How I Went From a Salon in Ireland to NYC’s A-List

As a young kid in Ireland, I didn’t grow up thinking I’d move to New York and become a celebrity hairstylist. Yet, that’s where I’ve ended up — in a dream career that started when I was 15 and decided I wanted to do hair for a living.

I’d started working in my mother’s salon that summer. Watching her work, seeing the atmosphere in the salon and how good people felt when they left, I thought: you get to do this as a job?

When the school year came around, I made the decision not to go back, but rather to focus on getting qualified as a hairstylist as quickly as possible, rather than waiting until I was 18 or 19.

I enrolled in a salon academy in Ireland and qualified within 18 months. After that, I stayed on and assisted the salon owner, working with his clients, helping out on high-profile jobs, and getting involved in competitions. That gave me a real foundation early on.

Learning What “Prestige Hairdressing” Means

At 18, I moved to London and trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy. That was the first time I really understood what high-level hairdressing looked like. Precision, discipline, and a standard that didn’t bend.

Life in London.

After a couple years, I moved into TV and film work and ended up traveling across Europe, living in places like Paris, Rome, and Malta. I was working with incredibly talented crews, designing looks, breaking down scripts, and really understanding hair at a deeper level.

You reach a point where you either stay comfortable or you push yourself into something bigger. I realized if I wanted to keep building my career, I needed to be at the epicenter of opportunity in the industry.

For me, New York represented that next level, both creatively and professionally.

Marc Ballance on the set of “Count of Monte Cristo” with actor Sam Claflin

New York always felt different. Not just a bigger market, but a harder one. Over time, it became clear that if I wanted to see how far I could go in this industry, I needed to put myself in that environment.

But deciding to move to New York and actually making it happen are two very different things.

When the Dream Meets the Reality

The biggest barrier wasn’t talent; it was logistics. To work in the U.S. I had to apply for an O-1 visa, which is reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field. 

The grind behind the chair.

That process forces you to look at your career in a unique way. Everything has to be proven. Press, client work, industry recognition, contributions to your field: it’s not enough just to be good. You have to be documented.

At that point, I had established a reputable career across Dublin, London, and around Europe — but translating that into something that meets U.S. immigration standards was a challenge.

I was fortunate by then to have known the great John Barrett, who was not only one of the most renowned celebrity hairstylists in the industry, but who had also built an iconic salon in New York. Being Irish as well, there was a natural connection, and he saw something in me early on and agreed to sponsor my visa.

Growing clientele in New York.

Sadly, just a few weeks before I was due to move in 2023, John passed away.

I still came to New York, and his amazing salon team welcomed me in. At that point, it was more than a new chapter: it was a new beginning. I had to start all over again, and spent my first eight months there building from scratch.

I had no clients, no real network, living on an assistant salary in one of the most expensive cities in the world. And New York doesn’t really care what you’ve done somewhere else. That was the biggest adjustment. 

Salon chairs start giving way to film and theater sets.

Back to the Beginning in NYC

In Europe I had a strong professional reputation. In New York I had to rebuild it, client by client.

I did that through small, consistent decisions. Treating every client like they were the most important person in the room. Focusing on results that actually work in real life, not just on camera. 

The consultation became everything for me. Most stylists focus on the haircut itself, but the haircut is just the outcome. The real work is understanding what the client actually wants, identifying what will suit them long term, and solving problems before you even pick up scissors.

Celebrity Stylist Marc Ballance at work

That’s what builds retention and a full book.

The shift to higher-level work came gradually over time. I aligned with IGK Salons, who became my second sponsor and gave me a strong platform to build from. A busy environment, great teams, and more opportunities. But even with all that in place, nothing is guaranteed.

There were a couple key moments that turned the tide my way. One was cutting Nick Jonas for the Tony Awards, which then led to becoming his go-to barber in New York. That opened a lot of doors.

At the same time, being part of an esteemed prestige salon like IGK helped build visibility and credibility.

From there, things started to compound. More clients, more recognition, more opportunities across press and celebrity work. It wasn’t overnight, but it built up steadily.

When Slow & Steady Turns Into Momentum

At the end of the day, what builds your career is client experience, consistency, positioning, and understanding your value.

I’ve seen incredibly talented stylists struggle because they rely only on their work. And I’ve seen others build enviable careers specifically because they understand people. Remember, this is a service industry first.

The consultation is everything

As my client base grew, opportunities for high-profile gigs started to come more naturally.

I’ve worked across editorial, film, and live events, with A-list clients like Nick Jonas, Bad Bunny, and Sam Claflin. But none of that came from chasing celebrity clientele. It came from saying yes to everything early on. 

Unpaid work, long days, traveling, teaching, doing whatever it took to get into the right rooms and prove myself.

The level of client might change, but the standard doesn’t.

What I Wish My Younger Self Had Known 

Experience has taught me a few things I wish I’d known much earlier in my career.

I would have started documenting everything sooner. Press, work, collaborations — it all matters more than you think.

I would have learned the business side earlier. Pricing, positioning, and structure are just as important as skill.

And I would have taken consultation more seriously from day one. It would have saved me years of trial and error.

Marc Ballance early in his career.

I’m still based in New York working behind the chair, on set, and across different areas of the industry.

I’ve been fortunate to build a fully booked clientele, consisting of both incredible salon clients and high-profile talent. I also spend time creating content and educating clients and stylists in person and through social media.

I enjoy the mix. Whether it’s on set, behind the chair, or creating content, it all feeds into the same thing.

Celebrity stylist Marc Ballance and client

Does it get easier? Yes and no. There’s financial pressure, especially early on and especially in a city like New York. And then there’s the visa side of things, which always comes with a level of uncertainty. Those are the parts people don’t really see.

But that balance between highs and lows doesn’t go away. You just get better at handling it.

There’s no single moment where everything changes. It’s a series of decisions, made consistently over time, that compound into something bigger.

Say yes early on. Work hard. Treat people properly. It all adds up.

Marc Ballance is an Irish-born celebrity and editorial stylist, salon educator, content creator, and beauty business consultant based in New York City.

Marc Ballance Headshot