Owner and master stylist at Williamsburg, Virginia-based Drew Inge Hair Studio, Drew Inge dove into the hair industry at 12 years old. “I remember my littler sister getting her hair done and my mom complaining because it was too expensive,” says Inge. “My family didn't have a lot of money, so the next time my sister needed her hair done, I picked up a curling iron and replicated what the salon did with no training.”
Throughout his high school career, the TikTok ninja practiced updos on all of his friends and sisters’ friends for every school dance—even if it meant he was late for his own prom. After attending hair school in 2010, Inge went from booth renting to owning his own business. “I had an extremely successful start to my career with solid booked days,” he says. “On Christmas Day in 2016, it all came crashing down. I was the victim of a hate crime when a man held me hostage for hours. Afterwards, I tried to hold my business together, but struggled mentally for years with PTSD and crippling anxiety. In 2020, I knew I needed to make some serious changes in my life and career. In the midst of a pandemic, I decided, with almost no funding, to go my own way. I made a terrifying call, opened my own suite within two days and everything changed for me.”
Inge restructured his pricing, became a GlossGenius ambassador, talked with some of the leading industry professionals and shared his story of survival with his social following of 17K. As the sole professional in his area who provides session pricing, Inge enjoys providing clients the ability to go a few months between appointments instead of the industry standard: six weeks. Well versed in TikTok, Inge says he enjoys providing comedic relief for the hair community. “I’ve always had a lot to say and a great sense of humor, but never felt I could convey it. My videos have given me an opportunity that I didn’t think possible before,” he says. “In the future, I want to spread my knowledge of smart business practices, as well as color and bridal styling through the Beauty Launchpad Education Team.”
