Since its humble beginnings in 1989, NAHA finalists and industry elite have brought this iconic photographic beauty competition to new heights year after year. NAHA continues to recognize the beauty industry’s most talented artists and advance the careers of stylists around the world. Nothing makes us happier than meeting artists we REALLY want to root for… Good people who love the industry, value education and aren’t afraid to put in the hard work.

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What one word describes how you felt when you found out you were a finalist?

I was in complete shock! I really was expecting to get nominated in Texture or Avant Garde. But I’m super grateful for the Hairstylist of the Year nomination! After the shock wore off, I was so happy on cloud 9!

What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter competitions?

Plan, do research, pull pictures in magazines, pinterest, internet, etc. Not just of hair, pull makeup, clothing (styling), photography lighting, everything relating to the shoot. The reason why is to give your team a well rounded idea of whats in your head. They can also give you more ideas based off your initial idea and take your idea to a whole new level.

I would also hire the right people, do your research… (cause your only as good as your least trained person on set. If your models can’t pose, it’s going to cause epic stress on the photographer to bring out the right emotion for your looks).

Also, practice, practice, PRACTICE YOUR LOOKS! (before your shoot day, not on the shoot day)

Beyond hair, what other creative outlets do you have?

Photography, I shoot all my collections, I’ve been shooting all my stuff since 2011! I good friend of mine mentioned how I would excel at it so I bought some stuff and started. It took my a few years to really understand it, it did not come easy for me.

I also DJ, I’ve been dj’ing for the past 18 years. I truly enjoy the whole process from blending the songs to creating new transitions, beats. It is such a natural high to DJ. I have also dabbled in electronic music production. Now that is a whole new beast to learn, but I love learning new things on the daily. I guess that is my creative sense. Hair, photography, post production (editing), dj’ing & music production all fall into creating! It is all love!

Tell us your life story in 3 sentences.

Born in Victorville Cali, raised & reside in Salt Lake City

Been in the hair industry 24 years. Co Owned Lunatic Fringe Sugarhouse 15 years

Never thought I wanted to start a family until I met Kelsey Thompson (Saylor)

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

I’m truly doing everything I wan to be doing. I create things on multiple mediums. I get to share all these things with my beautiful wife, so I’m happy with everything in my life. As long as I’m creating I am happy!

What’s your biggest fear in life or your career?

Loosing all close to me, especially my family & wife, then the topping on the cake would be not being able to create on the daily. I would seriously die on the inside. A slow death of my soul!

Real life advice to someone entering the world of cosmetology

It is work! If you want success? It takes work on the daily! You have to be married to your career for al least the first five years, then you can start to balance out your life. But when you first enter you need to eat, work & sleep hairdressing.

I knew I was a Hair Nerd when…

I found myself daydreaming about hairdressing when I wasn’t close to a salon or my scissors or anything creative to build with. It was at that moment that I knew I was doing the right thing. Hair is my medium and I thank my mom everyday for persuading me to get into this amazing career!