Trusting the Process: Stacie Atwell’s Hairdressing Journey

Level 2 Salon Skills and Level 3 Hairdressing

Stacie Atwell’s path into hairdressing wasn’t always clear, but trusting the process led her to a career she truly loves. A Cut Above graduate who completed Level 2 Salon Skills and Level 3 Hairdressing, Stacie is now an emerging stylist at Kith & Co in Newmarket.

During high school, Stacie knew university wasn’t the right fit for her, but she was still unsure where her future lay. “I had an interest in hairdressing, but not knowing much about the industry made me question whether it was right for me.”

Everything changed after attending a Cut Above open day through her school’s Gateway programme. “From that moment, I knew hairdressing was the career I could truly picture myself doing.” Soon after, she made the leap, enrolling at Cut Above Academy. “Four years on, I have zero regrets,” she says.

Stacie says what continues to motivate her is the impact she can have on others, even in small ways.

One of her most meaningful experiences at Cut Above was seeing her confidence grow. “As a naturally shy person, I often doubted whether I was right for the industry,” she explains. With consistent tutor support and hands-on learning, her mindset shifted. “That shift from feeling nervous to feeling capable really stands out to me.”

Now working in a busy salon environment, Stacie values the connection she builds with her clients. “No two clients are ever the same, which keeps the job interesting,” she says. “Learning where people are from and listening to their stories often makes it feel like you’re just chatting with a friend.”

Balancing salon life with personal wellbeing is something Stacie prioritises. “I think it’s important to look after both your mental and physical health in this industry - if you can’t show up for yourself, it becomes much harder to show up fully for your clients.”

For anyone dreaming of a career in hairdressing, her advice is simple and reassuring: “You’re not supposed to have everything figured out straight away - growth takes time.” Looking ahead, Stacie is focused on a bright future. “I want to keep growing, feel confident in my work, and build a hairdressing career that I genuinely enjoy and feel proud of.”