Zoey wasn’t just any friend; she was the friend—the one you called when you needed your hair done, whether it was for a school dance, a pageant, or even a musical performance. She’s the go-to stylist who can make anyone feel like a star. What started as a passion in high school quickly grew into a side hustle, all while she was pursuing her nursing studies at Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center (EWCTC). Balancing both worlds, Junior Zoey Wilders is determined to turn her love for cosmetology into something bigger, blending it with her dreams of working in healthcare.
The Start of a Passion
Zoey’s journey into hairstyling began when she was a freshman at EWCTC. Although she was enrolled in the nursing program, she had always had a love for cosmetology. She began doing her friends’ hair for fun, but as the years went by, it turned into something more. “I’ve always been the friend that does hair, even though I do nursing,” Zoey explains. “I would do everyone’s hair for clinical or any sporting event, and then when homecoming and prom came around, I started doing hair outside of school.”
By her sophomore year, Zoey was not only doing hair for homecoming but also for prom. It was then that she started taking on more clients and turning her hobby into a side job. At homecoming, she typically styles 4 to 5 people, but by prom, she’s taking on 8 to 9 clients. She charges anywhere between $20 and $35 depending on the style, and her business continues to grow each year.
Expanding Her Client Base
Zoey’s hairstyling work isn’t just limited to her high school. She often works with clients from nearby schools like Derry and Ligonier, where the dance dates are different from her own school’s schedule. “A lot of times, I take people from Derry or Ligonier, which is how I get to do so many people’s hair,” she says. “Their schools have different dates, so it works out for me.” Through EWCTC and her other extracurricular activities, Zoey has had the chance to meet and connect with girls from different schools, expanding her client base and growing her network.
Styling for Musicals, Pageants, and Special Events
In addition to homecoming and prom, Zoey also offers her hairstyling services for school musicals and pageants. As a participant in the musical, she’s not just backstage performing but also helping her fellow cast members with their hair. “Between mic checks and costume changes, I get to do their hair and make sure they look good before going on stage,” she explains. Her talent extends beyond the musical, though—she’s also done hair for several pageants, helping contestants look their best for the competition. Whether it’s intricate updos or elegant curls, Zoey is always ready to make her clients shine.
Though Zoey enjoys styling hair the most, she also does makeup occasionally, though it’s not her primary focus. One area she’s particularly skilled at is eyelash tinting, lifts, and extensions, adding another great way to help people feel glamorous and confident.
A Future in Healthcare and Cosmetology
Despite her growing success in the world of beauty, Zoey is committed to her healthcare career. She’s been focused on the nursing program at EWCTC for three years and plans to become a medical assistant (MA). “I plan to be an MA, and eventually get my RN,” she says. “But I also want to get my cosmetology license and do that on the side. I’d love to have the best of both worlds.”
Once she’s able to earn her cosmetology license, Zoey plans on starting her own small business. She’s already thinking ahead, with plans to create a website to showcase her work and help her build a client base. “Once I get my cosmetology license, I want to have my own business and start posting my hair work online,” she says.
The Road Ahead
Zoey’s plans for the future are clear: she wants to balance both her passion for healthcare and her love for cosmetology. As she finishes her time at EWCTC, she’s considering community college or Ohio State University for her next step in education. She’s determined to make both careers work, creating a future where she can excel in both fields.
Zoey Wilders is a perfect example of someone who refuses to limit herself to just one path. Her dedication to both healthcare and cosmetology shows that with passion, hard work, and a little creativity, you can chase multiple dreams and succeed in all of them.