How She Did It: Christina Butcher, Hair Romance
I’m honored to be sharing this amazing interview with you today with the wonderful Christina Butcher, aka author, photographer, and blogger behind Hair Romance.
I’ve known Christina since our early blogging days and I’m super inspired by her incredible journey and now she’s navigated the various seasons of her creative career - I know you’re going to love her story!
First things first, what was your big dream, and what inspired you to go after it?
Years ago I dreamed of being a photographer and publishing my work in books. I also wanted to have my own business and make money in my sleep.
Even now, I’m sometimes a bit scared to define my dreams. It’s ok to not know exactly what you want. Now I can throw a random idea out there and go for it but I’m really a slow burn on the details. And I’m still creating new dreams every week.
For my big dream, it took a huge life change for me to take my chance.
My beloved dad had cancer and losing him rocked my world. I was so unhappy. I couldn’t keep going with the way things were and I had nothing to lose by taking a chance on a creative career. With a push from my sister, I took the leap.
What was one of the first things you did to get you started?
It started with a list! Like most procrastinators, I wrote down a list of things that I wanted to do (plus a few I’d already done so I could cross them off - haha!)
I didn’t know any photographers except my wedding photographer but I asked if I could shadow him one day. He let me tag along as a 3rd shooter at a wedding.
I found out I didn’t want to be a wedding photographer but he taught me so much about business. Photography is so much more than just the picture.
What were the biggest challenges you faced in working toward making your dream a reality?
My own self doubt has been the biggest challenge. But the support of my family and my partner has been the confidence I needed when I didn’t have my own. They are my hype team.
I did a lot of work for free while I was learning too. That can be frustrating but it has taught me about always having multiple sources of income.
What helped you take action, make progress and achieve it?
If I’m honest, I got sick of feeling stuck and that helped me get out of my own way.
As a recovering perfectionist, the secret is to get too tired/busy to care. Dropping my standards of “perfect” and just doing the work.
I became ok with publishing things I wasn’t 100% happy with because I learned that I’m never 100% happy at the time. I’m just a harsh critic of my own work and things are fine as they are.
Is there anything you wished you would have done differently?
Started earlier! But that’s never possible. So to share something that will help anyone reading this, ask for help. And let other people help you. You have wider networks than you realise and even if it’s not exactly the right connection (eg. wedding photography), you can learn. Plus you get things done so much easier with help.
What does life look (and feel) like now that you’re living in alignment with your true self?
I truly love my life. I wake up happy and feel so grateful for what I have. I’m incredibly glad I took a chance on myself years ago.
I also still feel like a work-in-progress, but maybe that’s a part of my true self? I love learning and the perspective of being a beginner at something helps my creative work.
Do you ever have creative blocks and, if so, how do you overcome them?
I feel like I’m coming out of a really long period of creative blockage - especially around my business. It was tough, and I thought about closing/changing my business but there was something that told me that it wasn’t time yet.
To get through it, I gave myself space. I made time for creative hobbies and tried to create without an agenda. It worked.
I finally feel like I’m back with a renewed energy to do what needs to be done.
Career highlight so far?
I am a published author and my book, Braids, Buns & Twists is a New York Times bestseller and was translated into 12 languages.
But I’m prouder of being a self-published author and for creating a business out of nothing. Being able to help my husband leave teaching and become a writer is also a joy. I love that we work together now.
Running a creative business can be draining at times. How do you find balance and practice self-care?
I don’t think I was good at balance before. I was convinced I was the most creative at night because that was the only time I had to work when I was building it. I hate routine and thought I thrived in chaos.
But that is so destructive for everyone around me and eventually for me too. Now I understand that routine helps me be creative. And so I schedule creative days and block out time for it.
I also have recently taken up Japanese Jujitsu and I’ve never been so obsessed with a sport. I love the control and discipline of martial arts. I incorporate this with my work too.
What’s the best advice you have for others who want to follow their big dreams?
DO IT! Life is too short.
Losing my dad to cancer was the impetus for me to re-evaluate my career and choose to go for it. You don’t have to wait for something like that. You can change your life today.
Do you have anything exciting coming in 2023 to share?
I haven’t felt this excited about a year in a long time! I’m excited to bring back regular blogging, fun videos and I’m working on a secret squirrel project…!
Favorite quote:
Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.
Favorite book:
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
Biggest inspiration:
I’m inspired by people who find their passion later in life, and who never stop learning.
My friend, Jilly, only picked up a camera at 70. She reminds me that it’s never too late.
About Christina:
Christina Butcher is the hair behind Hair Romance, one of the world’s leading beauty sites, where she writes about getting the most out of your hair in the least amount of time. She’s a master of braids, buns & twists so you rarely see her wearing her hair the same way twice.
She started Hair Romance to help other women to love their hair, and is now a New York Times’ bestselling author, with her book now available in over 16 countries. She has been featured in the likes of Vogue, ELLE and Cosmopolitan magazines to mention a few.
Alongside her husband Jim, she runs Mr & Mrs Romance, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
When she’s not peering through her camera lens, you’ll find her scouting for the highest lookout points or the best rooftop bars.
