“Who are you and what brought you to this industry?”

I’m Saaj. I’m a mother, a creative, I often find myself in organizational roles, and I’m super crunchy granola at heart. I made the transition into the beauty industry from fashion school with the intention of becoming a session stylist, but fell in love with the connection and impact that comes with taking clients behind the chair.

“What are your big 3?”

Libra sun /Scorpio moon/Cancer rising …And it all really tracks…

“What are your pronouns and how do you identify?”

She/her but I also know my way around some power tools lol

“What is your toxic trait?”

My expectations for the people around me are (almost) as high as the ones I set for myself… Send help.

“If you weren’t doing hair, what would you be doing?”

Back to the expectation thing… I think that all the other things that I would be doing, I am actively trying to also do now while doing hair. Highly unrealistic, but I’m currently in the process of writing a book, creating a scheduling software, and teaching myself how to DJ, along with a number of other creative projects and, of course, Mom-ing  real hard everyday. I am acutely in touch with the fact that I wear too many hats.

“What is your biggest ick?”

INAUTHENTICITY. It feels like I have a literal allergy for anything disingenuous and it literally makes my stomach turn. It’s so gross. 

“What impression do you want to leave on this industry?”

if you’d have asked me this years ago it probably would have been something along the lines of ‘bringing back the value of mastery as opposed to early career specialization’ but as my journey in this industry has progressed I’ve come to the realization that there is so much value to add in the curly hair space and if I can I’d like to aid in standardizing curl education for SO many reasons…

“If you were casted on a reality TV show, which would it be?”

Theres no way I have time to watch reality TV (with all my freaking hats) but it would probably have to be a DIY/renovation show of some sort. Don’t know where it stems from but I don’t have many boundaries when it comes to trying to do something myself that would typically be delegated to an actual qualified professional

“What, to you, is the most rewarding factor of being in a ‘people’ industry?”

The. Fucking. Reveal. If you’ve ever witnessed someone see what their hair (actually) does naturally with the proper support (cut, products, etc…) then you know what I’m talking about. It’s the blow your mind, “holy shit i thought i just had ‘frizzy’ hair”, “who even is sheeee”, Bambi-eyed, mouth drop reveal that is such a fucking high (for the client and myself) that i cant get enough of… IYKYK

“What year did you start in the industry?”

2012. It felt strange at first being in my mid-twenties and already “old” when i came to this industry. I was older than most of my peers and a handful of educators as well. That feeling didn’t last though. One thing I love about the hair industry is the way that, once your out on your own, you really can curate your crowd according to who and where you are on your journey. None of that other shit really matters to them as long as you’re not fucking up their hair.

“What do you specialize in?”

DON’T YOU TRY TO PUT ME IN A BOX! Hahaha I cant commit myself to one specialty because to me, thats like asking to pick between my children. I also NEED variety or I’ll die so I absolutely refuse to pigeonhole myself like that. I love it all and aim to be fuckin boss at all of it because i’m mentally ill.

“If you could shadow anyone in the industry for a day who would you choose and why?”

It would be a very close pick between; Jayne Matthews for her aesthetic and because I’m convinced she’s an actual genius when it comes to business. Naeemah Lafond (for so many reasons, I mean she’s an icon!) Her work is so consistent and the way she stands on business for the textured hair community is top tier, and Vera Mai Ha because her expression of creativity in hair takes my breath away every. single. time.