As a child, Renee Callender remembers her grandparents making her write down the life that she wanted to have one day. She envisioned owning a place where women could ‘come and relax.’ Renee never planned on going to beauty school, becoming a hair stylist for celebrities like Heidi Klum and Axl Rose, or owning her own salon. She wanted to become a lawyer. However, like many of us, ‘life happened’ and placed Renee on another course. Over the years, she has created a career that she describes as “part therapist, part beautifier, and part student of life.” Renee has found both a profession that she enjoys and a purpose in helping women find confidence in themselves.
What was the path that led you to become a hair stylist?
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It’s important for people to know that what you decide to do for a living doesn’t always come to you right away but develops over time. For me the process started when I was 16, and had my first daughter. Everyone always asked if she was a boy.
So I learned how to grow and style her hair, and taught myself how to do cornrows. My mother told me that I could make money doing other people’s hair but, at that time, I wanted to be a lawyer and didn’t give the idea much thought. Over time, other people kept saying the same thing so I applied to beauty school. When I sat down for the interview, is when it hit me – that this is what I’m supposed to do.
What is your advice for someone who is thinking of becoming an entrepreneur?
Start by working for someone who is really good at what you want to do. In the 80s, I worked at
Hair Weaving by Evelyn.
She was pioneer in hair weaving. She was a tough boss but she taught me a lot. One of the biggest things I learned from her is - to have a successful business you need a great staff you can rely on. Working for others also teaches you what not to do. You can see firsthand what doesn’t work so you don’t make the same mistakes in your own business.
What’s one big lesson that you had to learn the hard way?
I entered into a business partnership (a corporation) with a friend who I use to work with. We got along well and thought she’d make a good partner. I soon found out that she wasn’t honest about her financial situation. She also was very defensive whenever I made suggestions about the business and simply refused to communicate. We tried (unsuccessfully) to work things out. In the end, I spent more money to dissolve our business relationship that I actually made over the course of that one year. Assuming that things would just work out was a big mistake. Creating a partnership is something I would never do again and was a very expensive lesson to learn.
Even people who love their professions, don’t love everything about what they do. What are the best and worst parts of your job?
What I like the most is that I’m helping women have confidence. How a woman’s hair looks has a lot to do with how she feels. Whether it’s going on a date, meeting someone for the first time, or having a big day at work, someone’s hair is often the first thing others see. When I finish a client’s hair and they leave my chair - I literally see their confidence change.
Doing hair is hard work. I’m on my feet all day, using my arms and twisting my neck for hours. It’s also hard mentally. If people are angry or have problems - they bring that with them. Some women cry, others share serious issues that they’re dealing with. Even though it takes a lot out of me, I listen because it’s not about me when they come in, it’s about them. I’m not a professional (therapist) but sometimes I feel like one.
What do you think you would do if you hadn’t chosen this profession? Do you ever consider doing something else?
I think I would be working with children. Currently, I am working to open another salon on the Upper West Side.
What is the biggest leap of faith you’ve taken in your career? And, what three things would you suggest to someone wanting to start their own business?
Opening my first salon was a big leap of faith. I always envisioned having my own business. I thought that would be the best way to better my finances, help me pay more bills and grow my clientele. This was before the Internet and everything was about word of mouth. I started inquiring about ways to get financing. Then an opportunity came and I grabbed it. Even though the partnership didn’t work out and it took a lot of time and money to regain sole control – I never lost faith. I just kept believing in myself and remembered all of the times my grandparents encouraged me to dream about my future.
My advice for future business owners is this … first, make sure the business is something you love and have always wanted to do. Secondly, keep current and constantly learn about what you do because things are changing all the time. Lastly, to be successful in working with people - you need to learn how to listen. I’ll also add – no matter who you choose to work with (even friends or family) make sure it’s someone you trust.
What’s one unconventional lesson that you have learned from someone else?
I once worked with someone who “oversold” herself and what she could do, while she actually damaged a lot of people’s hair. Whatever you do, study and do it well. Being great at what you do will impress people much more than whatever you have to say.
About Renee Callender:
Renee Callender is a wife, mother of six, successful hair designer and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the beauty industry. After becoming a mother at age 16, Renee went to cosmetology school, discovered a profession that she loved, and became a master hair weaver and braider. She has worked with many Broadway actors/actresses and high profile clients such as Heidi Klum, Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses), Vivica A. Fox, and Coco Austin (Ice Loves Coco and Ice & Coco). Over the past few decades, the native New Yorker has worked for a number of celebrity salons such as Harold Melvin’s, Hairstyles by Joseph and Grace Monica’s in Brooklyn. In 1999, she established Renee’s Hair Designs on the Upper West Side where she currently works (within Harold Melvin’s Beauty Salon) with her daughter Afi Callender. The mother-daughter duo specializes in hair weaves, extensions, braids, relaxers, haircuts, and corrective hair color. Renee is Living on Purpose not just as a hair stylist and but as an advocate for women, dedicated to helping them gain inner confidence by looking great on the outside. Renee studied Sociology at CUNY/John Jay College. Follow Renee at reneeshairdesignsnewyork.com or on Facebook at / Renee’s Hair Designs NEW YORK.