For this Regency grad, one creative career path replaced another – and now, he’s got the freedom to practice them both! Hairstylist, salon owner, performer, YouTube sensation…let’s get to know John Woll.

Tell us about your career path and what you’re doing now.
John: Ever since a very young age, I was interested in many forms of art. I went to Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts and studied Theater, Vocal Music, Music Theater and Dance. In college, I majored in Musical Theater and minored in Dance. After college, I moved to Los Angeles and worked for Disneyland and Universal Studios. After 4 years in L.A., I returned to Ohio.

Meanwhile my older sister, who has been a stylist for several years, was thinking about opening her own salon back home. The shop where she worked had closed, and our family started working together on the new shop. Originally I was going to be the behind-the-scenes business man. Once I saw how amazing and empowering it is to have the ability to make someone over, I knew I had to be a stylist. I joined my sister as co-owner and stylist at Sun Cutz Studio in Loveland, Ohio.

Regency: Are you specializing in any one aspect of cosmetology, or do you have a favorite service you like to perform?
John: My favorite thing to do is always a makeover. I also enjoy being able to help with something simple, like giving a client a great haircut that they love so they can style their own hair on a daily basis. Regency: What have been some of your most fun or interesting projects?
John: We’ve done several exciting things at our salon! We’ve had Girl Scout parties and updo classes, donated hair for the oil spill, did beard and neck trims for the Wahl Company’s “Let it Grow” tour at the Taste of Cincinnati, and helped organize several events at the shopping center where our shop is located. We are currently looking forward to a prom photo shoot and working with a local theater to do hair backstage for their production of Hairspray!

Regency: Now that you have some experience in the industry, is it everything you wanted it to be?
John: Absolutely! I love learning and I never plan on stopping. I love attending hair shows and learning from our distributors. Being a professional stylist is fun and rewarding! Our salon’s slogan is “Enter a Stranger – Leave a Friend”. It’s true, most of our clients become our friends and we look forward to their visits.

Regency: Do you stay busy when you’re not behind the chair?
John: Absolutely, I do! I’m still performing, so I just started rehearsals for a new show called “Altarboyz” which is about a boy band. I just did 3 boy band makeovers for a photo shoot before our first rehearsal. I’ve also been in several productions with the Loveland Stage Company.

Our shop is working on getting the Wig Mistress from the University of Cincinnati – CCM (College Conservatory of Music) to come and teach us more about working with wigs, since we are going to do hair for the actors at the Hairspray performance.

We recently had an event at a new bar in our center. We invited all of our clients and got some raffle prizes donated. The bar made a signature drink for us (the Sun Cutz Tini) and someone volunteered to come and host karaoke. It was a wonderful success and we met several community members that we hope to convert to clients!

I have a client who loves makeup. She decided to enroll in an esthetics program, and I am teaming up with her for prom season! We’re going to be attending several of the local Prom Fairs and plan to offer prom makeovers. We’re planning a photo shoot with the stylists at our salon to use in our marketing and advertising pieces.

So, yeah….I manage to stay pretty busy! Networking and being involved in the community where you work is so important – for your business and for your happiness. Regency: What are your future plans?
John: Currently, we are working on a salon re-design and hoping to add several new services in the coming year including make-up and massage. Beyond that, I would LOVE to become a platform artist at hair shows at some point and share some of the amazing education that I have received along with my passion for the hair industry!

Regency: What advice would you give students who are coming (or thinking about coming) to Regency?
John: Do it! There is always a need for good hairstylists. If you are artistic and love people, then this would be a great career path for you. I love what I do!

Date Created: February 7, 2011 

Regency Beauty has not made and will not make any guarantees of employment or salary upon graduation.