Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Wachler.
Hi Raven, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I graduated from Coral Springs Charter High School in 2016, my path looked different from many of my classmates. While most were preparing to leave for four-year universities, I chose beauty school.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I’ve always loved the beauty industry, although my first obsession wasn’t hair—it was nails. In high school, long acrylic nails were everywhere, and I desperately wanted a set. My mom told me that once I got a job and could pay for them myself, I could have them. Until then, I got creative. I saved my allowance to buy press-on nails and nail tips from Sally Beauty, spending hours painting intricate designs while following YouTube tutorials. I collected every bottle of crackle nail polish I could find and loved experimenting with new looks.
At 16, I got my first job as a restaurant hostess. My first few paychecks went straight toward those chunky acrylic nails I’d been dreaming about. Soon after, my attention shifted to makeup. During the peak of the beauty guru era, I spent countless hours watching creators like Jeffree Star, Jaclyn Hill, and KathleenLights. Any money left over after my nail appointments found its way to Ulta or Sephora.
As graduation approached, I knew traditional college wasn’t the right fit for me. My mom and I explored careers in the beauty industry and narrowed it down to two schools: a makeup academy specializing in film and television, and Boca Beauty Academy, which offered a full cosmetology license. We chose the latter because it provided a professional license and a broader education.
In November 2016, I began cosmetology school while balancing two restaurant jobs. Nearly a year later, I graduated—but instead of feeling confident, I felt terrified. Despite completing 1,200 training hours, I didn’t feel ready to do hair professionally. In all honesty, I felt like I had learned very little about what it actually meant to work behind the chair. The thought of touching a paying client’s hair was intimidating, and I questioned whether I was truly prepared for the career I had worked so hard to pursue. I delayed taking my state board exam until June 2018, when I finally passed on my first attempt.
License in hand, I landed my first salon job as an assistant in Boca Raton. That position would completely change the direction of my career.
The salon became my real education.
I quickly realized that what I had learned in beauty school was only the foundation. The true art of hairstyling came from working alongside experienced professionals every day. Three stylists in particular—Caroline, Diane, and Karamy—became my mentors. They generously invested their time, encouraged me to work on models, answered endless questions, and slowly built my confidence behind the chair.
Then came 2020.
Like so many businesses, the salon we worked at the time, temporarily closed during the pandemic. When we returned, I learned that my three mentors were planning something exciting—they were opening their own salon.
I knew I wanted to continue learning from them.
Initially, there wasn’t room in the budget to hire me. Opening a business during a global pandemic came with enormous uncertainty. But I believed so strongly in the opportunity that I told Caroline; the owner, I would work simply for the education if I had to—even if I had to return to restaurant work at night to make ends meet.
Thankfully, it never came to that.
In August 2020, The Color Connection opened its doors, and just a few weeks later, I officially joined the team.
It was exactly where I was meant to be.
Every day became an opportunity to learn. Instead of simply assisting and being the salons Cinderella, I was encouraged to work on models, practice new techniques, and gradually build my own clientele. My confidence grew with every appointment, every challenge, and every mistake that turned into a lesson. After about a year of assisting for these ladies, I launched my professional hair Instagram @ravenabouthair, handed out my first business cards labeled as a “junior stylist”, and slowly began establishing myself as a stylist.
While growing my hair career, I also returned to school part-time and earned my Associate of Arts in Business Administration in December 2025. It was perfect timing, as I was learning not only the artistry of hair but also the realities of building and operating a successful business by watching my mentors create one from the ground up.
This August marks eight years since I first stepped into a salon.
Today, I’ve discovered that my true passion lies in hair color. Whether it’s blonding, gray blending, dimensional brunettes, vibrant reds, fashion colors, or challenging color corrections, I love the creativity, science, and transformation that color brings. I am continuously working on developing my cutting skills, I also offer hair extensions and still have a passion for makeup—the first artistic outlet that sparked my love for the beauty industry all those years ago. Color, however, is where I feel most inspired.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I know there’s still so much more to learn. That’s one of the things I love most about this industry—there is always another technique to master, another trend to explore, and another opportunity to grow.
Most importantly, I’m incredibly grateful. Grateful for my mother for encouraging me to follow my dreams. Grateful for the mentors who believed in me before I believed in myself. Grateful for the amazing clients who trust me with their hair. And grateful to be part of The Color Connection, where I work alongside some of the most talented, supportive women I know.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It wasn’t always a smooth road. One of my earliest challenges was realizing that, despite completing beauty school, I didn’t feel prepared to work behind the chair. I questioned whether I would ever become the stylist I hoped to be. It was discouraging to discover that the real education would begin only after graduation, through hands-on experience and mentorship.
Another defining moment came when I learned that the three stylists who had become not only my friends but my mentors as well, were leaving our salon to open one of their own. I had to make a difficult decision: remain in a financially stable position or take a leap of faith and follow the people I knew would help shape my future. It meant sacrificing short-term financial security for long-term career growth. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Life presented an even greater challenge in 2022, when my favorite person in the world—my mom—was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Overnight, my priorities shifted. Alongside building my career, I became her caregiver, doing everything I could to support her through treatments and hold onto hope that she would beat this disease. It was an incredibly difficult season that tested me both personally and professionally, but it also taught me resilience, perspective, and the importance of cherishing every moment with the people you love.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Color is where my passion truly shines. While many hairstylists are well-rounded in every aspect of hair, I’ve found my niche in creating beautiful, customized color. Blonding is my specialty—I could highlight hair all day and never get tired of it—but I genuinely love every aspect of hair color.
Recently, I’ve become especially passionate about gray blending, helping women embrace their natural silver while creating a seamless, low-maintenance look that feels modern and confident rather than something to hide. Whether I’m crafting an icy blonde, a rich dimensional brunette, a vibrant burgundy red, or correcting a challenging color, I love creating personalized formulas that enhance each client’s natural beauty.
No two clients are alike, which is why every color appointment begins with understanding the individual. I take into account skin tone, eye color, inspiration photos, lifestyle, maintenance preferences, and budget to create hair that not only looks beautiful the day they leave the salon but also fits their everyday life.
Outside of color, I’m probably best known for my heatless curls. I love showing clients and followers that gorgeous hair doesn’t always require hot tools. Whether I’m using traditional heatless curling rods, socks, or even leggings, I enjoy sharing creative techniques that help people achieve beautiful styles while keeping their hair healthy. Inspiring others to care for their hair—not just style it—is one of my favorite parts of what I do.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
As silly as it sounds, Instagram contributes to doing my best in life. I follow all kinds of stylists, brands, and influencers that motivate me in the hair industry and educate me as well.
Pricing:
- Custom Highlights starting at $185
- Double Process Color starting at $250
- Custom Balayage/Color Melt starting at $375
- Single Process starting at $80
- Gloss/Toner starting at $85
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecolorconnectionhair.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ravenabouthair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecolorconnectionhair/
