Meet Sam Kane: Beauty Launchpad 30 Over 30 Winner for 2024

We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad’s 30 Over 30 contest, sponsored by Denman Brush.

Get to know Sam Kane (@samkanehair). She is a lead cutting stylist and owner of Blackroom Salon in Boston, MA.

Q&A:

Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you? 

Sam Kane (SK): I got into a snowball fight with the lead singer of Papa Roach after a concert once. 

BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?

SK: I had my mind made up in 8th grade to get myself to cosmetology school, so for my senior year, I interned at my local hair salon to get my feet wet in the industry 

BLP: What is your proudest achievement in the industry thus far? 

SK: Opening a salon that stands out from the crowd, laid back, not toxic and truly feels like a  team. They are the best group of folks any owner could ask for. 

BLP: What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself just starting out in the industry, looking back on your whole career? 

SK: You actually do not have to work in a toxic work environment! There are good salons that take care of their staff, so don’t settle for the old school salon mentality. 

BLP: What is your current favorite hair trend? 

SK: Bobs all day. They never go out of style and keep coming back and reinventing themselves decade after decade.

BLP: What is a valuable hair tip that you want to share with your fellow stylists (whether it’s a business tip or something related to styling/working with hair)? 

SK: Be honest!!!! If you can manage that to the fullest extent, you will have a successful career. 

BLP: What inspires your work? 

SK: My clients, honestly – getting them to finally love their hair when they haven’t been able to find anyone who “gets it.” 

BLP: What is something that keeps you passionate and motivated in the industry each day? 

SK: Continuing on being a good role model for my team. Bad behavior in a salon usually trickles down from the top, so I’m always trying to lead by example and set them up for longevity in this career.

BLP: What changes would you like to see the industry make in order to grow/change/evolve/be better than it was before? 

SK: More education in hair school for tight curly hair. Most of us leave without any understanding of coily hair types, and that isolates an entire community of people and isn’t inclusive. Also, I would love to end the separation between barbering and cosmetology. Both of those skills should be learned by anyone going into the hair industry. 

BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself? 

SK: To grow my team and educate those who haven’t been able to get a strong cutting education after hair school. Since I’ve only cut hair professionally behind the chair, I would love to open an exclusive haircutting-only boutique salon someday. 

To see the full list of winners, read Beauty Launchpad's May/June issue.