We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad's 25 Under 50K contest for 2025, sponsored by SalonCentric.
Here, you will get to know Kristen Benstog (@kristenbenstoghair), a hairstylist, indie educator and cosmetology instructor based out of Maven Hair Studio in Riverdale, UT.
Q&A with Kristen
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Kristen Benstog (KB): I once moonwalked out of an interview… and it landed me a job as a cosmetology instructor.
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
KB: It was kind of by chance. I actually wanted to be a nurse! I got my CNA in high school and worked maybe three months and just knew that wasn’t the kind of connection or fulfillment I was looking for in my career. One of my friends always saw me mess with my own hair at home in all the wrong ways (One time, I fried my hair so bad it would crunch like Rice Krispies). She told me to try hair because she thought I’d be good at it, and I thought “what do I have to lose?” I signed up at a state based tech college and ended up truly loving it! it’s like I found the place where i belonged.
BLP: What is your proudest accomplishment/achievement in the industry so far?
KB: I’ve had a lot of proud moments! I think the ones that mean the most are when I come back to myself. In my career and personal life, those are the moments that I get joy internally and externally.
BLP: What is your current favorite hair trend?
KB: I’m love all the grungy trends right now, like the raw bleached designs, mullets and mohawks — the kind of things we’d normally view as “ugly." I don't know, but somehow we’ve made it look so good! I never thought I’d say I love a good mullet. I love how these looks are breaking beauty standards and flipping social norms with creativity!
BLP: What is a tip you have for your fellow beauty pros who are looking to grow their following on socials?
KB: Just start, and show up messy! Also, be intentional, but don’t take it too serious! Be you, and post some good hair!
BLP: What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself?
KB: You don’t need the validation you think you need! No award, follower count or brand recognition will fill the void! Your opinion of you is the most important.
BLP: What is a tip/technique that’s helped you be more efficient or successful in your services or business?
KB: In hair school, I was told to not take my art too personal, which kind of sounds crazy, but we have to remember that art is subjective and not everyone’s going to love it! The right people will love YOU and YOUR ART! The decisions they make around it aren’t about you but about them!
BLP: Who is someone you consider a mentor or role model in the industry?
KB: I’ve met so many incredible people in this industry who I consider mentors — from my friend who pushed me to try hair school in the first place to artists who saw something in me and gave me opportunities I’ll never forget — like shadowing for a weekend at Presley Poe & Friends. Some of my best friends have talked me off the edge when I wanted to quit, and now I even find mentorship in the students I get to teach. Honestly, if I started dropping names, I know I’d forget someone important. If we’ve crossed paths, you’ve probably inspired me more than you know.
BLP: What is a practice/ritual you use to care for your mental health and set boundaries between work and personal life?
KB: Honestly? Therapy. I’ve had a lot to unlearn. Therapy and the tools I've acquired from it have helped immensely.
BLP: What do you think needs to change in the industry to help beauty pros grow and thrive?
KB: The fact that states are cutting required hours to get a cosmetology license is bonkers. Since starting as an instructor in May ‘25, I’ve seen firsthand how hard it is, for both students and educators, to cram everything into such a short timeline. So much information falls through the cracks!
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
KB: My biggest career goal? To keep loving what I do and keep it profitable, so I can live a good life and set my kids up for an even better one. I love this industry. I love creating, teaching, hyping others up and continuing to build real connections along the way. But, my goals are always to pay my bills and be happy!
