Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Cartwright.
Hi Robert, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my career in the beauty industry at 18, apprenticing in my aunt’s salon while I was still in school. What started as a job quickly became something I truly fell in love with. Over the years, I worked my way through different sides of the industry from managing salons in Miami to doing editorial work for magazines and television and every experience helped shape the stylist and business owner I am today.
Eventually, I opened my own salon studio in downtown Miami, where I’ve now been for five years. I specialize in blondes, but what means the most to me is the relationships I’ve built with my clients along the way. I was fortunate enough to inherit many of my aunt’s clients when she moved away and sold her salon, and incredibly, more than 20 years later, many of them are still sitting in my chair.
Looking back, my career has really been a combination of hard work, taking chances, and staying true to myself. The industry has changed so much since I started, but my love for creating beautiful hair and making people feel confident when they leave my chair has never changed. I’m still evolving, still learning, and honestly, still excited about what’s next.
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?
Definitely not. There have been plenty of highs and lows along the way, and I think those challenges are a big part of what shaped me into the person and business owner I am today.
Working in this industry for more than two decades has meant constantly adapting trends change, the economy changes, the beauty industry changes, and you have to be willing to change with it. I’ve also experienced the challenges that come with running your own business and, at times, having to figure things out without a safety net.
One of the biggest lessons for me has been learning that success isn’t always a straight line. There have been moments when I questioned myself, my career, and whether I was on the right path. But each difficult period taught me something, whether it was about business, resilience, or simply believing in myself a little more.
I think the biggest struggle has sometimes been my own expectations of myself. I’ve always pushed myself to do more and be better, and learning to appreciate how far I’ve come has been just as important as continuing to grow. The road hasn’t been smooth, but I honestly wouldn’t change that. The challenges made me stronger, more independent, and much more confident in who I am today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a hairstylist and salon owner, and I’ve spent my entire adult life in the beauty industry. I specialize in blondes, but my work has always been about much more than hair. I want my clients to feel like the best version of themselves when they leave my chair.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work in many different areas of the industry, including salon management, editorial work, television, and now owning my own studio in downtown Miami. I’ve built my business largely through relationships and word of mouth, which is something I’m incredibly proud of. Some of my clients have been with me for more than 20 years, and that kind of loyalty means more to me than any number of followers or accolades ever could.
What I think sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the person sitting in my chair. I’m not interested in giving everyone the same look or simply following whatever trend is popular. I listen to my clients, understand their lifestyle and what makes them feel confident, and then create something that feels like them. I’m also constantly learning and evolving because I never want to become complacent.
I’m probably most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to build a career that has lasted for more than two decades while staying independent and continuing to grow. Hair is my craft, but the relationships I’ve built and the trust people have placed in me are what make me most proud.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that you have to trust yourself, even when you don’t have all the answers.
There have been so many moments in my career when I’ve questioned whether I was making the right decision or wondered if I was where I was supposed to be. Over time, I’ve learned that you can’t always wait until you feel completely confident to take the next step. Sometimes you just have to take the leap, figure it out along the way, and trust that you’ll be okay.
I’ve also learned that success isn’t just about how much money you make or how successful you look from the outside. For me, it’s about building genuine relationships, creating work I’m proud of, and being able to look back after more than 20 years and know that I built something that is truly mine.
And maybe most importantly, I’ve learned to give myself some credit. I’ve spent a lot of my life pushing myself to do better and wondering what I should be doing next. Learning to stop occasionally and appreciate how far I’ve already come has been a pretty important lesson in itself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: RobDoesHair
