In the Chair With the Thanx Vibe Tribe: Molly

Thanx is blessed with an awesome team of friendly, talented, and creative stylists. Over the next few months I’ll be chatting with each member of the vibe tribe so you can get to know them better. First up is Molly.

Why did you decide to become a stylist?

I’m very practical, and I knew college wasn’t for me. I didn't want to spend lots of time and money on school when I didn't know what I wanted to do or if I would like it. I once thought I was gonna be a dolphin trainer until I learned I hated biology. I wanted a career where I could grow and make good money without a four year degree and 100k in debt.

My mom was a hairdresser so I grew up around the beauty industry. I’d also done theater in high school and thought it might be fun to work with wigs. Becoming a stylist seemed like a natural fit.

Why did you choose Thanx?

I’d been in several shows with Diane’s daughter, Andrea. Di helped do hair backstage, so I got to know her before I ever thought about doing hair myself.

Once I decided to become a stylist I started thinking about where I wanted to work. I knew I didn’t want a big salon, especially starting out, because I didn’t want to be just a number or feel weird asking for help. I wanted a small, friendly salon that could give me a good foundation to build my career, and Thanx fit the bill perfectly. I’ll be here for nine years as of February 2nd.

What do you like most about working at Thanx?

Definitely the people. All the stylists get along really well. I’ve been here the longest (besides Di) so I’ve seen the team grow and change. Lilly and I have worked together for years and get along great. We laugh and get along with new folks too. It’s a nice environment. My clients are also fantastic and I enjoy catching up with them every time they come in.

What do you bring to the team?

I’d say personality, knowledge, and a willingness to help. I want new stylists to feel like they can always come to me. That was something I was really looking for in my first salon, and I found it at Thanx. When I first started off all the senior stylists always took time to help me when I had a question even if they were busy. If I needed help formulating a color they would all stop to assist. If I was confused or just needed a sounding board I could run anything by them and they’d pause, listen, and give advice or tell me I was on the right track. If I was struggling to explain something to a client they would jump in and help. Now that I’m the senior stylist, I always try to bring that attitude to work and pay it forward with the newer stylists. Not to say that I know it all–I still sometimes ask for help from Di, and Lilly and I often talk through things. No matter how much experience you have, It’s so much less stressful to be able to bounce ideas off someone instead of thinking you have to figure out everything on your own. I always want the others to feel like they can do that with me.

What do you like to do outside the salon?

Travel and theater are my two great loves. 

Don't tempt me with travel because I will go down a rabbit hole and plan the entire trip before you agree to it. Just last night I was looking at AirBNBs for a long weekend in Miami. Some friends offhandedly mentioned they wanted to see the Phillies game there. My two sports are baseball and Formula 1, and there’s also a Formula 1 race there that weekend, so I knew I had to go. I immediately started planning. Now my friends aren’t even going but my parents and brother are coming along. I love PA as my homebase and don’t have an itch to move or live anywhere else, but I’m happiest when I have a trip booked. I enjoy the planning process too. I will go literally anywhere. I may go to Budapest, Vienna, and Prague this September.

I’ve also been doing theater for 16 or 17 years and have had countless lead and supporting roles. It’s my outlet. I do have to be choosy about which shows I do because I normally work nights and weekends, but I try to pick one or two shows a year. I’ll be in Legally Blonde in March with the First Street Players in Birdsboro. This is the first time I’ve had solo parts in a song, so that’s new for me, but it’s going to be a fun show.

What are your favorite services to offer and why?

I like longer haircuts. Lots of people who come to me who like their long hair are nervous about it because they've been burned by other stylists who say they're only going to take a little bit and then take four inches. I like building their trust in me and proving that I can do as they ask and give them a haircut they love that only takes off what needs to go to improve the health of their hair.

I also love doing heavy highlights because they’re very methodical.

And I always like to see my good and faithful clients for whatever they need.

What kind of new clients are you looking for?

For me, the right fit is more about personality versus the services someone needs. I prefer clients who see me as more than a means to an end and think of our time together as hanging out with a friend for an hour of two–while still keeping it professional, of course. I want my clients to look forward to time in my chair so they can fill me in on something that happened to them or hear about my latest trip. I also want them to trust my advice and be open to my suggestions, but I know it can take time to build that relationship. I’m extremely grateful to people I’ve seen for years who still come to me even when their circumstances change. Being able to enjoy spending time with other people is the most fun part of my job, so I’m looking for clients who share that philosophy. 

Book an Appointment With Molly Today

If you think Molly might be the stylist for you, you can book a hair or nail appointment online or over the phone at 610-779-1900. You can see some of her work at @molly_obrien_hair.

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This post was written by Amy Miller, freelance writer and Thanx superfan. You can find out more about her writing services and her personal journey at her blog: A Novelist’s Guide to Rewriting Your Life.