GUEST EPISODE: A Conversation with Katie, The Walmart Hairstylist

On this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, I sit down with Katie, the awesome hairstylist and content creator behind the TikTok account @walmarthairstylist, for a conversation I've been so excited to share with you! And an important note, I've shared before that I don't edit these podcasts, and that includes this one. We celebrate authenticity, realness and imperfection over here. 

Late last year, Katie showed up on my fyp and stopped me in my tracks. Not because of trends or transformations per se, but because of the level of care and consistency she showed in every piece of content I watched. I remember thinking, omg, this can't be real. Is this AI? Not because I was judging her or where she worked, but because this level of consistent client experience is so rarely represented online, especially in value-based salons.

After that episode aired, Katie and I connected online. Then on FaceTime. And now, we're bringing our conversation to you!

In This Episode

• Why going to a salon is actually not a luxury and how confusing market position with worth is hurting our industry
• What Katie means by "luxury on a budget," and why it's really about care, consistency, and making people feel comfortable and seen at any price point
• How she thinks about showing up for her clients every day, taking pride in her work, and creating a space that feels calm and welcoming
• What success looks like when you're focused on doing good work, taking care of people, and liking where you are, and not wasting time in the drama

Thank you, Katie, for being our guest. I'm so grateful for you. You can follow Katie on TikTok at @walmarthairstylist and now on Instagram @