Where Are They Now?
Wade Beesley,
“I’d love to cut you.” Wade Beesley, a 2018 awardee of a Beauty Changes Lives CosmoProf Licensed to Create scholarship knows the power of a provocative business card. As an artist, humanitarian and entrepreneur, Wade recognizes the healing and therapeutic benefits beauty delivers during an unprecedented time. Below, he chats about pivoting during the pandemic.
How has the pandemic affected your clients?
COVID-19 has really heightened clients’ awareness of hygiene and the importance of the sanitation measures I learned in school. These procedures help clients feel safe.
How has your career evolved since speaking at the Beauty Changes Lives Experience during America’s Beauty Show?
Returning to Austin after the event in Chicago, I applied to barber school to get a crossover license. There was a waiting list till November, so I worked at Sport Clips and waited for school to start. I graduated barbering school in late February, then went to Morocco for 14 days, planning to take my barber tests and get a job upon return. When I got back, the hoopla hit, and everything – salons, barber shops and the barbering testing sites shut down. I found myself with no job and no barber license. Since then, testing sites have re-opened and I just passed my written test on Wednesday. I will take my practical exam next week.
How did you discover new ways to give back when salons were closed during the pandemic?
I stayed home and quarantined mostly, but I did volunteer bottling hand sanitizer for the city. The sanitizer was donated by several distilleries in town.
What did you do to keep your new barbering skills fresh while waiting to take the board?
I’ve given a few free shaves.
As an artist (sculptor, craftsman and hairstylist/barber), how has this moment in time inspired your art?
Sorry, but this moment hasn’t affected my art. The pandemic really doesn’t get into my mind much, just staying conscious, safe and healthy.
How have you maintained your passion for helping the homeless community?
Actually, prior to the lockdown, my cosmetology cutting teacher and I were cutting hair at a homeless community once a month. I’ve stayed involved with Loaves & Fishes, a non-profit that gives back and nurtures men and women experiencing homelessness.
What has encouraged or inspired you as a beauty professional since the pandemic?
Coronaville has opened my eyes to how important haircuts are to people. It almost feels like it’s an essential business in people’s minds. When everything is in turmoil, my guests can talk about life and get pampered a bit. For a moment, I can relieve some of the stress of these times and my guests feel beautiful and more positive about life.
What advice would you offer someone just beginning their career journey at this moment in time?
If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not growing; so keep learning and pushing yourself. During these times you must be flexible, innovative, and always able to adapt to new situations.
How is beauty continuing to change your life – or your clients’ lives?
I am truly happy to have a skill that is beneficial to people. If I weren’t cutting hair right now, I’m not sure how I would survive.
What goals have you set for the future?
My long term goal is to build up a clientele as I earn a barbering license to complement the cosmo license. COVID has presented a bit of a silver lining for me, as I cut hair in a safe environment and am slowly building a clientele. Short term, and like so many people, I’m taking it day by day.
