Today we’d like to introduce you to Cati Bishop.
Cati, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Cati, and my journey into cosmetology started almost by accident.
My older sister, Megan, enrolled in cosmetology during high school and placed second in a competition. Naturally, my competitive side kicked in. I enrolled the following year determined to beat her—and I did, taking first place. Even then, I had no plans of making hair my career. I wasn’t even sure I’d take my licensing exam.
Then one conversation changed everything.
My instructor, Selina Ratliff, saw something in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself. Before state boards she told me, “Cati, you’ve got something here. If you pass on your first attempt, I’ll pay for your license.” Challenge accepted. I passed, earned my license, and figured I’d do hair through college because it paid better than retail.
I never looked back.
College wasn’t where I was meant to be. I learned quickly that my classroom was behind the chair, not behind a desk. At nineteen, I moved to South Boston, Virginia, chasing opportunity, but after working in four different salons in a single year, I realized I hadn’t found the right fit—or the right version of myself. I moved back to Christiansburg, where my dad welcomed me home while I rebuilt.
Over the next several years, I found incredible mentors and salons that helped shape me into the stylist and educator I am today. I genuinely believed I had found my forever salon and never imagined owning one of my own.
Then, overnight, everything changed.
After years of building a loyal clientele and maintaining a schedule booked months in advance, I unexpectedly lost my job. One day I was a top-producing stylist, and the next I had no salon, no way to contact my clients, and no idea what came next. I had just purchased a home, bought a car, and had every reason to panic.
Instead, I decided to bet on myself.
Within five business days, I found a space, renovated it, spent the last $3,000 I had on rent, licensing, inventory, and equipment, and opened Hairapy.
The salon started with one styling chair, one mirror, one shampoo bowl, a handful of color bowls, and a dream that was much bigger than the room itself.
The first year tested me in every way. I worked twelve-hour days, six days a week, while also traveling as a Davines educator. Financially, emotionally, and physically, it was exhausting.
Through it all, my mom was my greatest supporter. She answered every phone call, prayed with me through every obstacle, celebrated every win, and reminded me why I started. She believed in Hairapy just as much as I did. We even dreamed about the day she would become our receptionist.
Just as the business was beginning to find its footing, she unexpectedly became ill and passed away.
Losing her was the hardest season of my life. Once again, I found myself starting over—but this time emotionally. During that season, something incredible happened. The community we had poured into showed up for us. Clients, friends, and neighbors organized a fundraiser that covered my mother’s funeral expenses.
That experience forever changed my definition of success.
Hairapy was never meant to be just another salon. It became a place built on community, inclusivity, compassion, and genuine care because those are the very things that carried me through the hardest moments of my life.
Today, Hairapy is more than a business. It’s proof that resilience, integrity, and people matter. Every stylist who joins my team is someone I hope to encourage the way my instructors, mentors, family, and community encouraged me. My goal is to create a place where both guests and professionals feel seen, valued, and inspired.
When people ask how Hairapy became what it is today, the answer is simple: I didn’t build it alone. It exists because so many people believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
And I truly believe we’re only getting started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? Absolutely not.
There were many long nights, early mornings (thank goodness I’m an early bird), and yes—panic attacks. Betting on yourself is not for the faint of heart. Building something from the ground up requires a level of faith, grit, and resilience that people don’t always see from the outside.
I don’t believe in sugarcoating the journey it takes to create something meaningful. And honestly, what even is “success”? I think that definition changes as we grow.
But I say this all the time: “Would I choose it again? Maybe not the way it happened… but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Every challenge, every setback, and every late night has shaped me into the person and business owner I am today—and I’m incredibly grateful for the journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
HAIR!
To elaborate, I offer hair color, cuts, waxing, extensions, and headspa services. But Hairapy has grown into so much more than a one-woman show.
Today, I’m surrounded by an incredible team of beauty professionals who are passionate about creating customized experiences for every guest. Together, we offer services I don’t personally provide, including luxury barbering, lash services, facials, curly cuts, and so much more. My team inspires me every day, and watching them grow in their craft pushes me to continue growing alongside them.
I’m also a Davines Regional Master Educator. In a nutshell, I travel to Davines concept salons to educate other beauty professionals on Davines’ products, the science behind them, how to achieve the best results, and current hair trends. Education has always been a huge part of my career, and I love being able to pour into other professionals the same way others have poured into me.
Beyond the salon, Hairapy is deeply rooted in community. We believe beauty services can be a way to create connection, confidence, and support. Through projects like our Back-to-School Haircut Events, we’re able to provide free services and resources to families in our community, helping children walk into a new school year feeling confident and cared for.
We also love creating opportunities that bring people together, like Puppy Yoga! Hairapy has sponsored this event in partnership with a local animal rescue and yoga studio, combining self-care, community connection, and giving back while encouraging families to support local rescues through donations and adoption.
At the end of the day, Hairapy is about more than hair—it’s about people.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that surprises people about me is how structured and intentional I am. I’m often underestimated because I have a softhearted, fun-loving spirit, but behind the scenes, everything has a purpose. Nothing is haphazard.
I plan, prepare, and think through every detail (sometimes until I give myself a headache!). If I’m going to do something, I want it done to the best of my ability. I’m a little bit of a perfectionist and I like having a plan and creating structure, but I think that balance is what makes me who I am. I can be both detail-oriented and laidback.
Pricing:
- Haircut $50
- Highlight starting $165
- Headspa $80+
- Facial $95
- Lashes $110+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Bishopbrandingllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairapy_christiansburg
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FGCRPhkZw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/hairapy-christiansburg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hairapy_christiansburg
