Meet Alex Shoemaker | Hair Stylist & Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Shoemaker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, what principle do you value most?
My life’s journey is to positively impact everyone I encounter, advocating for those who can’t advocate for themselves. Learning and teaching how to be a good fellow human by self reflection, growth, and the ability to be humble and have humility. Giving back to the community by inspiring those around me to change the way the world thinks. Being a person who is always kind and understanding, inspirational, and giving, someone who you could always trust and turn to no matter what. Providing a safe space for those people who need it no matter what role I take on.

Humans are such complex creatures that just want to be heard, understood, and accepted for who they are. Everyone’s journey is unique and you never know what experience they have had that has led them to where they are in the now. Having compassion and being supportive is affirmation that you aren’t alone in the world.

What should our readers know about your business?
As a trans non-binary human my mission is to create a safe space for the LGBTQA community through personal care and wellness for anyone who sits in my chair, there is nothing more fulfilling than creating looks to help individuals be their most authentic selves.

I have been doing hair for 16 years and in 2015 I transitioned into being an independent contractor. Working my way up from a commission stylist to chair renter then into a salon suite renter and I just recently took ownership to a three chair salon. I would say the thing I am most proud of is the confidence and perseverance that I have built over the past ten years after experiencing a mental health crisis that upturned my life in my twenties. I never believed I could overcome a mental illness to the point of becoming a leader, let alone a salon leader. Overcoming the challenges of being queer, neurodivergent, and having chemical imbalances have been considerably difficult. I am always learning new ways to overcome these challenges with new coping mechanisms and a healthy lifestyle. I would say the most impactful lesson has been to be transparent with others of my struggles and letting go of the shame of not having a “typical” brain. However these challenges have also developed my strengths and aid my compassion towards others. I am an empath by nature and I am able to connect with anyone I meet. The ability to relate with the people I encounter in my business creates deep meaningful connections that I truly value. Everyone deserves space in the world and the LGBTQA community has far fewer spaces which is why it is my mission to provide that space with a warm embrace because “I see you”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First stop would be Copper Star Coffee! The owner Bill has developed a culture in his business that also embraces diversity and holds a special place in my heart. Next stop would be FEZ for delicious burgers and fries and wonderful staff. For desert we are hitting up Novel ice cream for a fresh warm donut ice cream sandwich, to die for. There are so many cool places to visit like Jerome a historic mining town, Sedona with it’s energetic vortexes to experience spiritual healing and manifestations, and Flagstaff for it’s laid back culture and great shopping. Getting out in nature and experiencing the vast beauty of the different landscapes that Arizona has to offer would definitely be on the list. As far as most exciting and interesting I am taking them to watch me and my team the Coffin Draggers compete for the Arizona Derby Dames banked track roller derby! It’s a highly competitive, fast paced, full body contact sport whose community has been the most supportive, empowering, inspiring, and accepting group of humans I have ever encountered. I owe a lot of my personal growth to the Derby Dames. I am co-captain of my team and a manager of the league now.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Arizona Derby Dames

Website: https://shearalchemysalon.wixsite.com/my-site/home

Instagram: @shearalchemysalon