7 Questions with Coach Chris Baran
Coach, confidante, camp counselor . . . Redken Education Artistic Director t Chris Baran is all of those things and more. He’s also a big “teddy bear” of an educator you’ll often see wearing his famous teddy bear tee-shirt and his road nickname “Papa Bear”!
This accomplished hairstylist, educator and philanthropist has a heart for giving back. In fact, his spirit of giving is rooted in the generous counsel of his father. Chris recently chatted with Beauty Changes Lives about how he’s donating a one-of-a-kind learning experience valued over $13,000 (note: we forgot to add into the cost that there are two Chris Camps -each one valued at $1500). Click here to read about the Global Peak Performance System (GPS) Mentorship Chris is giving away. We were so inspired by the conversation, we couldn’t resist sharing more of our chat with Chris. Read on to see how giving and education go hand in hand for Chris. And don’t forget to apply for a GPS mentorship by February 29, 2020!
How did you get involved with Beauty Changes Lives?
As a member of the Redken team, I’ve been a mentor at the Beauty Changes Lives Experience for the past three years. What an incredible opportunity for a hairstylist just getting started to have your work front and center on the runway at ABS!
What inspired you to become a mentor?
As a young man, my dad gave me some really great advice I try to live by – the rule of 20. The first 20 years in this career, you pay into your work – investing in your career. The next 20 years you reap the rewards of your work. And then over the next 20 years, you pay back – by giving to others. Thanks, Dad!
When did you get involved with the education side of the business?
I’ve been in the business more than 50 years, but education has been a passion for me since 1980. Mentors in my career – including an early mentor from the Rich Dad Poor Dad group – taught me that my reason in life wasn’t to be only a hairdresser, but to be a hairdresser who teaches others the art and science of the craft. Over the last 40 years, I’ve really tried to help others avoid some of the hard lessons I learned as a young hairdresser.
As an educator, what do you think makes a great student?
The same qualities that make a great student can help anyone – being authentic, vulnerable and open. In a world of “pissers and moaners” it’s refreshing when someone doesn’t make excuses but just opens up and brings all of themselves to an experience.
What inspired you to offer the Chris Camps?
YouTube is great, but there is no medium as powerful as the one-on-one environment where you’re asking questions and learning in real-time. A YouTube can’t answer questions – and we all learn differently, so a one-size fits all tutorial just doesn’t’ deliver that customized experience we provide at the Chris Camps. Coaching – provided through coaching calls and via the Chris Camps provides “right-now” learning to meet people where they are on their learning curve.
What is the purpose behind the GPS mentorship you are donating?
I believe in Beauty Changes Lives mission and know without a doubt that we can create a movement that changes how people think about beauty as a craft and a calling. I tell people the perception shift can’t be subtle – but must move from passive to massive! Beauty Changes Lives and I share a commitment that beauty careers should have the same respect and clout as any other professional career path.
Any tips you can provide to hairstylists who want to apply for a GPS Mentorship?
Talk about what you’d like to achieve as an educator -how you want to help others. Tell me how you want to help yourself so that you can help change other people’s lives! Show me you understand the responsibilities that accompany being an educator. And always remember to be authentic and vulnerable!
