Image Description: Trinity, on the right, smiles in a selfie with team members in her salon.

What does career growth really look like for a new stylist? For Trinity, it looked like a 90-minute commute to cosmetology school, followed by a same-day interview text, and a salon manager title just two years after graduating.  

We sat down with Trinity to talk about her path from rural Northern California to managing a Great Clips location in the Sacramento area. Our conversation reveals that when stylists show up and speak up, the opportunities for advancement are real. 

Q: It sounds like your work life has been a whirlwind. What’s your backstory? 

Trinity: I graduated from Paul Mitchell School in Carmichael, which is part of the Sacramento area, in January 2024. I'm originally from a rural area, so the drive to school was about 90 minutes each way. It was not easy, but I really wanted it, so I made it happen. 

After I passed my exams, I applied at a Great Clips salon. I was lucky enough to be interviewed by my current general manager Sandy, and she offered me the position on the spot: a stylist role, straight out of school. During the technical portion of my interview, I did a fade on a mannequin, and Sandy gave me helpful feedback the whole time. She wanted to help me improve and I knew right away that more training and support was exactly what I needed. 

Q: How did you feel about your skill level when you graduated? 

Trinity: I graduated right around the time California lowered the required cosmetology hours from 1,600 to 1,000, so honestly, I knew I had gaps. I knew that if I rented a chair somewhere, I'd be on my own — and that wouldn't have been good for me at that stage. Accessing ongoing training from the very start was really important to me. 

I'm the kind of person who can be a little over-confident sometimes, so having people around me — my manager, my coworkers — who would pull me aside and say, "Hey, can I show you a trick?" was everything. That was our code for a friendly intervention! I felt so supported from day one, and honestly, I still do. 

Q: What were you most nervous about heading into the salon for the first time? 

Trinity: I knew Great Clips does haircuts for everyone, but the salon I was going to did a lot of men's cuts. My school had really prepped me for a full-service salon with an emphasis on color. So my haircuts were taking longer than I wanted, and I was nervous I wouldn't be able to keep up with the flow of the salon. 

Q: What helped you feel comfortable? 

Trinity: Honestly, the people. Everyone was so friendly! It was clear from day one that I wouldn't be left to figure things out alone. There were flyers for upcoming classes in the break room, and I could see right away that there were lots of training options available. I knew I wouldn't be left in the dust. 

Q: Did you always have your sights set on salon management? 

Trinity: I made it clear from the start that I wanted to improve as a stylist and, long-term, advance my career as much as possible. Sandy listened during my interview and remembered that. 

About three months in, I asked my salon manager if it was too early to become her assistant! She said there wasn't a set timeline; it just came down to performance goals. As I was getting used to salon life, my living situation changed and my drive to the salon got much longer. Sandy asked if I wanted to transfer to a salon closer to where I'd be living, and there was no way I was turning that down. 

She had me work a few shifts at the new location to get a feel for it. The salon was full of very experienced stylists. I had been with my Great Clips franchise owner for five months at that point. While there, I was offered my first position in management. I was about ten years younger than most of the stylists so, I'll be honest, I was worried about pushback. But I didn't experience it. They were happy to have someone there to run the floor, manage schedules, and step in when a manager was needed. I worked there for a year, and it was smooth. 

After that, I moved out of Sacramento and Sandy brought me back to my original salon location as manager. I've been there since February 2026. 

Q: Talk about the leadership and training support Great Clips offers. 

Trinity: There's a foundation of brand support here that you just don't get everywhere.  With Great Clips, you don't need to have your own book of clients. You bring your clippers, your shears, and a good attitude — that's it! 

Cosmetology school doesn't teach you everything. It definitely doesn't teach you how to work efficiently. But my Great Clips franchise organization loves to train people. It's genuinely part of the culture here. 

Q: What are your relationships like with other salons and managers?  

Trinity: Our relationships are great! As managers, we think up fun challenges together, find ways to keep our teams excited, and we do a lot of community volunteering and charity events. There's a real sense of being part of something bigger than just your own four walls. 

Q: When you look back at how far you've come in just two years, what's the biggest lesson you'd share with a new stylist? 

Trinity: It's crazy how fast I've moved! In a good way! The biggest thing I'd say is to make it clear that you want it. Show up. Pick up the extra shifts. Tell the people around you what your goals are. Be the first person that pops into someone's mind when something needs to get done.  

Q: What would you say to a stylist who's thinking about applying to work at a Great Clips salon? Is the growth potential real? 

Trinity: There is so much more to Great Clips than a stylist position. I've seen stylists move into management, into leadership or training roles… the advancement never stops. Even Sandy, who I thought had reached the top of where she could go, is now working with salons up in Seattle. You can keep growing forever.  

How about you? 

If you’re thinking about making a career move, check out the job opportunities available with a franchise owner of Great Clips salons near you. 

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