Webmaster: Why did you want to be hairdresser?

Cheryl: I stumbled upon hairdressing at a young age, and grew to be very passionate about it. The first haircut I did, I traced whiteout onto the hair and followed the line with kitchen scissors. Afterwards, I thought there must be a method to this madness and so, after being a shampoo girl in New Jersey at 14, I decided I wanted to learn to be the best from the best. So I came to NYC.

What made you join ARROJO?

I worked uptown for Toni & Guy for a number of years, but the salon closed and became a school. While I was at home pondering what to do I saw Nick Arrojo on TV on “What Not to Wear”. I thought he knows what he’s doing and I want his job! I didn’t get his job, but I settled on learning my craft under him and his staff. When I first came here, I immediately loved the energy, the people and the space. It proved a great fit for us both.

After 5 years here you’re now the highest-ranking stylist who has come through our ranks as an apprentice. From your perspective, tell us how the company has changed in those five years?

When I first started there were only twelve chairs, so it’s changed a lot. It’s cool to have watched it grow into what it is today––now we have a school and even a café! It’s nice to belong where you know you’ll always be growing. Some of the people come and go, but the vibe, and what ARROJO is about, has always stayed the same.

What do you think helped make you the successful stylist you’ve become?

Perseverance. Always staying relevant. And having a great team around me.

Is the education you get here important?

Good education is important, no matter where it is from. But I am grateful and fortunate to be part of a team that has such a strong commitment to education. There’s no doubt that it’s been a major factor in the stylist, and person, I am today.

Tell us about the process of building a client base over several years. Do your clients change over time or do they stay with you as you grow?

Building a client base is all about doing the right things with each client. And not just the first time they come to you, every time. Talking to the client about their opportunities and challenges, being pleasant and polite, executing a great style, and having fun while doing it, all makes a huge difference. If you do these things, the client will come back, and bring their friends. Of course you have to accept that your client book will change over time, and some do come and go, but if I do the right things each day, my client list will stay strong.

How do you feel about being promoted to a top stylist? What do you think led to the promotion?

I feel terrific; it’s the culmination of a lot of hard work. I’ve been here five years now, and I’ve always worked diligently to perfect my skills and get better and better at what I do. I think it’s a reflection of the commitment that I have.

You’re also involved in training the new apprentices, how do you feel teaching others, knowing that was you just a few years ago? What added insights can someone like you give to them?

Teaching others makes you a better hairdresser. You can’t preach something you’re not doing yourself. But being an apprentice and going through the training program here is not easy. There’s a lot to learn and a lot to do, and the expectation is high. Having gone through it myself, I can relate to where the apprentices are coming from and what they’re going through. I also know that they’ll be all the stronger for their education, and that’s something I try to reinforce with them all the time.

You also teach at the advanced seminars, and at national hair and beauty shows. What do you enjoy most about advanced education?

It gives me a great opportunity to diversify my career. I love the chance to get out from behind the chair and share the things that I know with hairdressers from all over. I admit I love having a microphone, but only because it’s amazing to me that my peers actually want to hear what I have to say. It shows how far I have come in my profession.

What kinds of looks do you like to create for your clients?

What makes me happy is creating a haircut that fits perfectly with the individual, with their style and personality. I like to stay current, but whether the look I go for is trendy or traditional, the most important thing is that it’s what the client wants. The best feeling is when a client comes back and tells you that they’ve been stopped on the street and told how great their hair is. Luckily, that happens to me quite a lot!

Finally, what are the hottest hairstyles of 2009?

Right now the most fashion-forward styles have lots and lots of looseness and texture; it’s bohemian and carefree. But I think by the end of the year the hottest looks will have more shape and structure to them, yet still retain that natural texture feeling that everyone is in love with at the moment.