Meet Madi Godfrey | Queer Hairstylist

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

Hi Madi, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
In the beginning of my career I struggled so so much with keeping work at work. Being a hairstylist means so much to me and I would constantly reply to clients after work hours or first thing in the morning when I woke up because I was afraid if I didn’t reply fast enough that they wouldn’t come to see me. I, very recently, have learned to set down my phone and be present. I do still struggle sometimes with replying outside of work hours but for the most part I try to be present with family and friends. Another issue I have had in the past is employers taking advantage of my work ethic. I am a very type A person, very organized and clean and typically when a boss notices that I am suddenly doing way more work than I get paid for. I would work shifts I wasn’t comfortable with and would come in at the drop of a hat because I wanted to be liked, but in that, I lost a lot of valuable time with family, friends, and my partner. At my current job I have a wonderful boss who gives me time off to spend with my family, partner, and friends. I don’t feel like I have to do tasks at the drop of a hat and I am slowly starting to recreate my ideal work life balance.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The salon I am working at is called Forté – this space and my boss Emma have truly helped me step out of my comfort zone and set me apart from others in my industry. I am a queer hairstylist that focuses on gender affirming haircare. So many gender non-conforming folks don’t have proper affirming care in their lives and don’t know where to turn to find a truly open and inclusive space to get their hair done. Ever since I began doing hair is has always been my mission to create that space for people and hold space for them to be authentic in my chair while giving them the haircut /color of their dreams. Getting to where I am now has definitely not been easy. I have worked in several spaces that posed as accepting and open but were truly not behind the scenes. After being around people for enough time their true colors start to show and I noticed that in my past workplaces and just honestly was not comfortable bringing my clientele into that space. In those spaces as well I had to deal with being truly overworked and underpaid, dealt with serious mental health issues that were not taken seriously by my employer and ultimately made me come to my current space.
I am so happy about where I am today and the fact that my business is growing into what it is: a truly safe space for people to be authentically themselves and get the hair experience and outcome of their dreams.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So I am actually a huge homebody, but I am trying to get out more so here’s what I’ll say. We have to go to La Fonda, the Rooftop of the Clairmont, My Parents Basement, My Sisters Room, Church, Ponce City Market, to a show at The Eastern or The Masquerade, maybe even the Aquarium. But #1 on my list is that they have to endure a night of EDM with me at Believe Music Hall!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest supporters have 100% hands down been my parents. I had no idea what I wanted to pursue for so long. I wasted time in college and took some time off and nannied for a while but it was actually my parents who told me I should pursue hair. They have cheered me on the entire time, encouraged me, and supported me emotionally and financially. They are the best parents anyone could ask for and I truly would not be where I am without them.

Instagram: @bluestainedhands

Other: Tiktok- @bluestainedhands

Image Credits
First photo of me is by @jraffshoots on instagram All client photos are taken by me