Not everyone’s journey is quick and easy. This is the case with McKenzie Dears, who had to overcome medical problems in order to finally fulfill her dream of being a cosmetologist. However, with the help of her team at Ogle, she was able to find that new opportunity and bond with clients who could help her out. Find out more about McKenzie’s experience with this interview.
McKenzie Dears’ Journey
What made you realize you really loved cosmetology?
My mom–she was a hairstylist for many years. I grew up in the salon. And it just always kind of pulled to me. I love doing hair. I love doing makeup. I just knew that it was always going to be my niche. I just took that leap of faith and came to Ogle.
What are you most passionate about?
I think I’m most passionate about just putting a smile on someone’s face, to see them come in in a bad mood or just still in a good mood, but when I get done and turn that chair around, just to see the smile on their face, I’ve always just, I don’t know, it just lights up my heart. That just makes me happy.
What have been your obstacles?
I’ve had medical problems that actually made me leave my last job. They told me that I was going to have my fingers amputated, that I would never be able to do anything with my hands anymore, but I proved them wrong with the help of my Ogle instructors. I’m about to graduate. And I think it’s awesome.
Why did you choose Ogle School?
I actually used to come to Ogle all the time. I used to come for my birthdays and have all my friends get their hair and makeup done. I just remember seeing everyone and having a great time. I didn’t really look at them as students. I looked at them as artists and hairstylists. And that was my main focus: to come here and not be treated like just someone that’s kind of learning. I do feel like an artist. When someone comes in, they trust me with their hair. And that was the biggest thing. It’s just seeing how much fun that they had here, the clientele that was coming in here. A lot of other schools, not saying that they don’t have the education part of it, but they don’t get that one-on-one with the clients like we do here. And I thought that was the main thing that stuck out to me about Ogle.
Talk about a time when you had an impact on someone you met through Ogle.
You know, it was actually recently. It happened last week. A lady came in. She actually wasn’t even my client. My friend, Shy, had to leave early. I went ahead and took her client to help her out, but it turned out that we both have an autoimmune disease. And she never really found anyone to talk to about it. And she didn’t ever feel she had someone that was in the exact same corner. She was going through the exact same things I was. And we sat there, and we talked for an hour afterward; and I feel like she impacted me just as much as I impacted her.
We exchanged phone numbers, and I still keep up with her and we talk. When you find someone that is going through chronic pain or anything like that, you don’t really know what it’s like until you’ve been there. And you can talk to people about it all day, every day, but once you have that person that has gone through what you’ve gone through, it’s like a release. It’s like you finally found someone that’s like, “You’re not crazy. You’re not just thinking this by yourself. You’re not the only one going through it either.” And I think that was probably one of the things.
Do you have any words of wisdom to give to other aspiring beauty professionals?
When anyone tells you that you can’t do it, push as hard as you can, as hard as you possibly can. Like I said, if I would have listened to what people told me that I couldn’t do it, I wouldn’t be here right now.
Discover Your Own Beautiful Story
Ogle School believes in letting students control their own narrative. If you’re interested in joining the beauty industry, the Ogle School cosmetology program or esthetics program could be exactly what you need. You can fill out the form to request more information about how Ogle School is the perfect place for you to be.
