"Doing hair" can be just the beginning. For licensed beauty professionals, there are so many ways to go. While some will choose to practice all the different disciplines, others find themselves pulled in a specific direction.

These artists chose to specialize, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

Stacey Ciceron (@staceyciceron)

Long Island, NY

Specializing in Curls & Natural Texture

Why did you choose your specialty?

I didn’t initially set out to specialize in natural texture; it chose me. I’ve always been drawn to textured hair because I understand it personally. 

As a woman who has navigated relaxers, big chops, pixie cuts, and curls in every stage, I deeply understand the emotional relationship women have with their hair.

When I owned my salon in 2013, more clients were coming in curious about returning to their natural texture, how to care for it, how to style it, and how to navigate the transition. The natural hair movement was becoming mainstream, but there was still very little professional education available. I didn’t want my clients relying on guesswork or generic advice. I wanted them to have a trusted expert.

That same year, I shaved my own head and re-entered my natural hair journey. With every phase of growth and every challenge, I learned in real time and brought that knowledge back to my chair and into local workshops. What began as meeting my clients’ needs evolved into a personal mission: elevating textured hair education and advancing how our industry understands and respects curls and coils.

At what point in your career did you make that decision?

In many ways, the decision chose me. Less than a year after publicly sharing my own natural hair journey, brands began reaching out for education and collaboration. That confirmed there was both a need and a demand.

Because I operate from a spirit of excellence, I didn’t take that lightly. I went deeper, immersing myself in research, product knowledge, advanced technique, and real-world application behind the chair. I wanted to ensure what I was teaching was technically sound, not just inspirational.

Within a few years, I became known as a trusted expert in textured hair, even being referred to as a “natural hair guru” in Vogue. What set me apart wasn’t just skill, but my ability to make complex concepts around texture simple, digestible, and empowering.

Did you lose clients when you specialized?

Not in the way people might expect.

The timing of the natural hair movement felt incredibly aligned. Many of my existing clients were already curious about transitioning, so instead of losing them, the majority transitioned with me. Because there were very few salons in our area delivering high-level textured hair services, we actually gained new clients through that clarity.

In 2016, I stepped away from the chair to pursue education and freelance work full-time before streaming and digital education were what they are today. That decision wasn’t about narrowing my audience; it was about expanding my reach.

I’ve since returned to the chair, and today the majority of my clientele are natural. 

Specializing didn’t shrink my business; it refined and evolved it.

How has it impacted your income?

Specializing elevated far more than my pricing; it elevated my positioning. When you’re known for something specific, you’re chosen for expertise rather than competing on price.

It opened doors to brand partnerships, national education opportunities, media recognition, and a more discerning, loyal clientele. It also allowed me to step into freelancing and education full-time for a season.

As my expertise became clearer, opportunities naturally expanded beyond traditional appointments.

How do you market your specialty?

Through education first.

I don’t just show results; I explain the “why.” I share technique, product knowledge, and real transformation stories so both clients and professionals understand the process, not just the outcome.

Early on, and even now, I was excited to share what I was learning. As live streaming became more accessible, I leaned in. I created tutorials, documented before-and-afters, and consistently shared insights online. That transparency built trust.

Word of mouth has also been central to my growth. When clients feel seen and properly cared for, they talk. I prioritize nurturing relationships — with clients and brands — because trust is the foundation of sustainable growth.

What’s one mistake you made when building your specialty?

Waiting too long to fully own it.

For years, I diluted my messaging because I didn’t want to be pigeonholed or exclude anyone. But clarity attracts. Once I clearly positioned myself as a textured hair expert, my growth accelerated.

Has specializing improved your overall career satisfaction?

Absolutely.

I’m no longer just doing hair; I’m transforming how women perceive their natural beauty. I get to empower women who may have felt overlooked in traditional salon spaces. That level of impact is deeply fulfilling.

How much additional training did you invest in?

Education has always been paramount for me. Advanced cutting, texture-specific product knowledge, brand trainings, ongoing research, and real-world experience behind the chair have all been essential.

Mastery of textured hair isn’t achieved in a single weekend course. It requires both financial investment and dedicated time. While there are many free resources available, true expertise demands consistent study and application.

Do you ever say no to services outside your niche? How do you handle that?

Yes, now I do, with clarity and respect. Early in my career, I didn’t, and that’s something I wish I had implemented sooner.

I let clients know I’ve built my practice around textured haircare, cutting, and styling. Specializing allows me to deliver exceptional results that clients truly value. Protecting your niche protects your brand integrity.

What advice would you give someone considering specializing?

Choose something that genuinely excites you — not just something that trends. Specializing requires depth, study, repetition, and refinement.

Niching down doesn’t shrink your career. It sharpens it.