Hi friends -
First of all, a huge apology for being gone so long. After taking an adjunct professor role this fall, my schedule has been a little hectic and I haven’t been able to work on the podcast as much as I would like. I’m hoping I can get back to consistently releasing episodes, and here’s the first one. I think you’ll love it.
Thanks for sticking around! 💜 - M
Sh*t Curly Hair Is My Canvas
If you’ve been following this podcast, you know that 2023 was a big year for me—I turned 40, I quit my job, and I did the most frightening thing of all: I got bangs. 😱
I love my hair. I can say that now, but when I was young, I struggled with it—it didn’t fit the beauty ideals of straight, sleek locks I would see on every magazine and on TV. I tried to hide it, control it, constantly pulling it back into a bun. But over time, as I gained confidence and embraced who I was, my hair became an expression of my personality—bold, unapologetic, and deeply tied to how I feel. Now, it’s one of my signature traits, and my guest today is one of the few people I trust to do anything with it, even though she doesn’t have curls herself.
In this episode, I sit down with Nicolle Lemonds, an incredibly talented hair colorist known for her expertise in working with curls. After walking into a curly hair salon almost 14 years ago, Nicolle knew she’d found her calling and never looked back. For Nicolle, her work isn’t about having the same experience as her clients; it’s about understanding the power of individuality and helping others bring out their uniqueness.
Nicolle shares how she turned her passion for color and creativity into a thriving career that goes beyond styling—she’s passionate about changing societal beauty standards one curl at a time. We discuss her journey from working in malls in the south to becoming a sought-after colorist in NYC, overcoming client skepticism, building a successful brand on Instagram, and eventually launching her own business after more than a decade in a single salon.
This episode is more than just a discussion about hair and career journey — it’s about identity, community and the freedom that comes with self-acceptance.
Follow Nicolle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NicolleLovesCurls/
Key lessons learned:
How embracing what makes you unique can build confidence and authenticity in both personal and professional life.
The power of empathy in building connections, even when your experiences differ from others.
Why creativity, whether through your appearance or career, is a powerful form of self-expression.
Practical advice on navigating change and uncertainty when taking bold steps or reinventing yourself.
Episode Notes
[00:00] - Introduction and Life Updates
[05:21] - Nicolle's Career Journey
[09:53] - The Importance of Education and Support
[17:05] - Moving to New York and Career Growth
[23:47] - Challenges and Triumphs in the Salon
[29:16] - Embracing Inclusivity in the Curly Hair Movement
[33:50] - Empathy and Emotional Labor in Hairdressing
[40:31] - Building a Personal Brand
[43:34] - Transition to Entrepreneurship
[46:01] - Challenges During COVID-19
[52:01] - Deciding to Go Solo
[56:46] - The Power of Social Media
[01:01:49] - Future Aspirations
[01:05:49] - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Sh*t Curly Hair Is My Canvas