Courtney Bradberry’s stylist skills inspire intense loyalty from her clients. So intense that one time, a client went straight to Courtney’s chair after being released from jail. He didn’t even go home to change his clothes first.
“My client came in sweating, and I was like, ‘What’s wrong?’” Courtney recalls. “He said, ‘I just came straight from Orleans Parish Prison because I didn’t want to miss my appointment.’ He’d gotten drunk the night before and went to jail. He came over in a cab, still in his work clothes from the night before.”
Courtney styles a model’s hair at the Elevate show at the Ace Hotel in 2016. | Source: Courtney Bradberry
That special client-stylist bond
That client gets his hair cut every three weeks and never misses an appointment. If it seems like he and Courtney have a special rapport, that’s because they do. But it’s not unique to their relationship. Courtney is always genuine with every client—and by being true to herself, she creates an environment where clients feel comfortable being themselves, too.
“I’m 100 percent myself with every client,” she says. “I don’t push anything. It’s about whatever people need in the moment—that’s what you should give and recommend. A lot of people forget we’re in the service industry, here to make clients look and feel good. It’s not about ego.”
How Courtney found her calling
Courtney says that for stylists, remembering why they got into the business in the first place is the most important part of the job. For Courtney, the desire to join Paris Parker started when she was a teenager getting her hair done at Paris Parker Prytania. Her cousin worked with us as a makeup artist, and Courtney loved what she saw of the salon environment.
“I was like, ‘This is where I want to work,’” Courtney says. “I remember my cousin talking about how Neill Corporation was her family, and that’s how it is with me. The Neills are like my family.”
Courtney says the Neills, who own Paris Parker, have challenged her to grow, learn and expand her horizons. “They always give you opportunities to better yourself and move forward,” she says. “I wouldn’t have gotten that if I hadn’t worked here. Every year, I am constantly moving up.”
Courtney doing hair backstage for New York Fashion Week. | Source: Courtney Bradberry
“They support me in everything I do.”
Courtney has worked with Paris Parker for 10 years. She currently works behind the chair and also teaches styling and updo classes as part of the education team. While Courtney travels the country teaching classes, she also has a passionate desire to learn. “I took as many classes this year as I did when I first started out,” she says. “I even got the opportunity to go to IBS (the International Beauty Show) in New York. The company has supported me in everything I’ve wanted to do.”
Courtney’s ambition, genuine, selfless nature and lifelong commitment to education are the same values every member of our Paris Parker team strives for. From Courtney, we’ve learned the power of investing in people: Courtney put her time, money and hard work into her craft—and it shows.
