Aces of Trades: Kallie Clossman uses hair, makeup to make clients' beauty shine
NEWARK – Kallie Clossman has known what she wanted since she was a little girl.
“As a kid growing up, I loved to play dress-up in my older sister’s, mother’s and mamaw’s accessories and makeup," she said. "I loved all of the girly-girl things. I never grew out of it, so to speak.”
Today, Clossman is an advanced cosmetologist and owner of KalClo Designs Hair & MakeUp Studio, 100 W. Locust St., in downtown Newark.
“I first knew I had an interest in cosmetology when I was in preschool," said Clossman, a hair stylist and make-up artist for both men and women of all ages. “I got in trouble for cutting mine and a friend’s hair one time. I think what prompted my interest in all things hair and make-up was growing up seeing my mom and her mom, my mamaw, wake up and put herself together every day. My mamaw was always so beautifully put together, head to toe. She was total elegance and such an inspiration to me."
Clossman grew up in Newark and attended Newark High School. She graduated from the Career And Technology Education Centers of Licking County, where she took cosmetology.
“I received my advanced cosmetology license and high school diploma within just a couple weeks of another,” she said. “C-TEC is such a blessing for students like I was, students who already know what they want out of life early on. It’s able to give them an amazing head start to their chosen career path.”
Clossman got her feet wet at a corporate salon, but she already was planning for her future.
"I had a really amazing boss and team of girls I worked with, but ultimately, I knew I wanted more," she said. "Shortly after a trip to the Chicago Hair Show in 2015, I was inspired to shoot my shot. I saw so many new things I wanted to try. I then went on to be an independent contractor and rented out a booth from an amazing salon in Hebron, giving me the confidence to take it another step further a few years later.”
Clossman started her business in spring 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When salons were allowed to reopen in mid-May 2020, I couldn’t have been happier to welcome my guests to my very own space, like we had talked and dreamt of for so long," she said.
Amanda Reynolds is the special events coordinator at The Trout Club and a client of Clossman's.
“Kallie is amazing at her art,” Reynolds said. “She keeps my hair healthy and fresh and really listens to what you want and offers knowledgeable recommendations centered on you.”
That personal touch is what Clossman is providing in her hometown.
“I absolutely love what I do,” she said. “I help people bring their inner beauty to the outside, feeling more confident in their own skin. Making someone feel beautiful gives my heart so much joy it’s hard to put into words. They have become more like family to me over the years and I am so grateful to have such a fulfilling career path."
Clossman gave herself a chance to live out her dream, and she has been rewarded for it.
“Looking back, I am so grateful with where God has led me," Clossman said. "I think I doubted and questioned myself a little too long before taking the leap of faith. But with lots and lots of hard work, planning, prayer and support from my family, friends and clients, my dream is blossoming more and more before my eyes.”
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs — whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at advocate@newarkadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark Aces of Trades: Kallie Clossman owns hair, makeup studio
