Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridget Bowes.
Hi Bridget, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I first decided what I wanted to do with my career, I originally dreamed of becoming a plastic surgeon. I loved the idea of helping people feel more confident in themselves through transformation and artistry. However, after realizing I faint whenever I see blood, I quickly understood that path was probably not meant for me. Becoming a hairstylist felt like the next best thing because it still involved precision, creativity, and the ability to make people feel beautiful and confident in their own skin.
I began my career at Anthony Cristiano Salon located in the Trump Hotel & Tower in Chicago, where Anthony himself trained and mentored me. He taught me nearly everything I know today and played a huge role in shaping both my technical skills and professionalism behind the chair. After building my foundation there, I moved to Salon Buzz in Chicago’s Gold Coast, where I worked for two years continuing to grow my clientele and experience. Eventually, I returned to Anthony Cristiano Salon and spent another two years working on the floor, refining my craft even further and developing my own style as a hairstylist.
After years of experience in some of Chicago’s top salons, I decided to take the leap and start working for myself. I first rented a chair in Chicago’s West Loop for about a year, but I quickly became extremely busy doing house calls throughout Chicago’s North Shore. Because so much of my clientele was based there, I ultimately decided to open my own salon suite in Highland Park, Illinois. Once I left the salon environment and began working independently, I also became heavily involved in bridal hairstyling and editorial work, which allowed me to expand my creativity and work in a more fast-paced and artistic setting. Owning my own space has allowed me to create a more personalized and elevated experience for my clients while continuing to grow my brand and career doing what I love most.
Now, I’m preparing for my next chapter by expanding my clientele to South Florida as I plan to relocate there next year. I’m excited to continue building my career in a new market, connect with new clients, and create the future I’ve always envisioned for myself both personally and professionally.
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 definitely has been a long road, and like any career, it came with a lot of challenges along the way. One of the biggest struggles in the beginning was building a clientele from the ground up and earning people’s trust as a new stylist. Later on, when I decided to leave the salon environment and work independently, I had to somewhat rebuild my clientele again on Chicago’s North Shore. Even though I already had a strong network and connections in the area, starting over in a new setting still required a lot of consistency, patience, and hard work. Now, as I prepare to move to South Florida/Miami, I know I’ll once again have to rebuild from scratch in an entirely new market. While that can feel intimidating, I also see it as an exciting opportunity to continue growing both personally and professionally.
At the same time, I was also navigating personal life challenges while trying to grow my career. Losing my dad was one of the hardest experiences I’ve ever gone through, and during that time I was also helping my mom sell their family business. Balancing grief, family responsibilities, and the pressure of continuing to build my own future was incredibly difficult at times. But those experiences also made me stronger, more driven, and more appreciative of the career and life I’ve built for myself. They taught me resilience and reminded me why creating confidence and connection with my clients means so much to me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a hairstylist specializing in precision haircuts, luxury blowouts, event and bridal hairstyling, keratin treatments and extensions. Over the years, I’ve built my career around creating customized looks that enhance each client’s natural beauty while still feeling effortless and maintainable. I’m known for creating polished yet natural results, as well as for providing a personalized experience where clients feel comfortable, heard, and taken care of from the moment they sit in my chair. In addition to salon work, I’ve also become heavily involved in bridal and editorial hairstyling, which has allowed me to work in more creative and fast-paced environments while continuing to expand my artistry.
What I’m most proud of is building my career and clientele largely through relationships, referrals, and trust. I’ve had the opportunity to work in some of Chicago’s top salons, eventually transition into working independently, and successfully open my own salon suite in Highland Park. I’m also proud of the resilience it took to continue growing my career through personal challenges and major life transitions while still staying focused on my goals and the experience I provide for my clients.
What sets me apart is the balance I bring between technical skill, attention to detail, and genuine connection with people. One thing I focus heavily on is creating haircuts that still look great even when clients don’t feel like fully styling their hair. I want my clients to be able to wash their hair, let it air dry, and still feel confident and polished in their look. I truly care about making my clients feel confident, elevated, and comfortable, not just giving them great hair. I also think my background has made me very adaptable and versatile in my work. I’m always focused on continuing to grow creatively, staying current with trends and techniques, and creating an experience that feels both high-end and personal at the same time.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My biggest advice for finding a mentor and networking is to first figure out what area of the industry you’re most passionate about and what you want your niche to be. Whether that’s precision haircuts, bridal styling, extensions, dimensional color, or specializing in blonding, I think it’s important to identify what excites you most and then find a master stylist you genuinely admire and can learn from. Early in my career, I was fortunate to work under incredible mentors who taught me not only technical skills, but also professionalism, client relationships, and how to build a successful long-term career in this industry.
I think one thing that’s changed over the years is that fewer people seem willing to assist, but honestly, assisting was where I learned the most. It gave me the opportunity to observe experienced stylists closely, work with different personality types and clientele, learn how to navigate difficult situations, understand how the business side of salons operates, and build confidence before fully stepping behind the chair on my own. Beyond technical skills, it teaches you work ethic, communication, adaptability, and how to create a luxury experience for clients. I truly believe those experiences helped shape the stylist and business owner I am today.
As far as networking, I think relationships are everything in this industry. Some of the best opportunities come from simply building genuine connections, maintaining a good reputation, being reliable, and always staying open to learning from others. This industry is incredibly relationship-driven, and the more authentic and consistent you are, the more opportunities naturally begin to come your way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgetboweshair/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578232298063
- Other: https://Bb-hair.square.site
