Meet Kate Cher | Hairstylist, Blonding and Extensions specialist

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

Hi Kate, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m originally from Minsk, Belarus and growing up, I was always surrounded by creativity. My family encouraged me to express myself artistically, and I found that hairstyling was a natural fit for me. Whether it was experimenting with friends’ hair or being inspired by the beauty trends I saw around me, I realized early on that I loved the transformative power of hair. My upbringing taught me the importance of hard work, attention to detail, and building connections with people, all of which have shaped me into the hairstylist I am today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career began many years ago in Belarus, though it’s funny to think that it started with school after-hours hairstyling classes that I didn’t take very seriously at the time. I earned my diploma but initially chose a different profession. However, I found myself unhappy in an office, spending my days in front of a computer. That’s when I began watching YouTube tutorials on hair coloring and styling, I had been doing hair for my granny and mom as well, who are both blondes.

I took small classes and assisted in salon back in Belarus, but after getting married and moving to the U.S., I realized I had an opportunity to pursue my passion for hairstyling fully. I enrolled in Paul Mitchell School in San Diego and started my education from scratch. It was challenging and stressful, but those 1.5 years were some of the best of my life. During that time, I immersed myself in additional classes, both in-person and online, focusing on blonding techniques and color theory.

Even while I was in school, I began building a clientele—booking color appointments 1-2 months in advance. I’m so grateful to my Paul Mitchell instructors, who believed in me and called me the ‘Blonde Queen’ when I graduated. I passed my licensing exam on the first attempt and started working on my own immediately, without ever assisting or working for someone else. It was a scary and risky decision, but it paid off. I built my clientele through self-advertising, creating my own brand, and promoting my work on Instagram.

Today, I have my own studio in San Diego’s Mission Valley, and I specialize in working with blondes and complex color corrections. I love taking on challenges and believe there’s nothing I can’t do when it comes to hair. My goal is to grow my business and eventually expand into a larger salon.

To anyone pursuing their passion, I’d say don’t be afraid of difficulties, take risks, and trust in yourself. Invest in education—keep learning—and success will follow!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I absolutely love San Diego—there’s so much to see and do! If I were to take my friends around, we’d start with a walk along the downtown waterfront and Seaport Village. It’s such a beautiful area with ships and yachts all around. We’d also visit Coronado Island, Liberty Station, and La Jolla Cove, where you can see plenty of sea lions.

For dining and fun, some of my favorite spots are the Lafayette Hotel and Bar, Mr. A’s Restaurant, Ketch Grill and Taps, and Jimmy’s Famous Tavern.

Instagram: hairby.katecher