In January of 2016, I became an educator with the product line that I use in my salon. I learned so much from my peers and the classes they offered. I also learned a lot about how products work with different hair textures. I felt that this elevated me in my status as a cosmetologist. The knowledge I gained from working with this company was being used to educate other cosmetologists and consumers about how to use the products and different styling techniques.

It was during this time that trichology started coming up more and more. I had heard of trichology before, but never felt it was for me. I thought to myself, “There isn’t anything that I can do for anyone by being a trichologist because they need medication to fix their problems.” I would simply shut the whole conversation down whenever one of my hair sisters or brothers brought it up.

Speaking of shut downs — let’s fast forward to the pandemic shut down of 2020. There was so much good free education being offered during that time, by out-of-this-world, top-notch educators in the beauty industry – my head was spinning! The exposure during that time was amazing!! I participated in as many classes as I could. It was during this time that I was introduced to my future trichology professor. I didn’t know it then – and still wasn’t a believer – that I needed trichology to operate as a cosmetologist, but I was drawn to the information that she was sharing and teaching. I wanted to learn more but I wasn’t really feeling the investment price. Despite everything that she shared (which was truly only a small drop in the bucket, lol), I still wasn’t sold on becoming a certified trichologist.

In June of 2020, my salon opened back up – after being closed for almost three months. I hadn’t seen my clients for 3 whole months! During that shut down period, I sold them hair products to maintain their hair as best as they could while they were at home. Upon returning, some clients’ hair grew out healthy and beautiful, and others lost lots of hair and experienced breakage. I didn’t know what to do for the clients that lost their hair, other than to tell them to go to the dermatologist.

I felt horrible that I couldn’t offer anything beyond conditioning treatments. I couldn’t give them a proper explanation of why their hair came out, or whether it would come back or not. I felt inadequate as a cosmetologist. It was at that moment that I realized I needed to be in that trichology program. I needed to be in that program to educate myself and my clients, but I had some serious life challenges going on and couldn’t be sure if the timing was right. I also wasn’t sure if I could commit financially based on my changing circumstances, and we were still in the middle of a pandemic.

I had to make a decision. I prayed and had a discovery call with the professor of the trichology program. I was so nervous but I had all the confirmation I needed that this was what I needed to do right now.

I’ve now been in the program for a little over a year (woohoo!). The information that I have learned and the connections that I have made are invaluable, more than I could ever have imagined or asked for. I’m thankful that God has aligned me with this program. The healing component of trichology and taking care of your body, mind and spirit, fits right in with the mission of The Kelly Rochelle Experience.