Today we’d like to introduce you to Autumn Whitaker.
Hi Autumn , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi! I’m Autumn, the owner of Blends by Autumn, a private salon suite in Brea, California. I specialize in lived-in color, sew-in weft extensions, and long layered haircuts. If there’s one thing my clients and fellow stylists know me for, it’s my obsession with creating the perfect blend. Over the years I’ve earned the nickname “the Blend Queen,” and I love creating hair that grows out beautifully and helps my clients feel like the best version of themselves.
My love for beauty started long before I became a hairstylist. When I was 11 years old, I was making YouTube videos about how to grow your hair longer. In middle school I was always braiding everyone’s hair, and by high school I was the girl everyone came to for prom hair, makeup, eyebrows, and haircuts. Looking back, the signs were always there—I just didn’t realize this would become my career.
Growing up, I always pictured myself taking the traditional college route. By my senior year of high school I had enrolled in business school because I knew I wanted to own a business someday, but I wasn’t sure what that business would be. Then one day, some friends mentioned they were enrolling in cosmetology school, and it felt like a light bulb went off. I came home that day and told my dad I wanted to become a hairstylist. He immediately supported me and told me, “One day I’ll build your salon.” I’ll never forget that conversation.
I joined the waitlist at Golden West College, expecting I’d have to wait another semester, but for the first time they opened two Level One classes because of the number of applicants. Looking back, I truly believe it was perfect timing, and I started cosmetology school at just 17 years old.
I originally thought I’d pursue makeup and special event styling, but after doing my first highlight in school, I completely fell in love with hair color.
After graduating, COVID shut everything down. Instead of taking my state board exam a couple of weeks later like most graduates, I had to wait six months to become licensed. During that time, I started doing hair out of my dad’s house. My clients sat in a rolling office chair, and I’d rinse their hair in the kitchen sink. It wasn’t glamorous, but I was grateful for every client who trusted me.
Once I became licensed, I started assisting at my first salon while building my own clientele. I worked seven days a week because I loved what I was doing and was determined to grow. Just six months after getting my license, I placed in the Top 200 out of more than 40,000 entries in the One Shot Hair Awards in the balayage category. That experience gave me so much confidence and pushed me to continue investing in my education, refining my craft, and creating an experience my clients would truly love.
Five years later, I’ve had the privilege of opening my own private salon suite. It’s a space I’ve dreamed about for years—a place where clients can slow down, feel cared for, and leave not only loving their hair but feeling genuinely seen. My faith has shaped so much of this journey, and looking back, I can see God’s faithfulness in every season, even the ones that didn’t make sense at the time.
Today, I get to serve incredible women, do work I genuinely love, and continue building a business that’s rooted in excellence, intentionality, and caring for people well. I couldn’t be more grateful for where this journey has taken me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. Like many people starting a business, I experienced my share of challenges both professionally and personally.
Early in my career, I believed success meant working as much as possible. I worked seven days a week, said yes to everything, and poured every ounce of energy into growing my business. While it helped me grow quickly, it also led to burnout. A few years into my career, I found myself exhausted and questioning whether I could sustain the pace I had created.
There were personal struggles too. I walked through seasons of heartbreak, difficult friendships, and experiences that made me question my confidence and even my worth. Those things naturally spilled into my work because when you’re building a business, you don’t get to separate your personal life from your professional life as easily as people think.
The biggest turning point in my life came when I gave my life to Jesus Christ. My relationship with Him completely changed the way I viewed myself, my business, and success. Instead of finding my identity in how booked I was or how much I accomplished, I began finding my identity in Him. That shift gave me a healthier perspective on both life and work.
Today, I still work hard, but my definition of success has changed. I care deeply about creating beautiful hair, but I also care about creating a space where my clients feel safe, encouraged, and cared for. I truly believe my chair is more than a place where hair transformations happen—it’s a place where relationships are built.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change any part of the journey. Every challenge taught me resilience, strengthened my faith, and shaped the stylist and business owner I am today
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
specialize in lived-in color, sew-in weft extensions, and long layered haircuts. My passion has always been creating seamless, natural-looking hair that enhances someone’s features while growing out beautifully. I want my clients to love their hair not just the day they leave the salon, but months later.
If you asked my clients or other stylists what I’m known for, they’d probably say one word: blends. Whether it’s dimensional brunettes, bright blondes, extensions, or layering, I’m constantly chasing the most seamless transition possible. That’s actually where my business name, Blends by Autumn, came from. Over the years I’ve even been nicknamed “the Blend Queen,” which always makes me smile.
Beyond the technical side, I’m incredibly passionate about education and never settling in my craft. Since becoming licensed, I’ve invested in countless advanced classes and continue refining my techniques because I truly believe my clients deserve my very best.
What I’m most proud of, though, isn’t an award or opening my own salon suite—it’s the relationships I’ve built. Some of my clients have trusted me through engagements, weddings, career changes, motherhood, heartbreak, and so many milestones in between. Watching those relationships grow has been one of the greatest gifts of my career.
I also believe the experience is just as important as the end result. When I designed my private salon suite, my goal wasn’t simply to create a beautiful space—it was to create a place that feels peaceful, intentional, and welcoming. I want every client to feel seen, cared for, and able to slow down for a few hours.
My faith has shaped the way I approach my business. I believe the gifts we’ve been given are meant to be stewarded well, so I strive to serve every client with excellence, honesty, and genuine care. Hair is what brings people into my chair, but my hope is that they leave feeling more confident, encouraged, and loved than when they walked in.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The biggest resource in my life is, without a doubt, the Bible. My relationship with Jesus has transformed not only who I am personally but also how I approach my business. It continually reminds me that my work is about serving people well, stewarding the gifts I’ve been given, and finding my identity in something much deeper than success or achievement.
Professionally, I’m always investing in education. I love taking advanced color and extension classes because I believe there’s always something new to learn. Staying curious has helped me continue growing and refining my craft.
On the practical side, I rely on Pinterest for creative inspiration and GlossGenius to keep my business organized and create a seamless experience for my clients. But more than any app or productivity tool, I’ve learned that creating intentional rhythms—making time to rest, spend time with God, and continue learning—has had the biggest impact on both my life and my business.
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