We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kaylee TooCold. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kaylee below.
Hi Kaylee , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
When I was growing up, it was just me and my mom. She was 20 when she had me so as I look back, as I watching her grow up as I was growing up as well. My mother would work 2 and 3 jobs pretty much my entire childhood to make sure I had everything I needed and so many things I wanted. I watched her work long days, come home to help me with whatever I needed and to get me ready for the next day, only to go back to work overnight and then come home to get me ready for school. And do it all over again each day. All I ever wanted was to make my mom proud and be able to help her when she got older so she didn’t have to be that 70/80 year old woman checking people out at the cash register. My work ethic comes from a burning fire inside of me to be able to provide financial freedom for my future family, and for my mom. Who dedicated her life, and still does, to make sure I’m happy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Kaylee, some may know me as TooCold or TooColdcutz. I grew up in a smaller city, Springfield, south of St Louis, MO.
I can remember there being times when I was young and I would tell my great grandmother that I was going to be somebody some day. She would smile, and hug me and tell me she could see something in me. And it’s crazy because as I was growing up there were so many things I wanted to do, each and every one of them were completely different. Ranging from Music producing, to helping at risk youth, to wanting to be a shark biologist! I dual-enrolled myself in high school to go to college part time, I chose the electronic media program, believing I was going to move to Florida to go to FAMU for music production. I graduated early in December then my mom and I moved to Florida the next day. When it came down to choose what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing… I was stumped and I didn’t want to waste my time in college only to end up not even going down that career field. I knew if I went college I was gonna struggle, working, going to school, etc. I told my mom I was going to take a year off, work, and figure it out. I did just that. On my way home from work one day, the thought of being a barber literally popped in my head. I started researching and thinking more on it. My heart couldn’t have been more clear and at peace. At the end of that year, I enrolled in barber school! I dedicated 18 months, 5 hours a day, 4 days a week to driving 1 hour (one way) to school, and getting home at midnight, then to work 8-4pm and back to school. It was long, challenging, fun, but it was worth it. I knew it was what I wanted to do.
What I know now is that barbering has allowed me to do so much more than cutting hair. I have had the pleasure of traveling to different barber events in different states, I’ve educated so many people and been able to showcase my work all over. But, one of the best things barbering has done for me… I’ve been able to change peoples lives in my chair. To be able to create something that gives my clients confidence, self love, and so much more. It’s truly a gift and I’m forever grateful for that. And remember when I said 1 of the things I wanted to do prior was to help at risk youth? I’ve done so much of that by them sitting in my chair. Being active in these kids lives, creating that trust and bond and being able to give advice. Even with the adults that sit in my chair, it’s literally therapy for them. The best thing about barbering and what I do, is being able help change the world a little at a time with a pair of clippers. It’s a blessing.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I’d say the 3 most important qualities are staying consistent, willing to learn, and self-care. Being consistent I’ve learned is the key to everything. It goes hand in hand with everything in your life. If you want results, stay consistent with whatever it is you’re doing. Even the hard days, the days that you want to give up. Those are the most important.
You have to be willing to learn, educate yourself, and take constructive criticism. You cannot allow yourself to stay in one spot, you have to get out of your comfort zone and get yourself out there. Once you start feeling comfortable, enjoy that for a moment, smell the roses ALWAYS.. but then let’s keep pushing, you’re not at your goal yet. Don’t get too comfortable.
Lastly, this one was probably the hardest for me to learn. I’m on a mission you know? I havent reached my end goal. But, you won’t reach your end goal in the healthiest way if you aren’t taking care of yourself first! You cannot constantly pour out (whether it’s work, school, businesses, etc) without making sure you’re pouring back into yourself. Find balance.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Over the years I’ve had so many people help me, educate me, mentor me, and support me. But the one person that has always been through it all, the worst, and the best, is my mom. Without her love, support, and dedication to me, I would be nothing!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.TooColdCutz.com
- Instagram: @toocoldcutz
- Facebook: TooCold Cutz
