Be Inspired Salon’s Founder, Kati Whitledge, shares the heart of her decision and the inspiration behind trying a bold new hairstyle.

Here is why I cut my hair.

Besides my attitude of ‪#‎YOLO‬ and/or ‘because I can’…I want to share the heart of my decision. As a beauty expert who has been part of the industry since 2005, I’ve seen a lot of trends come and go. We are an ever moving society that has an insatiable appetite for change. I used to think having bright blonde hair on the top of my head with deep maroon popping out from underneath was a cool contrast that allowed me to stand out as an obvious hair stylist. Looking back as many of us will or have, we realize that wasn’t a great call. However, in the moment I felt confident, youthful and trendy.

But something happened to me as it does to a lot of stylists. I slowly evolved to fit the mold of a seasoned professional. I wore less eye makeup, I went less days in between NOT washing my hair and though I’ve never fully relinquished my high heels…I became a ‘natural’ looking brunette. Keep in mind that I’m naturally blonde (yes). But when I became a business owner, I had this sense that my days of standing out with a ‘wild’ style were over. There was a noticeable shift in response from other professionals from when I was blonde to now that I’m a brunette. Interesting?

When is the last time you did something for the first time? I think about one of my stylists (who will remain nameless) whom we often provoke to cut her hair because we can visualize how amazing a shorter length would look on her. Similar to how we envision new styles for our guests every single day! But there’s this fear inside of her that prohibits her from pulling the trigger. Well isn’t this the same fear our guests feel? “What if I regret it?”, “What if I don’t look as good as I do now?”, “What if others don’t like it?” How is it that we can easily encourage our guests to trust us in implementing a new style, yet we are so scared ourselves to face potential persecution?

I woke up at 2am thinking, what have I done?! I even prayed to God because in times of anxiousness, He brings a calming peace. (Thank you Jesus!) I realized then that even though it will not be a pleasant process to regrow someday, I am in my early thirties, I am a fitness junky (one of my new icons is Ronda Rousy), and Demi Lovato is so freaking gorgeous with this asymmetrical, shaved side hairstyle that I knew this is the leap I was ready to take. I really get the best of both worlds. I like preppy and urban styles… so I can look like a bad a*$ while pulling it back together for a more conservative and acceptable appeal.

It’s funny how some have already reacted! My family wonders what my team will think. Some of my team wonders what my husband thinks. Well, let’s just put in here what I think. I think it’s bold. It’s beautiful. And after all of these years, I was finally INSPIRED to try something new! Like it or Leave it?…it doesn’t really matter because it’s here and it’s going to be this way for a while. My hope is that you all are willing to take risks, especially in areas of your life that aren’t life or death for goodness sake!