On Hair as Art w/ April Kayganich

April Kayganich is an LA based colorist and hairstylist for all humans and textures known to the beauty press and her clients all over the country as "The Curl Whisperer." April's perspective of a head of hair being art in is an approach that curates a safe space for clients to meet or revive their natural texture. It's an intimate relationship that themes this episode with a deep level of care, which shares why hair is so intimate, often political and always authentic.   Episode Context: At the time of the recording, April was in New York for a week of client appointments out of Hair Story's studio - a client base she built across Los Angeles, New York, San Fransisco and Austin, Texas since she opened her own single chair practice.   April takes Kate through the practical architecture behind what serendipitously equipped her to start her own business: dropping out of art school with a focus on graphic design, working her way up to restaurant management as a teenager only to save enough for cosmetology school, and eventually using Instagram to build a multi city clientele so her career could move with the life she wants to live. Kate's hunch is that the same "clay and canvas" instinct April brings to a haircut is the same perspective allowing the belief that "everyone is walking art."   April and Kate go into the double standard of whose curls get called "professional," and April's own family history of relaxers and hot combs. A conversation that equally illuminates the evidence of listening to yourself, behind April's hard won realization that "your success doesn't have to look like how you thought it did."   This episode is an opportunity to reflect on what your own version of not only defining success but what yours actually requires, versus what you were told it should look like. It is a warm three-dimensional example of authenticity painted by the setting of art behind the chair, in the chair, in the mirror, and in the everyday decision to let what you make, wear, or grow out of your own head just be yours.   Show Notes: April Kayganich Instagram (  / _thehalfrican  ) @_thehalfrican April Kayganich Website (https://www.thecurlwhisperer.co/about) Kate McLeod (http://katesmcleod.com/) Website Authenticated All Access (https://linktr.ee/authenticated.pod)