Meet Lucas Doney | Hair Stylist & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucas Doney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucas, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I think my thought process about starting my own business was similar to a lot of other entrepreneurs. I had reached a point in my career where the environment I was working in began to feel like it wasn’t the right fit anymore. I had grown as a person and it was time for me to spread my wings. I was always told that the salon I started in would not be the salon I stayed in.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Hairdressing is a mesh of for and function. We have the ability to create living art on people’s heads that walks out of the building. Bringing the creative thought process into the mix really adds some amazing dynamics to what we get to do. When we do a hair show, or a photo shoot, or create a collection we always try and connect with that creative part of the brain in hairdressers. Maybe we take a unique, creative approach to something classic. Maybe we take a massive risk and try something that we have never tried in the world of hair before. I feel like I have been lucky enough to stand behind the idea that its so important to understand what we do so that we can really stretch the thought process in what we do. In our industry it is so easy to lose motivation and feel stagnant. But we can literally change that with how we approach things. We can choose to be creative. It’s amazing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The list of “favorite” spots in the city is so long… I’d say that when friends come to town I want to take them to the beach for sure, especially if they are visiting from somewhere that doesn’t have the beach. I always enjoy taking them to all my favorite food spots. We have so many good taco spots in San Diego. It’s a must to hit them all. I love Salud in Barrio Logan. The vibes and the food are San Diego essentials.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by so many talented hairdressers in this industry. I think that my interactions and exposure to so much talent has shaped who I am in the salon now. My close friends are all mega talented humans. I started a haircutting education company with one of my best buds. His name is Clinton Norris. My friends Aaron Johnson, James Mould, Ben Crase have all had a hand in my journey along with so many others. I have to give some massive credit to my father. I look up to him in so many different ways. He’s been there every step of the way.

Website: www.varsityhaireducation.com
Instagram: @lucasdoney
Twitter: @lucasdoney
Facebook: @lucasodoney