Do you like people? All types of people? People from every single walk of life are going to sit in your chair, and in order to be successful as a hairdresser you have to like them and know how to work with them. 

Are you a creative, artistic person? Anyone can go to school to learn how to cut hair, and most of you can go to school, finish and pass your state test to become a licensed cosmetologist. This is not going to make you a successful hairdresser. The type of talent you need to do well and to become a great hairstylist is not taught in school. It is truly an art and you have to have some amount of inner artist to be able to do well. 

Are you willing to put the work in? This is a great job, but it is hard work - physical and mental work. Most hairdressers work very hard with no paid vacation time, no health insurance or any other benefits given to them. It is going to take you years to build a clientele, and then you have to maintain those clients and adjust where you lose some.  

There are many more rewards to my job than negatives, but that is because I love this job and I am fully aware of all that it takes. If you or someone you know is considering this career, please share this with them, and consider whether you have what is needed to be a successful hairstylist.