Our panel of judges has identified and notified the 30 winners of MODERN’s September Healthy Hairdresser Challenge, “What Do You Stand For?” In selecting only 30 responses among the hundreds we received, we were impressed with the range, depth, thoughtfulness and energy of all the messages. This challenge truly tapped into the “spirit” component of our Healthy Hairdresser body-spirit-business mission. The sponsor of this challenge, Stand + Deliver, is sending our winners a pair of Stand + Deliver fashion compression hosiery, a $30+ value, to support their health as they stand in the salon and do hair. 

“This product directly helps beauty professionals,” says Stand + Deliver founder Troy Maier. “You have to take care of yourself to be able to take care of your clients. You’re relying on the blood flow to reach down to the legs and feet and recirculate back to the heart.”

In sharing the 30 winning entries here (some are edited) to represent all of the passionate responses we received, we hope to give them a wider voice and inspire all healthy hairdressers to “stand up” for what you believe in.

Julie C., Jefferson, LA—I stand for individual beauty. Each person possesses his or her own unique beauty, which I have the opportunity to help bring out.

Gloria P., Fairhaven, MA—I stand for professionalism. We are dedicated to providing our guests exemplary customer service.

Gina O., Norwalk, CA—I stand for stylists educating other stylists of all ages, so the beauty industry can continue to grow and be a positive light in the world. We all have something beautiful to share. 

Christmas K., McHenry, IL—I stand for compassion, joy, kindness, respect and integrity. In a world of advanced technology and screen time, my passion is to help people connect on a face-to-face level. Communication, hugs and getting to know and value what others have to share are some of the reasons I feel that being in the industry IS my purpose.

Mary P., Gainesville, FL—I stand for fabulous fashion and fun! Because the world of beauty is always changing and challengingly wonderful.

Coree C., Monroe, NC—I stand for self-love. I’ve learned you have to love yourself to love others. As a victim of childhood bullying, I was picked on because I was always taller and heavier than other kids in my classes. I was called names from kindergarten through high school. For many of those years, my mother and I would go every eight weeks to have our hair cut, colored and styled. I absolutely cherished those days in the salon. I felt so beautiful after every appointment and always had such confidence as I walked the school halls the following days. I learned to love myself through my hair, so this is is what I stand for. I want everyone to have that feeling of self love and not give in to the negativity of the world. Confidence can be the next best thing to magic. 

Sonia V., Apex, NC—I stand for completeness and balance. For me, happiness and peace of mind come from these two places.

Xee L., Traverse City, MI—I stand for diversity. Beauty is unique in each individual and should be celebrated that way.

Catuani C., University Park, IL—I stand for empowering girls and women with every service. Lifting self-confidence is a rewarding way to give back to my community and my clients.

Shannon D., Naperville, IL—I stand for philanthropy. At our salon, we dedicate ourselves to helping others. We are partners with a Ronald McDonald family room in our community, and we hold beauty days once a quarter for patients and families of the room. We also donate time to many other charities in our community.

Maria F., Princeton, NJ—I stand for excellence, because I am passionate about the beauty business.

Caroline M., Carlsbad, CA—I stand for the customization of cut and color. Every person is different in hair texture, density and color, and head and face shape. Everything I do for clients is unique to each person’s needs and desires. I am proud to do as much continuing education as I can-for myself, for my trade and for my clientele.

Christine T., Dearborn, MI— I stand for passion and quality. As children, we learned to color inside the lines. As hairdressers, we’ve learned to take those tools and create outside the box. 

Alexandra N., Grapevine, TX—I stand for creating outer beauty to showcase inner beauty—one confident, fierce client at a time!

Michelle L., Salem, VA—I stand for laughter, honesty and having a special place in my clients’ hearts and lives. I stand for giving my clients' children their first haircuts, for doing their hair when they get married and for giving a grandfather his last hair cut. I stand for being professional, but also for being a person just like them. I stand for buying cupcakes from my client’s bakery and ordering peanuts from the high school volleyball team. I stand for letting the entire community know to bring donations into the salon for a client who lost everything in an apartment fire. I stand for honesty, so when someone brings a beautiful photo from Pinterest of blue and purple ombre and says, “I love that; will you do it?” I say, "Sure, but find me a photo of the same hair two weeks from now and tell me you still want it.” I stand for telling new hairdressers all about a real day in the life of regular beautician, and all of the rewards —and laughter—each of those days can bring.

Cynthia W., Westminster, CO—I stand for dreams coming true. At age 35, I graduated cosmetology school, got my license and opened my own salon. I showed my girls that anything is possible and dreams are achievable at any age, as long as you’re willing to work hard.

Beth N., New Bedford, MA—I stand for honest, hard work. Because I have a passion for hairdressing and love what I do, the hard work seems effortless. I love making people feel wonderful about themselves and giving them the confidence to go out and find their truth. I’m so grateful for this profession that gives me such a beautiful life. 

Mary B., Chicago, IL—I stand for the power of beauty and service and for touching lives one client at time.

Bethany W., Freeport, ME—I stand for traditional concepts with a creative spin. My grandfather is a second generation barber. His father taught him how to cut hair, and now he is teaching me some of the tricks of his trade. I’m currently a student in cosmetology school but, having grown up watching the goings on in a barber shop, I’ve learned a great appreciation for classic looks. However, as an emerging stylist, I want to put my new spin on them.

Jamie Z., Dover, PA —I stand for a living. Not because I enjoy getting spider veins, but because I love what I do —it’s worth standing up for! I hardly ever come across anyone who loves his or her job but, 25 years later, I still do.

Jodie H., Ida Grove, IA—I stand for treating others with respect and love. I have some special clients—people others might cast to the side because they are different, but they are my favorite people to take care of in the salon. I take extra time with them so they know they are special to me and they are loved.

Nicole D., Winston-Salem, NC—I stand for women’s rights and helping everyone feel their best. In my former career as a domestic violence counselor, I saw the devastating effects of low self-esteem. Women would often accept an unhealthy relationship because they feared they were not able to get anything better. I want to help every woman know her worth, and having beautiful hair is a physical way to help make that change! Every month I open my schedule on Sunday and offer free haircuts to women in a domestic violence shelter. We get to change the way people view themselves.

Kamala M., Burbank, CA—I stand for beautiful, healthy hair. Everyone deserves the opportunity to have their hair beautifully represent a part of themselves.

Jaymie B., Piqua, OH—I stand for happiness. Being a hairdresser is more than just “doing hair”—it’s about building trust, relationships and sometimes friendships with the most amazing people.

Bettie A., Friday Harbor, WA.—I stand for freedom. Being a hairdresser allows me to feel amazing all the time, because I’m free to be me! I make my own schedule, spend time with my kids, empower my clients! It’s hair-tabulous!

Crystal M., Groton, NY—I stand for loving my career choice. There is no other job where you can be your creative, fun-loving self and make people feel good inside and out.

Julie P., Rocklin, CA—I stand for mentoring. I believe in the power of training and guiding newly licensed cosmetologists.

Sharron M., Frankfort, MI—I stand for salons as social networks and game changers. Beauty professionals are trusted listeners who can broaden perspectives and subtly influence hearts, minds and, ultimately, the culture of the clients and community served.

Patricia E., Temecula, CA—I stand for being present, mentally and emotionally, with the client I am working with at the moment. They are paying me for my time, abilities and opinion, and I can give none of these properly if my thoughts are still with the last client or focused on the next one.

Brittany K., Slidell, LA—I stand for self-confidence. Too many young girls and guys are bullied or put down. I strive to give confidence to each and every person in my chair. Feeling good about yourself goes a long way. When I see that look of confidence on a client’s face as he or she rises from my chair, I know I have accomplished something important, and that pushes me to work harder every day and to continue on this journey to make the world a more confident and beautiful place.