Today we’d like to introduce you to Rylie Combs.
Hi Rylie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up, I had zero interest in hair or beauty. I loved school, loved learning, got good grades, and always thought I’d end up working in psychology somehow. For a while, I even dreamed about opening an equine therapy farm to help people who had gone through abuse or trauma.
When I got to college, I studied psychology for two semesters and realized pretty quickly it just wasn’t for me. So I decided to give hair school a shot, and I ended up falling in love with it—especially the science behind it. Once I started practicing, it all came really naturally. I was 18 when I started doing hair, and I feel so lucky to have found my career that early on.
I worked in a big salon for over five years but eventually realized I was craving something a little more low-key and personal. So in 2020, I opened Soulful Hair Studio. Since then, I’ve gotten married, had two beautiful babies, and been through all of life’s highs and lows, always coming back to my little salon that feels like home.
These days, I’ve worked hard to find a balance that lets me spend time with my kids while still being fully present for my clients when I’m in the salon. I also have an amazing co-stylist who’s been with me since 2021. She’s basically like a sister to me, and I’m so proud of everything she’s accomplished too.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, it’s been a pretty smooth road. I’ve always had a “bound and determined” mindset. When I set my sights on something, I come up with a realistic plan and follow through. That’s exactly what I did with my salon. Of course, there have been ups and downs, but I’ve always stayed focused on my business goals and found a way to make them happen.
I’m a bit of a minimalist, so I don’t get caught up in chasing the “latest and greatest.” I stick to my budget and keep things running as smoothly as possible, and that’s worked really well for me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a hairstylist, and I’ve spent most of my career specializing in blonding services, with a big emphasis on keeping the hair healthy and making sure my clients’ upkeep stays low maintenance. I focus on offering hair services that actually fit my clients’ lifestyle and budget, while still helping them reach their hair goals.
Hair services are a luxury, and in a perfect world, I’d love for everyone to be able to treat themselves in a way that works for them. I think that creating a safe, welcoming space for my clients and building real friendships along the way is something I am known for.
Any big plans?
I am simply coasting right now. My main focus is my family and raising young kids. I absolutely love my salon just the way it is and my location, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Sometimes I think about the idea of opening a larger salon, something with enough room for a few more stylists, and running it in a way that really supports them and their personal goals. You want to be an hair care brand educator? Amazing! How can I help? You want to be home with your kids and do hair part time? Great! Let’s figure out how to make that work for you.
I don’t know if I’ll ever actually take that leap, but I won’t pretend the thought doesn’t cross my mind pretty often.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.soulfulhairstudio.com
- Instagram: Soulful Hair Studio
- Facebook: Soulful Hair Studio
