When life pushed Ashleigh Scarbrough in a new direction, she didn’t just pivot—she glittered.
Now the owner of The Pink Boot Lounge inside Native Stylz Salon in Norman, Oklahoma (recently voted Best Salon in Norman by Norman.CommunityVotes.com), Ashleigh’s career journey hasn’t always been lined with sparkle and glam. But it has always been fueled by determination, reinvention, and the courage to chase a long-held dream.
Ashleigh’s studio is an unapologetic expression of her personality—floor-to-ceiling pink, glitter, and bold self-expression. “I’ve always loved the beauty world,” she says. “It’s who I am.” As a child, she played with makeup and was known for her bold style. “People would say, ‘Oh, here comes Ashleigh,’” she laughs. “I’ve always been bougie on a budget.”
But despite her passion, Ashleigh didn’t enter the beauty industry right away. Pressured to choose a “better job,” she pursued a career in healthcare, completing a CNA program and enrolling in nursing school. “It was depressing,” she recalls. “I knew it wasn’t for me.”
Eventually, she found stability working in HR for a nonprofit after-school program, where she stayed for 20 years. “The job paid well and had great benefits,” she says, “and it let me raise my daughter.” But after the organization closed during COVID-19, Ashleigh found herself asking a hard question: What now?
With a severance package and a dream that had never died, Ashleigh decided it was finally time. At 46, she enrolled in the Cosmetology program at Mid-Del Technology Center.
“I was the oldest in the class,” she says, “but I was determined. I wanted to prove to myself I could do it.” The biggest challenge? Learning how to study again—and sticking to a schedule. “I was lucky not to have to work during school, but it still wasn’t easy. I took my licensing test right away and cried with relief when I passed.”
Before graduation, Ashleigh had already secured a booth at The Guild Salon. “I had clients lined up and was mentored by other stylists. They helped me grow professionally.”
But new challenges came. Ashleigh was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which made standing for long hours difficult. Instead of giving up, she did what she’s always done—she adapted. “I had a wild and crazy idea to go back to school.”
She enrolled in Mid-Del Tech’s Cosmetology Master Instructor program. “The timing was right. I didn’t have a huge clientele, so I could step back a bit. I knew I wouldn’t use the certification right away, but I wanted it in my pocket for the future.”
The instructor program was more rigorous than expected. “It’s a full-time job. I’d work at the salon until 9 at night, then go home tired and cranky. I wanted to quit so many times.” But with support from her husband, daughter, and her own resilience, she made it. “I’m glad I listened to them instead of myself.”
Today, Ashleigh offers a full range of services—hair, nails, facials, and more. “I’m proud of what I do in this industry. Losing my HR job was tough, but it gave me the chance to pursue my dream. That was a blessing in the end.”
And the dream keeps evolving. With her Master Instructor license, Ashleigh hopes to one day teach or work in brand education. “I love hands-on training. I think it would be so fun to travel and teach at hair shows.”
Her advice to others considering a return to school?
“Life changes—you have to tweak and rearrange. It’s never too late to start again. And always underpromise and overdeliver.”
Ashleigh’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to become who you were meant to be. If you’ve been thinking about going back to school—whether to start fresh or chase a dream—Mid-Del Tech Center is ready when you are.