Meet Clarissa Lawton

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

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think what sets me apart from some others but not all others is how passionate I am about the connections I make through my work. To me it’s not just about the haircut or color or style. It’s about meeting someone for the first time and having a true connection with them. Getting to know who they are, how old their kids are, where they’re from, how their finance proposed and being excited about their life with them and looking forward to our next visit or just being able to see where a brides life leads after their wedding day whether they continue to see me at the salon for color appointments or even if it’s just through social media. I believe every client or bride that has come to me has purpose whether they continue to come to me long term or not and I really cherish meeting them regardless.

Challenges are inevitable when navigating through anything new and trying to run a small business in an industry that’s over saturated is new to me and definitely has its challenges but it’s a learning process like anything new so I just pray a lot and lean on all my biggest supporters to keep me motivated.

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.
Well I live in Woodland Park and I absolutely love it here so we’d probably have breakfast at Hungry Bear then visit Garden of the Gods and hopefully see some big horn sheep there. My boyfriend and I love to fish so if they’re up for it we’d go wherever the fishing might be best that day closest to home so their options would be either Eleven Mile or Deckers both are beautiful. Eventually we’d make our way downtown for dinner at Coatis because they have options to eat for everyone and because my best friend and I love to line dance we’d end up at Cowboys or Whiskey Baron.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shout out Melissa Lopez @bridalbabesbymelissa. I sought out a mentor while I was in cosmetology school because I knew bridal hair was something I wanted to purse so when I found Melissa on Instagram and finally met her in person, she was someone that made me realize everyone I have the pleasure of meeting in this life is for a reason. She guided me through so much I’ll never be able to thank her enough for. I learned so much from her in the time I was lucky enough to assist her. Even to this day she’s so willing to help me if I reach out to her and have any questions. She’s not one to gate keep anything about styling hair or the business of it all. I’m extremely grateful to have her as a mentor/friend. I’d also love to shoutout a best friend of mine who is also a hairstylist, Beth Martin. She has always encouraged me to keep going and has also helped me navigate the business side of things by putting me in contact with the right people and giving me advice that she had learned along the way through her small business venture. Beth is someone I look up to in business and in personal life.

Instagram: @clarissarenehair