Meet Nataliya Ilkiv

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

Hi Nataliya, how do you think about risk?
Risk has been a consistent factor throughout my life. Growing up in Ukraine, uncertainty was a constant presence, leading me to reflect on the future and the direction my life might take. However, my mother instilled in me the importance of adaptability and facing challenges with resilience, fostering a sense of confidence from an early age. Her courageous decision to immigrate to the United States provided us with greater opportunities and opened doors for me to pursue my aspirations. The risks we took in starting anew in a foreign country shaped my perspective, teaching me that embracing risk is essential to navigating life’s complexities.

As a professional hairstylist within the beauty industry, I have encountered numerous opportunities for growth, each requiring a degree of risk. My career began in a salon where I received exceptional training and eventually advanced to the role of Director of Education, all while maintaining a full clientele. Despite this success, I recognized a desire for further growth beyond the comfort zone I had established. This realization led me to make a pivotal decision: I resigned from my position, relocated to California with only two suitcases, and embarked on the journey of building a career that was uniquely my own. While starting over was challenging, the experience has been invaluable. Embracing risks has enabled me to connect with new individuals, engage with diverse cultures, and navigate unexpected changes, all while achieving a better work-life balance through the establishment of my own business. I now look forward to future challenges and opportunities, confident in my ability to assess and embrace the risks that lie ahead.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Becoming a hairdresser is a challenging journey in itself. At the beginning of my career and education, I faced criticism for my choice, with many mentors, teachers, and friends warning me that I was making a mistake and would not succeed. However, after more than 15 years in the industry, I can confidently say that I love what I do! Following my passion has been the driving force that helped me navigate through difficult times. I dedicated many years to training, acquiring new techniques, and pursuing education from various sources and countries. The beauty of this industry lies in its vastness; if you choose to make it engaging and enjoyable, it certainly can be. The most challenging aspect is deciding which direction to take, what specialization to pursue, and where to establish yourself. I began my career in a high-end salon, built a clientele, and initially thought that would be enough to satisfy me. However, I soon realized I craved a creative outlet, which led me to explore opportunities in wedding styling, editorial work, and the realm of social media. I take pride in having the courage to restart my career, rebuilding it independently and connecting with remarkable creatives along the way. My brand reflects my personal style, energy, and genuine passion for what I create and contribute, which is the most significant aspect of my career journey—I have the freedom to choose

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow, in a sense that is a difficult question because there is so much to explore! Being a creative I love taking my friends to visit some of the coolest museums such as the Getty Villa in Malibu followed by a visit to the Huntington Gardens. A visit to the beach is also a must, where we can enjoy the colorful sunset. A hike is on the list, but if we don’t feel like doing too much exercise, we definitely dive into the food! Sugarfish for sushi is a must for most of my friends, a good burger at In and Out and a run to fanciers grocery store – Erewhon for some smoothies.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been so many incredible mentors in my life, but I have to credit my beautiful mother. Without her I wouldn’t be here, chasing my dreams.

Website: https://www.roamsalon.com/ https://www.nataliyailkivhair.com/

Instagram: Nataliyailkivhair

Image Credits
Steven E Gross Jose Villa Steve gripp 36neex Matthew Cooke Elm Diaz Walker studios