How Vanessa Rose Chykerda Built a Business That Feels Personal
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 30
- 4 min read
Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
Vanessa Rose Chykerda is a passionate hairstylist, educator, and salon owner who has built her career on transforming not just hair, but lives. Through her artistry and teaching, she inspires others to embrace authenticity, confidence, and self-love — all while fostering meaningful connections within the beauty community.
In a world where beauty often starts on the outside, Vanessa Rose Chykerda believes it truly begins from within. Her journey through the salon and beauty industry has been one of creativity, resilience, and authenticity — rooted in a deep love for helping others see their best selves reflected in the mirror. Her story is one of transformation: of strands, of souls, and of self-belief.
What first drew you into the salon and beauty industry — was there a moment or influence that made you know “this is it”?
I have always been creative; I love making things beautiful and put together in every aspect of my life. My first day working in the student salon at MC College Edmonton Campus, I was finishing up my client. It was 5 p.m. on a cold January evening when I looked out the window and had my “this is it” moment. I didn’t care how late it was or that the day was almost over — I wasn’t in a rush to go home. I was already thinking about when I’d get to come back. When you find a career where you’re not counting the hours until home time, but instead planning your next move with excitement, that’s the most beautiful feeling.
When you think about your identity as a stylist, educator, and “brand,” what do you most want people to feel or see when they hear your name?
Authenticity and love — that’s the foundation of everything I do. If something doesn’t align with who I am, it doesn’t belong in my life. Whether it’s a project, a goal, or a relationship, I approach it with pure intention — always from a place of love.
What has been one of your biggest challenges or surprises in building a business in the hair industry — and how did you work through it?
Imposter syndrome is real — especially when you’re creating someone’s vision of themselves. You’re listening to what your client is asking for but also have opinions of your own on what your client should do, and it’s a hard line to see when it comes to respecting your client’s wishes and suggesting certain things that may look better in our professional opinion. You must truly understand your client, guide, and listen to them through choices like color and cut. It’s a powerful position — changing how someone looks also changes how they see themselves and how the world sees them.
I’ve learned to find myself as an artist in that space. My role is to give, to help, and to lead with love. It’s not about perfection — it’s about understanding, listening, and being someone people can trust and open up to. At the end of the day, I do this out of love — to bring joy, confidence, and beauty to others. Plain and simple.
“It’s not about perfection — it’s about understanding, listening, and being someone people can trust.”
When you mentor or teach others in the beauty field, what is the message you most want them to carry forward?
Complete every service with professionalism and authenticity. There are standards in this industry, especially when meeting clients for the first time — be professional in all your services, but always be yourself. No career is worth pursuing if you can’t show up as who you truly are.
Looking ahead, if you could make one change or raise one idea in the hair/beauty world, what would you like your influence to spark?
Create deeper connections through authenticity and love — because at the end of the day, everyone just wants to feel seen and heard. True happiness comes from being authentic; it lifts the pressure of trying to be “the perfect person,” a standard no one can truly live up to. I know because I’ve been there. You can be the picture of the “perfect worker” and still lose yourself in the process — and that’s the worst feeling in the world. The key is balance: professionalism and authenticity, working hand in hand.
“True happiness comes from being authentic; it lifts the pressure of trying to be ‘the perfect person.’”
What has been one of your biggest challenges or surprises in building a business in the hair industry — and how did you work through it?
I am my business. Becoming who I am today and defining what I stand for came from learning from other professionals — but mostly from listening to my heart, trusting what felt right, and noticing what truly resonated with my clients.
The biggest challenge is finding your footing and defining who you are as an artist behind the chair. Once you’re rooted in that, the right clients naturally follow. If you’re dishonest in your work, pricing, or expertise, your clientele will reflect that. But when you lead with honesty, hard work, fairness, and kindness, it always takes you far. Be kind to yourself and the journey you are on, and have that same lenience with your clients.
Vanessa Rose Chykerda's journey is a reflection of what makes the beauty industry so powerful: authenticity, connection, and love. Through her work as a hairstylist, educator, and salon owner, she continues to remind others that true beauty begins with confidence, kindness, and the courage to be oneself — one powerful strand at a time.
For more info, follow Vanessa on Instagram.
