Ep 35: From Retail to Reinvention: Kelsey's Journey Through Beauty, Burnout, and Building Her Dream Salon
🌐 Website: https://kelseycapo.glossgenius.com/
By Sherry Sutton | Heart of the Hustle Show
Discover how Kelsey Capo went from burned-out corporate VP to bold beauty entrepreneur. Learn how her journey of reinvention, resilience, and salon ownership inspires women to simplify beauty, reclaim confidence, and build purpose-driven businesses.
From Burnout to Beauty: How Kelsey Capo Reinvented Herself and Built a Business With Heart
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your career wondering, "Is this it?" — you’re not alone. And if you’ve ever had life knock you flat on your back (literally) and still managed to come out the other side with more purpose than ever, then you’ll absolutely love this conversation I had with the powerhouse herself, Kelsey Capo.
Kelsey’s journey isn’t just inspiring — it’s a roadmap for reinvention, full of grit, grace, and a whole lot of hustle. In this blog, I’m going to take you behind the scenes of her story: from chasing MAC makeup dreams in her teens, to becoming a VP in a national men’s grooming franchise, to three spinal surgeries that forced a complete reset — and finally, to opening her own bold, beautiful salon where women walk in for hair but leave with confidence.
Red Hair, Big Energy, Bigger Purpose
When you meet Kelsey, the first thing you notice is her energy — it’s electric. She’s funny, fiery, deeply grounded, and unapologetically herself. The second thing you notice is her hair — vibrant, copper-red, and totally unforgettable. But that bold color? It’s more than a style choice. It marks the start of her reinvention.
Long before she opened her own salon, Kelsey had already lived a full career’s worth of experiences. She started young — we’re talking retail hustle at 15, begging to work the MAC counter by 18, and working her way up the cosmetics world with an intensity most people can’t sustain. That drive landed her a leadership role in the med spa world by her early 20s, where she quickly learned she had a gift for flipping struggling businesses.
"I walked into a total mess — paper charts stacked a mile high, no systems, major client issues," she told me. "And within six weeks, we were number one in the company."
The Pivot No One Sees Coming
But success has a cost — especially when it’s built on overwork, perfectionism, and never really stopping to ask if this is what you want.
At the height of her career, Kelsey was traveling constantly, managing dozens of locations across the country, and dealing with the day-to-day pressures of being a VP. But when the company sold — and then sold again — she suddenly found herself cut loose. The timing was brutal: she was already in recovery from a spinal surgery that would eventually turn into three.
"That was my rock bottom moment. I couldn’t work. I couldn’t move. I didn’t know who I was without a job title."
We don’t talk enough about the identity crisis that comes with burnout, layoffs, or forced career pivots. When your worth has always been tied to achievement, slowing down feels like failure. But for Kelsey, it was exactly the interruption she needed to finally do what she’d always been called to do.
Starting Over — This Time, For Herself
At 30-something, post-surgery and with no safety net, Kelsey enrolled in cosmetology school.
"It was humbling," she says. "I was the oldest one in my class. I had to relearn so much. But I knew it was time to build something that was mine."
She didn’t wait for permission. She didn’t wait to feel ready. She treated school like a business, showing up every day like her future depended on it — because it did. And by the time she graduated, she had already built a small client base, hustled her way through Covid, and was laying the foundation for what would become her salon suite: Cut Color Cape.
Located in Highland Village, Texas, her space is everything she is — high-energy, full of personality, and designed with intention. Think band posters, checkered prints, and playlists that set the tone for transformation.
"It’s not just about the hair," she says. "It’s about giving women a space where they feel seen, cared for, and powerful."
Creating Confidence for Real Women
One of the things I love most about Kelsey is that she gets women. She’s not here for the unrealistic beauty standards or the toxic comparison traps. Her mission is about empowerment — giving everyday women tools they can actually use.
"So many women come to me saying, ‘I never learned how to do my makeup,’ or ‘I don’t know what to do with my hair now that I’m over 40.’"
Her answer? Masterclasses.
In 2024, Kelsey is launching a series of in-person and online workshops designed to help women simplify their beauty routines. The first one is focused on women 40+ — the ones often ignored by the beauty industry but who are absolutely craving connection, education, and confidence.
"You don’t need a full glam squad. You just need someone to show you what works for you."
From underpainting techniques inspired by Scott Barnes (J.Lo’s makeup artist) to practical product recommendations for aging skin, her goal is to demystify beauty and make it accessible.
Reinvention Is Rarely Glamorous — But It’s Always Worth It
What struck me most in this conversation was how honest Kelsey is about the messy middle. She doesn’t sugarcoat the fear, the tears, or the days spent wondering if she made a massive mistake. She shares openly about faith, about wrestling with control, and about how long it took to release the old narrative of success.
"I kept asking God for direction, and finally it was like — you’ve already got what you need. You just have to stop being scared to use it."
There’s a lesson here for all of us: your past doesn’t have to define you. You don’t need to wait for a perfect moment. Reinvention is allowed — even encouraged — especially when it’s rooted in purpose.
What You’ll Learn From Kelsey’s Story
If you’re building something new, stepping out of burnout, or trying to reclaim your confidence, there are so many takeaways in this episode:
It’s never too late to start over — you’re not behind, you’re building differently.
Your energy matters more than any title ever could.
Beauty isn’t shallow — it’s a powerful tool for embodiment and empowerment.
Systems and strategy can turn creative chaos into sustainable business.
Community is everything — whether you’re in a chair, on a Zoom call, or just showing up for yourself.
Want to Work With Kelsey?
If you’re local to Highland Village or anywhere in DFW, book a session at Cut Color Cape. You’ll walk in for highlights and leave feeling like you can take on the world.
You can also follow her on Instagram @cutcolorcape to get updates on upcoming masterclasses, beauty tips, and behind-the-scenes realness.
Want a Month of Content From One Conversation?
If Kelsey’s story lit something up in you — and you’re thinking, “I have a story too” — then let’s get it out into the world. Be a guest on Heart of the Hustle and walk away with:
A full podcast episode professionally produced
Reels, captions, and social media assets
A long-form blog post (like this!) that tells your story with strategy
✨ No guesswork. Just one hour with me, and your content is done.
Apply now at heartofthehustle.com or DM me on Instagram @heartofthehustleshow.
Kelsey’s story is a reminder that reinvention doesn’t require perfection — just the courage to begin.
If you’re in that messy middle right now, trust me: you’re not alone. And you’re closer than you think.
