You’ve watched every transformation video on TikTok, practically live at the shampoo bowl of your local salon, and more than once have thought, “Maybe this is more than just a hobby.” Before you grab the shears and sign up for hair school—whether you dream of the celebrity circuit like Kenna Kennor, Britt Lower’s husband, or just want to make people feel amazing in your own community—there’s some real-world advice you need to hear. Who better to walk you through it than the legend himself?
Not sure if you should trade a desk job for a styling chair? Here’s what you should know before saying “yes” to hair school, Kenna style.
Your Love for Hair Has to Outlast the Glam
Kenna is the first to say that you have to really love hair. Not just styling your own, but touching other people’s, day in and day out. The reality is far less glitzy than the highlight reels. There are days full of back-to-back root touch-ups, manic Monday trims, and yes, the occasional disaster to fix. Are you still grinning at 6 p.m. with hair scattered on your shoes? That’s when you know you’ve got the itch.
Hands-On All Day? Ask Your Body
Standing for hours, holding your arms up, chatty clients, and barely a lunch break… hair school (and the job) is physical. Kenna remembers long days on his feet, sometimes barely grabbing a sandwich between color foils. If you hate being glued to a screen and love moving, you’ll thrive. If not, you’ll know quick.
It’s About People As Much As Hair
Here’s the big surprise: being a stylist isn’t just about bangs and balayage. You have to love people. Kenna always says that you might be the highlight of someone’s day—or their safe space to vent. If you’re patient, a good listener, and don’t mind small talk (or big feelings), you already have half the job down. If you can cheer someone through a breakup or hype them before a job interview, you’ll do more than style—you’ll connect.
Be Ready to Learn the Basics (And Never Stop)
Sorry, but you won’t learn magic color formulas on day one. Kenna points out that every great stylist gets humbled—rolling towels, washing bowls, sweeping floors, learning sanitization, and perfecting the basics before ever attempting that trending wolf cut. Ready to check your ego at the door and always keep learning?
Cost and Commitment—Get the Facts
Hair school isn’t free, and the hours required for licensure can be surprising. Research local programs (preferably ones with good job placement), ask about tuition, kit fees, and what their grads do next. Kenna warns against sketchy programs and suggests reading reviews, talking to recent students, and checking success rates.
No Set Path—But Tons of Opportunities
From Saturday salon shifts to editorial shoots and traveling with celebrities, Kenna’s career proves there are endless directions after hair school. Don’t feel boxed in—start with the basics, stay curious, and your own path will reveal itself.
Bottom Line: Be Real, Be Ready
Kenna Kennor’s best advice? If your gut says you’re meant for this world, don’t let fear stop you. Prepare for long days, big personalities, and a career that’s as rewarding as it is demanding—and maybe, just maybe, you’ll love every minute behind the chair.
