We had the good fortune of connecting with Karinna Barley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karinna, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
There’s a quote from one of my favorite tv shows, Scrubs, that I always think about when it come to taking risks: “ I’ve been thinking a lot lately about taking chances, and how it’s really just about overcoming your fears. Because the truth is, every time you take a big risk in your life, no matter how it ends up, you’re always glad you took it.” An example of this is when I changed salons. I had worked at my first salon for the better portion of my career, and while I wasn’t happy there, I was comfortable. But comfort isn’t enough. I risked losing my clientele, but ultimately I gained a stronger appreciation for the clients that followed me. In the end, I took the best risk of my life and to this day I am so happy I did.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been a “weird kid.” I never fit into a certain crowd and I dealt with a lot of bullying throughout my childhood. Instead of letting that hinder who I am, I have used it as motivation throughout my life. I want my work, whether it’s hair or art or aerial arts, to show that it’s okay to be who you are. As a hairstylist, I take pride in vivid colors and customized styles because I believe hair is our greatest accessory. When you’re comfortable in your skin, you radiate from the inside out. I want to make each and every client feel beautiful and confident in who they are, always.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Brayden Pelletier, owner of Just B Hair Salon, saw my potential when I didn’t. From mentoring me in my early years as a new stylist to adding me to his team in 2016, he has been one of the consistent contributors to my success as a stylist.

Thank you to my clients, from the ones that have recently sat in my chair for the first time to the ones that have followed me from the very beginning.
Thank you for trusting me.
Thank you for allowing me to grow.
Thank you for believing in me. .
I would also like to give a shoutout to the people through my journey who tried to diminish my dreams.

To those who told me I couldn’t have a career doing hair.
To those who said I couldn’t make a living with a mostly “vivid” clientele.
To those who told me that my head was “always in the clouds.”
To those that said I was “too quiet”, “too weird,” “too awkward,” “not relatable enough” to make it in this industry. Thank you for lighting a fire in me I never knew I had.
Thank you for giving me the determination I need on the easy days, and the motivation I crave on the hard days.
Thank you for making me aware of my authenticity and keeping it in check. All I need is my craft, to create beautiful hair from my heart, and the real, raw connections I make with each guest. The success will follow.

Instagram: karinnamagic

Image Credits
Headshot: Kat Luzny