Education is at the heart of growth in the beauty industry, shaping the next generation of stylists and inspiring innovation behind the chair. Few embody this passion for education as wholeheartedly as
Heather Thorson, a dedicated stylist based in Bellingham, WA, and an esteemed
Davines educator.Recently honored with the
Davines Education Impact Award, Heather’s commitment to sharing knowledge, uplifting fellow stylists, and continuously evolving in her craft has made a lasting impact. In this interview, she reflects on her journey, the transformative power of education, and what it means to be recognized for her contributions.
An Educator’s Journey:What inspired you to become an educator in the professional beauty industry, and specifically with Davines?As early as beauty school, I found myself assisting my peers to help them build confidence and be successful, and I quickly realized education was my passion. When I found Davines, I found a brand whose values matched my own. Now, I get to share my knowledge about hair care and color, as well as sustainability.How has your role as an educator shaped or deepened your passion for hairstyling?It's an amazing thing that happens when you have to share your knowledge with others—your understanding of the topic has to be so much deeper. The longer I've been an educator, the better I understand what I do behind the chair, which in turn makes me more confident working with any client that I work with.What do you find most rewarding about being an educator, and what keeps you motivated to teach?I love getting to meet other hairstylists and help them deepen their understanding of what they do. Every salon that I walk into and every group that I work with is an opportunity for me to continue my learning, as well as theirs, and together we create a more successful industry. Anyone can be successful if they have the right support. 
Insights & Lessons Learned:
Since stepping into the educator role, what have you learned about yourself and the industry that you didn’t expect?I remember being told early on that, even though we're a large industry, we're very connected. Over the years, I have built great relationships that have come back to visit me a decade later and continue to push me into new parts of my career. I started out thinking I would only work behind the chair, but this industry can take you anywhere you want to go. You never know when someone might see something in you that you didn't see yourself and present you with an amazing opportunity you didn’t even know existed.Can you share a moment or experience in your career as an educator that has been particularly impactful or transformative?Many years ago, I worked for a brand that participated in a lot of hair shows around the country, including ISSE in Los Angeles. I had been working in the model room the whole weekend when, out of nowhere, I was told I was going on stage at the booth. Although it was a smaller side stage, this was still one of the biggest hair shows in the industry at the time, and I was going to be on stage. I was so nervous, but I told myself I knew what I was doing and to get up there and just do it! That was the first of many on-stage experiences. Working as a platform artist at hair shows was a thrilling experience, to say the least.
Advice for Future Educators:
What qualities or skills do you think make someone a great educator in the beauty industry?A great educator is always looking for more answers. They’re always curious about how or why things work the way they do. But it’s not just about being hungry for knowledge—more importantly, it’s about being able to explain what you know in a way that is easily understood by anyone.
What advice would you give to hairstylists who are interested in becoming educators but don’t know where to start?Reach out to the brand whose products you love working with, and if you don’t know how to do that, reach out to your sales consultant—they will point you in the right direction. Brands want educators who are passionate about their products, and they will train you on what to say.The Importance of Continued Education
In your opinion, why is continued education essential for hairstylists, and how can it impact their career success?
Our business is all about trends, and they are constantly evolving. Some things are classic and never get old, but we need to know what’s trending to stay up-to-date with the requests and desires of our clients. We can never know too much, and we never know everything. Stay humble and learn as much as you can, always.
How do you encourage stylists to embrace lifelong learning, even when they feel comfortable in their craft?Artistry aside, we are all trying to have a successful business in the beauty industry. And the nature of business is needing new business. We can’t expect every client we will ever have to stay with us for our entire career. That means we need to be constantly learning about new technology, new trends, new techniques, and new ways to add value to our services. Smart, sustainable businesses are consistently making improvements to systems, policies, and procedures. And most of the time, that means learning new things.About the Davines Education Impact Award:
Congratulations on winning the Davines Education Impact Award! What does this recognition mean to you, and how do you hope to continue making an impact in the industry?I truly was not expecting this award, and it is such an honor to be recognized by Davines for the hard work and dedication I put into being an educator. I started my journey as an educator 15 years ago and have had the pleasure of supporting and inspiring thousands of hairdressers. Knowing that I have played a role in each of their journeys is something you can’t put a price on, and you can’t take away. I look forward to what’s next for our industry, thankful that I get the opportunity to learn it and then share that knowledge with my peers.
Heather’s journey is a testament to the power of education in the beauty industry. Her passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to learning continue to inspire hairstylists. As she moves forward, her impact on the industry is sure to grow, shaping the future of beauty education one stylist at a time.
Congratulations again, Heather, on this well-deserved recognition!