Closing this Chapter, Grateful For Every Page

I’ve started this newsletter/blog several times over the past few days.

Each time, I’ve written a few words, deleted, closed the laptop, and walked away.

So…. here it goes… stepping off into the abyss with this.

After 38 years (Yes, 38 YEARS!), standing behind the chair, I’ve made the decision to retire.

Even typing that sentence does not seem possible.

I started beauty school at the very young age of 16, 15 1/2 actually, if I am being exact.

At that time, I had a dream of going to LA and doing hair for all the soap opera stars who were so popular and glamorous.

I stumbled upon The Gene Juarez Advance Training Salon in Seattle and my career not only pivoted but I was on my way to a career at the age of 17. The year was 1990!

When people ask what I love most about being a stylist, the answer is never been about doing hair.

It’s been you! And all the countless clients before you.

The conversations.

The laughter.

The tears… happy and sad.

The milestones, so many milestones…

Ive watched babies grow into adults, then have babies of their own.

Ive celebrated and cheered for engagements, weddings, babies, and retirements (even my own!)

Ive cried with you through illness, divorce, loss, heartbreak, and every day uncertainty (even my own!)

Somewhere along the way, appointments stopped feeling like appointments.

They became visits with friends… and I got paid!

Many of you have been sitting in my chair for twenty, even thirty years. Many of you are multi-generational clients… (don’t worry, each story told I treat like Vegas… What happens in Dawn Marie Atelier stays!

People often say hairstylists are part therapist, part artist, part close friend. I think that’s all true. But what I’ve treasured most has been the privilege of being so trusted not only with your hair but also with your lives.

Many of you have watched me grow up.

Many of you knew me before I was married … the first time!

Many of you walked beside me not through one divorce but two.

Many of you cried ugly alligator tears with me through the loss of my daughter… then my son

Many of you listened as I navigated the complexities of raising a son on my own.

My financial hardship, rebuilding my business and finding joy again!

Celebrating at FINALLY finding the perfect person, my sweet mountain man… the person I call “home”

You ALL have encouraged me through every high and every single low.

You haven’t been simply clients, but part of my story.

I love creating beautiful hair, the transformation, the smiles, the laughter, the spring in one’s step after an appointment.

But life has a way of gently (sometimes loudly) telling when it’s time for a new season.

Like many small business owners, Ive felt the rising costs of running a business. My Tacoma rentals, which I hoped would help provide stability as I approached an older age has become increasingly difficult financially. More importantly, after years of asking so much of my body, I know it’s time to listen to it.

I’ve come to the realization that there are other dreams that are calling my name: time with my gorgeous husband, travel, going back to school, volunteering, church, community, MORE travel and having the freedom to say “yes” to whatever comes next.

Walking towards another “chapter” doesn’t make this any easier.

If you’ve ever sat in my chair, whether it was just once or for almost four decades: THANK YOU

You have given me far more than I could ever give you…

Although Ill be stepping away from regular salon appointments, I’m not entirely disappearing. I’ll continue creating on-site bridal and special occasion hair.

From the bottom of this grateful, blessed, incredibly gigantic heart, thank you for giving me a career that grew bigger and a lot longer than I ever dreamed it would back 38 years ago (just a blink of an eye).

I will carry each story with me in my heart ( and may even get written down in a book someday … names changed, of course)

Endless gratitude,

Dawn

Xx