Meet Hayley Mackanin | Hair Specialist and Master Barber

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

Hi Hayley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Being in the industry for over 10 years, I’ve always dreamed about having my own space and branding. I’ve worked in a lot of different types of places, from full service salons to barber shops and I wanted to make a branding and business that everyone felt comfortable going to. That’s what I’ve tried to do with the Hair Hunny branding, and having a space to be able to showcase a level of barbering and hair styling that allowed for everyone to come and know they’re not only going to be leaving happy with their service but also eager to return.

Being able to have worked in different places, I was able to take what I thought worked well and leave behind what I thought didn’t. For example, a lot of people in the industry still price services for men or woman. I never felt comfortable doing that, and when I first worked at a company years ago that showed me inclusive pricing, I was eager to always do it that way. Pricing by length and density of hair makes so much more sense to me and also makes people feel comfortable knowing they aren’t going to be over charged based on what gender or non gendered that person is.

I think getting your hair done is and should be a relaxing time and creating a space where people can feel comfortable with themselves and also their barber or stylist is another big reason of why I wanted to create that for my clients. It’s important that my client know they can come here, be their authentic self, while getting to relax and unwind.

I love the path I have taken in this industry that has led me to where I am now. If I could go back and tell 18 year old Hayley just starting out where we are now, I don’t think I would have believed it. It’s a dream driving down PCH every day, putting that key in my suite door and seeing every different type of person come through. I’ve learned so much over the last decade and have grown into a business owner who can honestly say I’m proud of the branding I’ve done and continue to do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I got my first job at a corporate chain haircutting salon, it didn’t take me long to know I wanted to learn more. Don’t get me wrong, it was scary taking the leap. I was going from one place to the next, hungry to learn different skills on different types of hair but I knew every place I started at the bottom, I would grow and learn something that I wouldn’t have if I had stayed put in one place for too long at the beginning. I think that helped me where I’m at today. Although it took me awhile to build clientele, I wanted to wait to learn all that I could before i built up a clientele, so I could be that person who can do multiple clients and not just one type of client.

I think what also sets me apart from other barbers and stylists is having both a cosmetologist and barber license. Being a licensed cosmetologist for so long, I knew that getting my second license was something I always wanted and I’m so happy I did. Barbering has brought so much joy to my life and being able to have a day where I start with a short texturized haircut, to a long layered haircut with a highlight, to a straight razor head shave, to a blow out, to a skin fade and beard trim…. It really keeps things exciting.

As a kid, I faced so many obstacles with my health, battling brain cancer twice before the age of 18. That put things in perspective early on, and that has definitely made me into the person I am today. Seeing the world day to day after experiencing the struggles my family and I did, I truly don’t take life for granted and I know there’s no time like today to be really happy in all aspects of your life. Maybe that’s why I don’t mind taking risks, or that I know that no matter what, if I wake up to see the next day everything is going to be okay.

Also, going through all that, I saw the importance of giving back. I’ve been volunteering with various non profit organizations my whole life and still to this day which is why I’m so passionate about using my branding to do that as well. Last October, I organized my first head shave event in the month of September which is childhood cancer awareness month. With help from my friends at Port city tavern, we had a Oktoberfest themed charity night for St. Baldricks Foundation with free head shaves by me and a silent auction. I can’t wait to organize more events for more non profits which has been a dream of mine since I was a little bald kid going to events like that. It’s cool to come full circle and have the opportunity to do that with Hair Hunny.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Monday….We would take a drive down pch, I would have to stop in the morning at succulent roasters in sunset to get a lavender latte. After we would walk on the sand and catch up. Hitting up happy hour at BluGold at Pacific City is a must, the pie of the moment is the way to go after getting a yummy martini. After showing her the latest updates inside my suite 809 located inside Salon Republic, we would walk down and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the ocean.

Tuesday and Wednesday would mostly look like us going to warehouse sales in Santa Ana, stopping at fashion island for my favorite burger and honey sage fries at Hopdoddy, and taking my daughter to the local libraries.

Thursday, we would most likely spend at Disneyland, I’m a pass holder so know my way around the happiest place on earth and we’d grab a drink and ride some rides.

Friday, we would spend the day around orange circle in the shops and vintage stores before heading home to take my daughter and puppy to the dog beach! At night, I’d take her to my favorite bar located in Long beach, Port city tavern or any of the bars that have a live band!

Saturday, we’d take the coast to Malibu and enjoy the sound of the waves. After heading home to Orange County, riding bikes and checking out some weekend farmers markets in the area.

Sunday, we’d finish the week with a drag brunch at hamburger Mary’s in Long Beach before i drop her off at Long Beach airport!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to my family and friends who have become family. They’re the ones who, early on, would let me experiment and learn and take risks on their hair and I’ll always remember that. I also want to shoutout all my loyal clients. From Orange County to Long Beach to LA and back, you guys have followed me and are truly the greatest humans. I love my career because I get to use my creativity and skills on you! Thanks for being so great to me over the years!

Website: https://linktr.ee/hairhunny

Instagram: @hair.hunny

Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/hair-hunny-huntington-beach

Image Credits
Taylor Jaxson Photography