After 15 years behind the chair, I found myself facing something I never expected—burnout.

I was exhausted, uninspired, and seriously considering leaving the beauty industry altogether to go back to nursing school. The career I had once loved deeply had started to feel like a grind. I missed the sense of purpose I used to have. I wasn’t dreaming anymore—I was just getting through the days.

Then one day, an unexpected email changed everything.

It was from a former coworker, inviting me on an 18-day trip to Cambodia with a program called Freedom Stylist. Their mission was to teach haircutting and coloring skills to women in human trafficking prevention and rescue programs. These women weren’t just learning to style hair—they were reclaiming their confidence, dignity, and independence.

I wasn’t working with associates at the time. I’d never taught a class. I didn’t even have a passport yet. But something about the invitation pulled at my spirit. I felt so strongly drawn to it that I said yes, even though I had no idea what I was getting into.

That decision cracked something wide open.

The experience in Cambodia was nothing short of transformative. Watching women—many of whom had come from trauma or unthinkable situations—find joy and empowerment in learning a skill was life-altering. It was about so much more than just hair. It was about healing. It was about purpose. And in many ways, it was exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

When I got home, I couldn’t go back to “business as usual.”

Soon after, I had dinner with a friend who was living in Guatemala. She invited me and my mom to take trip to Guatemala and use her facilities to host a haircutting class. I never imagined I would lead a mission trip, but something about that place—and the timing—felt divine. I found myself leading a very humble haircutting class for six students, with two educators (me and my mom) and one translator. We had limited tools, very little structure, and zero expectations. But the hunger to learn was overwhelming. That tiny class lit a spark in me again.

Since then, what started as a single, amateur-style class has evolved into a global program, Global Stylist Scholarship. I’ve had the honor of training and equipping over 100 Guatemalan hairstylists, 22 Filipino hairdressers, and leading more than 50 U.S.-based stylists through life-changing trips to teach, mentor, and serve.

Our mission is simple: equip aspiring hairstylists in developing countries with the tools, training, and resources to create financial stability through a career in beauty—and in the process, re-inspire the U.S.-based stylists who come along for the journey.

So, what do you need to join something like this? Not as much as you might think.

First, you need an open heart and an open mind. You’ll be teaching in unique environments—sometimes with language barriers, limited electricity, outdated tools, or no air conditioning. It’s not always comfortable. But for those with a spirit of adventure, it’s incredibly rewarding.

Second, you need to be able to zone coach. You don’t have to lead the class—we always have a trained lead educator to facilitate. What we need are hairstylists who can work closely with two to three students at a time, providing hands-on guidance and encouragement. If you can cut hair, you can do this.

Third, you need a sense of adventure and curiosity. We always take one day on each trip to explore the culture—whether that means hiking to a remote village, visiting a market, or delivering food to families living in extreme poverty. These experiences stay with you. They remind you how resilient people can be, how joy isn’t tied to material things, and how much we all have to learn from each other.

Finally, you need a heart for the industry. This is about more than haircutting. It’s about giving someone the tools to change their future. For many of our students, learning to cut and color hair means the difference between generational poverty and long-term sustainability. It works. It truly does.

And if international travel isn’t in the cards for you right now, there are still so many ways to serve with your hands and heart right where you are.

At my salon, we’ve started doing monthly serve days at the Ronald McDonald House, offering free haircuts to parents (and sometimes kiddos) staying there while receiving medical care. It’s a small way to bring comfort and confidence during incredibly stressful times.

There are so many local opportunities—shelters, transitional housing programs, domestic violence centers, or nonprofits in your own backyard. I encourage you to ask your clients, post in a neighborhood group, or send a few emails. You’ll be surprised at what opens up when you simply offer.

Because here’s what I know:

If you’re feeling burned out, stressed, uninspired, or disconnected from the industry you once loved… this kind of work can change that.

It did for me. And, it has for so many others. 

Beauty has always been about more than what happens in the mirror. It’s about connection, dignity, healing, and hope. And when we use our skills to lift others up, we rediscover our own purpose in the process.

This industry isn’t just about hair. It’s about heart.

And there’s a whole world waiting for what you have to give! 

If you’re interested in joining the global initiative to change lives through haircutting, visit globalstylistscholarship.com for more information about Global Stylist Scholarship. Our next trip is to Guatemala in February 2026, and we are currently looking for educators to join us. There is an application on our website. We also have a Facebook and Instagram page with photos and information. We typically travel to Guatemala once or twice a year, and we’ve expanded to the Philippines, with more countries on the horizon. If your heart is pulling you toward something bigger, we’d love for you to be a part of it!