Meet Cherise Poole | Hair Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cherise Poole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cherise, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a new mom I really needed flexibility and a way to maximize my time and earning potential. The only way to do that was to be on my own where I can make my own decisions, get paid the rates that I deserve, be in charge of my schedule, and most of all build a network of amazing people!

I went from Salon life into partnering with Beauty apps where people can book a mobile beauty professional at their convenience. The apps created a platform to connect artists like me with people who wanted to have someone go to them for hair.

After 10+ years of hair experience I have become a well-rounded Hair Stylist. My specialties include Customizable Smoothing Treatments and Keratip and Tape Extensions. I offer Hair Color and Makeup and have a devoted clientele for Haircuts along with Blowouts & Event Styling.

By starting my own business, I am able to offer multiple beauty services such as specialty hair services. Many of these require a lot of time and my clients would rather spend this time in their own environment than elsewhere. Specialty hair services such as: Color, Customizable Smoothing Treatments and Extensions. These services aren’t available on many of the popular beauty apps. I feel I have entered an untapped market by making these specialty services available in the comfort of my clients homes. After 3 years of building a clientele by referral or through beauty platforms, I am able to work entirely on my own.

Due to social distancing there became a huge demand in the City for mobile Hair Stylists. Many salons closed down, some Artists moved away and many no longer wanted to go out to a Salon. Locals became accustomed to quarantine and having things done at their convenience.

Once businesses were able to open back up, I became increasingly busier with new and existing clients. This created the perfect opportunity for me to excel and grow my business.

Beauty apps have become increasingly popular in major cities. As a professional in the field for prominent beauty apps, I was also giving feedback and insight to these companies firsthand on the experience they are providing. I recognized the value I could bring to the marketplace with my expertise in hair to those interested in a simpler and direct approach to booking appointments with a beauty professional.

Starting my own business was a gradual process. I am fortunate to have an incredible clientele who remind me everyday why I love doing hair in all its forms. My business has given me the freedom to spend more time with my husband and daughter.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart from other Hair Stylists is that I operate as a mobile full service salon. I bring haircuts, color, styling, smoothing treatments, extensions, and makeup to wherever you are.

I’m excited to continue on staying current on the latest techniques, trends, and innovative products in my industry as well and developing my skills as an Artist and growing my business! I’ve always been an Entrepreneur at heart and am proud of myself for taking the necessary risks, where I can do something everyday that I’m passionate about, on my terms and make a good living doing so.

I got where I am today professionally through my passion as an Artist and my dedication as a Professional. Since I began my hair journey I was committed to learning and practicing hair. I have also had an affinity to hair since I was a child spending time styling, sometimes trimming any doll or toy that had hair as well as experimenting with my own hair. In High School I won “Best Hair” after getting a body wave perm only to end up with bleach blonde hair which is now apart of my signature style to this day. Hair has always seemed to come more naturally to me, even though its a super technical art form that requires a tremendous amount of knowledge, skill and detail.

Making a good living as a Stylist is not easy and is definitely not for everyone. If you don’t love it, you won’t excel. It’s a hard job that’s hard on your body and requires a lot of experience and effort to succeed and is not always as glamorous as it may seem. It’s a good laugh among Hairstylists because we often take on many roles as well.

The way that I have overcome challenges was to get better. I’ve put in the training and hours necessary to be confident in what I do. I’ve learned so many things both business and professional in regards to running a business, managing a schedule, communication and relations.

Along the way I have learned to maintain good energy in order to set the tone with others, to always be kind, authentic, and grateful, and in a town with some of the most incredible Artists in the industry to practice with humility. These lessons have never seem to fail and have set me up to have a successful Profession.

What I want the world to know about my story is that in my pursuit, I have spent the past 10+ years getting to a point professionally, mentally, emotionally where I can support myself and family as an Artist. I started off as an assistant for a year, then made my start in Salons and Barbershops for the first 4 years of my Career and worked off Beauty Apps for the past 4 years before I was able to operate my own Business. Being an Artist and having a Business has been my dream and I am very fortunate to be able to live each day doing something I love that adds value to others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love hiking, so for those who do too, I would recommend an early morning hike before it gets hot. An easy hike would be The Baldwin Hills Overlook, Medium effort hike to The Griffith Observatory from Griffith Park and more challenging hike Runyon Canyon.

For coffee definitely Dayglow, Endorffeine, Go Get Em Tiger, Alchemist Coffee Projects, and Bar Nine.

I love boba, some of my places for delivery is Yifang Taiwan Fruit Tea & Lucky Leaf Tea House and Red Straw

A little something for everyone and family friendly places would The Grove and Palisades Village. Definitely get dumplings at The Westfield Century City Mall or The Americana at Din Tai Dung, which is one of my favorite lunch spots.

Lacma

Cinema of the arts

The Reservoir

Favorite health food store Erewhon. where I frequent for snacks, groceries, hot food, cold food, smoothies, supplements, and beverages.

Fig and Olive, Osteria Mozza,

For fresh and crafted Destroyer, Tartine

Malibu Beach Day

Favorite vegan restaurants Urthe Caffe, Real Food Daily, Sun Cafe, gracias madre
breakfast – HomeState, courage bagels

lunch – Ggiata, APL

Favorite Farmers Market Brentwood, Saturdays 8am-12pm, Playa Vista Saturdays 9am-2pm and Pacific Palisades Sunday 8am-2pm

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I would like to thank my husband, Jas, who is my biggest supporter day after day and has been by my side from the beginning. Thank you for always thinking of me. You are my twin star, have the biggest heart, are so sweet and I have an amazing daughter because of you, love you forever!

I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my Clients and Friends who have supported me in my hair journey throughout the years. I am so grateful to have a wonderful community of people who inspire me daily. Your continued support has meant so much to me.

A special thanks to the Glamsquad team for creating a well developed beauty platform and for the amazing opportunities they provide to Beauty Professionals. I have so much love and respect for the Squad and the talented artists I’ve met along the way.

Instagram: @yocherise

Image Credits
Logan Compton Michel Roy