the inside. You’re helping them make over their look, but you’re also getting to know them, and getting really personal relationships with them.

Julie: How would you say a haircut helps someone inside and out?

Courtney: It can make or break them. I mean, it’s not makeup, you can’t wash it off. Especially with texture now, you can’t just redo it. Hair is a big deal! Also, people get their hair done for all different events. You can have someone sit in your chair who is on the way to their mother’s funeral. Just that blow dry is their... comfort.

SALON WORK TO SELF-WORK

Julie: You worked in salons from 2007 to 2016. How did you know it was time to leave?

Courtney: Creative color was blowing up, and at the best salons in New York, honestly they specialize, so you’re either going to color or you’re going to cut… Some [clients] would get texture or whatnot, or different celebrities or high-end people just needed certain times and private sessions, and that was the only way I was able to retain them.

I was working after work most nights, every day off with private clients because I was coloring half the time but with the private clients if you’re doing everything, they’re not going to come in and just get that. Because I was so busy outside the salon with personal clients that wanted [my] one-on-one time and weren’t going to go to the salon. I liked to make over the cut, color, texture, break it all down, fix it all, then maintain it.

I was beyond thankful for the job and everything I’ve learned and every mentor I’ve had there, but like every job should, you plateau at a point where you say… what’s your next step?

NEAR AND FAR

Julie: So as a freelancer, you take private clients here in New York, but also travel for work and do special events. Could you talk about where you’ve gone, and what you did this last fashion week?

Courtney: With fashion week, I mean it goes with New York, London, Paris and Milan and I’ve been lucky enough to network with the best shows there are. I’ve been lucky enough to work with one of the best mentors in the field.

This past September I ended up doing Sienna Lee, Marc Jacobs, R13 was a great show, and Proenza Schouler. I went into the season really not thinking I was going to do much, and planning to travel, but every time it comes along you still do something you’re proud of and thankful for.

SECURE IT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Julie: How does social media factor into your freelance business now? How do you find your clients?

Courtney: A small handful I did reach out to, but the best that I’ve gotten have either sat in my chair [at a prior salon] or messaged me on Instagram, or referrals. A lot of referrals. Once you gain someone’s trust, word will spread like crazy. Your work page [on social media] is a portfolio. People don’t have all the time in the world and they’re going to scroll five seconds and move on to the next thing. So you want to catch their attention quick.

I feel like for social media, your stories are very important and people want to know a bit about you and that’s something I've had to work on… They want to know your taste. I like to share some music, which is a huge passion of mine. [Things like] a concert you've been to, behind the scenes. I think that's a cool touch. A show that inspires me.

STAY HUMBLE, KEEP LEARNING

Julie: What's something you've learned along the way?
Courtney: I used to hate the word lucky, I thought that I earned it. And I did, I worked hard, I earned [clients'] respect and their loyalty. But sometimes it’s true, you are the right person at the right time when it’s needed and you accepted a job when it was needed. So sometimes it is luck, but also just following through.

[My] whole career has always been about continuing education... So I went from Toni & Guy, then throughout the salons over the years I’ve learned each color line. Where some people might get stuck in one, say Aveda is a huge culture, but why not learn Redken, Schwarzkopf or L'anza. Just learn it all! Learn the color wheel, learn how to fix anything.

NEXT MOVES

Julie: It sounds like you are someone who is constantly learning and looking into the future. Could you share some upcoming goals?

Courtney: We were talking about fashion week and I’ve done shows I’m so thankful for, but one goal is I need to do Rihanna’s show. I know a lot of people on her team and that’s going to happen.

A new goal that we haven’t talked about yet is to inspire the next generation. To give them passion. So I’ve been looking into being a cosmetology teacher in East New York for middle-schoolers. Good Shepherd gives after school activities for kids to help them develop a passion. There is a barber, a violinist, a dance teacher [on staff] and I would hopefully be the cosmetologist.

Julie: Thank you for sharing some of your story with us. It sounds like your journey is just getting started, and I look forward to hearing about your next moves.

Follow Courtney on Instagram at @courtney.ann.johnson and visit her website at www.courtneyannjohnson.com

Images taken from Courtney's website for illustrative purposes. Note that responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.