Today we’d like to introduce you to Heaven Henderson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up I struggled with my identity and who I was going to become. It felt as if everyone around me knew exactly what they wanted. To be nurses, to be psychologists, or dermatologists, my friends and my peers had it all figured out. Throughout my highschool years, i spent a lot of time learning how to do make up. I ended up doing my peers graduation, homecoming, birthday, and prom looks. My family knew somehow this would roll over into my career one day. I would often hesitate because I didn’t think the beauty industry would “make a lot of money” or get me anywhere long term. And boy was I wrong. Post graduation, my mom convinced me that applying to a cosmetology school would be a good fit. I ended up starting cosmetology school two weeks later. The first two months were exhausting! Mainly because learning all of the terminology was like learning a completely different language due to my lack of any salon experience or research. Although foundations was hard, once we got onto the floor and started taking clients, all of the information started to make sense. From there I completely fell in love with hair color and styling. I would bring in all of my friends , family, and their family’s in as models to the school as well as practice heavily outside as I became obsessed with learning. Post cosmology graduation and state testing, I worked at two salons to house my current clients and build clientele while still expanding my knowledge. I worked as an assistant, onto a stylist, have taught many classes at salons and schools and ran my salons social media for over 4 years. Over the years, staying consistent with social media marketing, networking with anyone I possibly could, and providing a personalized & detail oriented experience for my clients, my clientele and my reputation grew. After 4 and a half years of growing, I decided to branch off and open Cloud Nine Hair Studio where I specialize in Color such as blondes and brunettes, Transformations, Extensions, Cuts, and Styling! My goal for my brand is to provide a safe & comfortable space, where my clients not only look beautiful, but feel empowered. Cloud Nine, the brand, is built around Resilience, Perseverance, Growth, and Belief. This is more than hair. Cloud Nine is about trusting the process, staying focused through challenges, and allowing dedication and consistency to create something meaningful. It’s a reminder that confidence is earned through effort, and that with intention and determination, anything you set your mind to is possible.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Along the way, I’ve faced numerous challenges. 4 months into my new career, I was terminated from my first salon, at the age of 19, without being given any reason or notice for termination. During this time, I felt brand new, eager to learn, & like I had given my very best efforts. With being so new and vulnerable in the industry, this crushed me and my confidence. I ended up taking the following two months to travel and blow all of the savings I had built up. I almost gave up doing hair completely, until I was reminded by my living example (my mother) that we do not and cannot give up on anything in life. Watching my single mother struggle & work 2 jobs to put me through school growing up, made me realize that if she can single handily get us to this point in life , I can push through and keep going despite outside options or being let down by something I thought was going extremely well. I then found a new salon that became my second home for 4 years.
I often struggled with my confidence & my voice. Growing up I was very shy, awkward, and when I wasn’t around people I felt comfortable with, I was quiet. Therefore starting, I was very uncomfortable with doing consultations. I knew that being service provider, that wasn’t going to cut it. Slowly I worked on my people and consultation skills, mainly because I was terrified of having disappointed clients. Being in this industry single handily forced me to be an outspoken and bubbly personality, which I am now grateful to feel comfortable, confident to have gained a voice.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Cloud Nine Hair Studio?
My Name is Heaven Henderson, The artist behind Cloud Nine Hair Studio! I’ve created this space with the intention of providing more than just great hair. I am passionate about creating an experience where every detail is intentional and personalized. I specialize in custom color, with a strong focus on detailed consultations so expectations are clear, realistic, and aligned from the start. My work also includes precision haircuts, extensions, and styling, all designed to enhance each clients overall look. I built my clientele through luxurious, bouncy blowouts and styling and that foundation continues to influence my work today. In addition to working behind the chair, I also love educating and mentoring students and fellow cosmetologists. Cloud Nine is a welcoming, safe space for everyone to relax, feel supported, and leave feeling elevated and cared for.
From navigating life’s curveballs, doing the unthinkable, prioritizing and powering through mental and physical health, finding your identity, overcoming & healing from past trauma, breaking generational patterns, gaining confidence in your appearance, walking away from abuse, silencing outside opinions, to having the strength to completely start over, my brand represents resilience.
What were you like growing up?
I often struggled with my confidence & my voice. Growing up I was very shy, awkward, and when I wasn’t around people I felt comfortable with, I was quiet. Therefore starting, I was very uncomfortable with doing consultations. I knew that being service provider, that wasn’t going to cut it. Slowly I worked on my people and consultation skills, mainly because I was terrified of having disappointed clients. Being in this industry single handily forced me to be an outspoken and bubbly personality, which I am now grateful to feel comfortable, confident to have gained a voice.
Pricing:
- FREE CONSULTATIONS
- Haircut & Blowout starting at $70
- Full Service Highlights starting at $320
- Smoothing treatments starting at $385
- Signature Cloud Nine Special starting at $130
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cloudninehairstudio.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbyheavenn?utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18sQFFPo7x/?mibextid=wwXIfr
