At the cost of being vulnerable , This is the long Story

The Evolution of Aurora: Decades behind the Chair

I’ve officially entered the phase of life where the greys are starting to win the war against the dark hairs. Honestly? Not sure how I feel about it . There’s a specific kind of confidence that only comes with time and perseverance. It’s that feeling of finally outgrowing the "fake it 'til you make it" stage and actually owning your future.

I’ve also finally learned that you can be an absolute nerd for your craft and still be casual enough to grab a beer with.

The Roots

I’ve been doing hair for 21 years, and Albany has been my home base the entire time. I spent a decade living on Lark Street and another eight years tucked near the Palace Theatre. But the real anchor has been 41 State Street. For 21 years, I called the Michael DeNardis Salon home. That shop has been a staple of Downtown Albany for over two decades now.

I started there as an assistant, eventually becoming a stylist under Michael’s guidance. That was when I really started to grasp what it meant to give my future to a craft. There is nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishment you get when you go home at night, knowing you let your clients be heard and made them feel beautiful.

The Plateau (and the "What Was I Thinking?" Phase)

Then, I hit a wall. Life became a routine of the same cuts, the same colors, and the same downtown vibe. I was starting to go a bit stir-crazy. My saving grace was a steady, peaceful salon life with unbelievable clients and mentors, but I needed a spark.

In 2015, I decided to start my journey as an educator for the international hair color company, Schwarzkopf Professional. I had used their color for over 20 years, so I figured, "Why not?" Why not work 40 plus hours a week, try to keep a relationship, buy a house, and expand my craft all at once?

What could possibly go wrong?!

I worked my butt off and juggled everything as best I could. Step by step, I became inspired and motivated, and suddenly, I was an educator. Over the next few years, I traveled and taught up and down the East Coast. From New York to Georgia, I got the privilege of working in some unbelievable salons.

Year after year, this was my life. I was driving to Monday seminars or flying south on Sundays. Airports became familiar places. I had the same backpack, comfy sweats, and a traveling projector screen in hand. I collected hotel points, airline miles, and 18 dollar airport pints of IPA. I never stopped salon work, never canceled an appointment, and never slowed down.

The Cost of the Hustle

Since my 20s, I’ve always had two quotes running through my head: "Be careful what you ask for" and "Success comes with a cost." By this point in my life, I started understanding both.

This is a very intimate profession. There is an emotional cost that comes with every client. Every tough story, good or bad, follows you home even when you don't realize it. Between the salon and the travel, my personal life became a series of tasks and transactions that needed to be satisfied. Everything had to fit into a time slot, but I still wasn't owning my own time.

The hustle eventually took a toll. I found myself single and spent most of my energy just trying to triage the relationships with the people closest to me. Keeping up that pace leaves no room to get close to anyone new. Old friends still existed, but we grew apart. I missed my old Lark Street days, yet I still continued to bartend two Saturday nights a month. Why not stay as busy as possible, right? Was I killing time, or was I actually working towards something?

Full Circle: Aurora Studio

If you’re still reading, congrats for making it this far! After working endlessly and gaining so many new relationships through my clients, I began evaluating all the phases that brought me here. I realized that life and work truly need a balance. Maybe those dopamine hits I got from my craft still had to be balanced with an actual life outside the chair.

That’s when I decided to open Aurora Studio in the location of my previous home, The Michael DeNardis Salon.

In mid-2025, I started making my changes. This location may be small, but I hope it becomes a hub in this growing neighborhood for the next few decades. Now, with a space of my own and a fuzzy but solid direction, I plan on growing with others. I want to find the time to socialize with downtown again and, just maybe, pass along some of the knowledge I’ve accrued over these years in the industry.

I finally understand that time can’t be left to go on its own. Choices need to be made, and decisions require follow-through. Time is short, and it doesn't slow down just because you aren't ready. You have to bite the bullet and push through. Success is really just what happens when your decisions finally meet your expectations.

With so many businesses coming and going downtown, I CHOOSE to stay.