NYC-based hairstylist Sade Williams worked at one of the most prestigious salons in the industry, but knew she had the potential to build her own brand. In this in depth Q&A, she shares why she left working at Ted Gibson’s salon, tips on how to find a mentor and create a portfolio, and ways to land more freelance work. She also explains how creating an apprenticeship/assistant program helped her bring that big-city level of service to her 150 square-foot Sola studio. Was it hard to transition into the Sola studio life coming from Ted Gibson’s big and busy salon in NYC? Transitioning into Sola really wasn’t hard for me. Honestly, I was pretty sold on the idea of it because it all came down to me being the one in control. After I left working at Ted Gibson’s, I did get a feel for what it was like as a solo artist because I rented a chair for a couple of months after I left and before Sola. Was there anything you immediately missed once you left Ted Gibson’s? When you work in a high-end and big salon in NYC, you get used to the perks of working there and also having an assistant. You train your assistant to do things for you the way you want them done so you can focus on your clients. To have that is a bit of a luxury, and to not have that can be missed. Were you able to bring your client list with you or did you have to start completely over? If you want to be an entrepreneur and an independent stylist, you need a loyal clientele, and fortunately for me, my clients did stay loyal and followed me when I left. Do you still have or use an assistant even though you’re in a smaller space? Actually, I do, and I have created an assistant program in my salon. You are with me for a full year and I help prepare you for whatever it is you want to do. If you want to be in a high-end salon or do editorial work or own your very own studio, then I prep you for that. Having an assistant isn’t just to benefit me. The whole point of being someone’s assistant is the end result of something bigger. Even though I am in a studio, and I don’t have the room or ability to offer that assistant a permanent position, and that it’s my own personalized, individual brand, what I can do for them is prepare them for the next level. I’ve been in Sola for two years now and I’ve had two assistants. Both of them landed jobs in high-end salons that are very hard to get into. I helped them move onto their next level. One has moved onto doing more freelance work and the other one has been given the opportunity to grow a celebrity clientele. I offer the same perks that you would get as an assistant in a high-end salon. You’re not just shampooing hair all day. This is also a paid position in my salon. A lot of pros have big dreams of doing freelance work, but have no idea where to start. Any advice you can lend? It doesn’t matter what level you’re at—a hairstylist right out of beauty school or someone who has been in the industry for over 10 years—you have to either look for a mentorship program or someone to assist. Here are some things to keep in mind: You have to really know and understand the history and process behind the scenes because it is a lot different than working behind the chair all day. You also have to prove yourself and your skills, often. In the beginning, you’re going to be doing a lot of work for free. This is called testing. A lot of people referrer to it as TFP (testing for photos). If you’re a hairdresser, find a makeup artist or a photographer who is also doing TFP and work together. This will also allow you to create a portfolio. Create this portfolio to present to companies, brands, and agencies. Don’t assume that you can just go in there and get the job without having a good portfolio. Once you go this route of finding a mentor or a program, and when you start creating a portfolio, you’ll create this network of people that will open up freelance opportunities. You mention finding a mentorship program. What are some that you would recommend? I recommend the online classes called Masterclass, and recommend you take the classes that manufacturers offer. I know L’Oreal puts out some great classes, and Ted Gibson also has some available. There are also a lot of individual stylists who offer small courses as well. Remember, you want to learn from someone who has lived it and from someone who has been doing what they are teaching. Take the classes that are not just cut and color. For instance, Oribe offer courses in creating runway looks. When you’re working on the set, you’re not creating practical hair and the everyday looks in the salon. Always keep this in mind. This is also important to remember when you’re creating your portfolio. Something else to keep in mind is this: when your clients come in, they are often bringing in a picture as to how they want their hair to look. This is an editorial image, one that w