Michelle Casey is definitely not your typical hairstylist!  In fact, she’s known as the “Hairy Godmother”, Author and Public Speaker.

Born in Nottingham, England, Michelle moved to the United States in 1983. She resided in the Myrtle Beach area before settling in Hilton Head in 2004 , with her two teenage children, to be closer to her terminally ill mother. 

After the ordeal of losing her Mum, Michelle’s priority was to keep the children settled and so made Hilton Head their permanent home.  Michelle began working as an educator with John Paul Mitchell Sytems as a national color educator, training hairstylists across the region, which ultimately led to opening her own salon, Chez Michelle, in 2009.

What makes Michelle unique is her continual drive to improve herself and uplift those around her. It was after listening to Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich” audiobook that she committed her focus and energy to be the best that she could be.

In 2015 Michelle undertook intense training with the Napoleon Hill Foundation in success planning and went on to become a certified Life Coach.

Additionally, Michelle joined Toastmasters International, which is a leadership and communication organization. Michelle’s skills in both were enhanced after 2 years she became club President for Hilton Head, and then an Area Director for Charleston. 

Michelle also realized one other major goal – to write and publish her first book!

Tell us about your book?

“My book is titled your “Hairy Godmother – Hair Trauma Preventionist”. It is a book of stories and life lessons from behind the salon chair. 

As a salon chair coach, I help clients pin-point their wants, needs and desires through a  simple consultation system. This system  is designed to aid hairdressers in consultations and also puts clients at ease, because they feel listened to. I would love to share it with other salons.

I recently became a  SC State Instructor  in Cosmetology,  so that I can offer it in a state continuing education programs.

Besides your work, what other interests or activities keep you busy?

Another organization that is very near and dear to my heart is NAMI. (National Alliance on Mental Illness.) NAMI is a national grassroots advocacy organization for mental illness . I just began my term as president of our local affiliate Nami Lowcountry.

We offer12 free programs in the community dedicated to improving the lives of people living with mental illness and their families. We serve five counties; Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Allendale and Colleton. 

We offer community outreach, advocate for mental health; and provide education and support so that all those affected can build better lives. I’m just thankful that I have been connected to the resources in the community. I’ve benefited from them,  and now I can help others in need.”

What’s your favorite restaurant in the area and why do you love it there?

“Oh, that’s an easy one. My favorite place to go is the Skull Creek Boathouse. I like to sit by the water, and just unwind and enjoy one of the best sunset views on the Island . (Not to mention, it’s just two blocks from my home)”

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here, and why?

“Well, I’d have to say, Elizabeth Millen. She is the founder and CEO of Pink Magazine and when I wrote my book she interviewed me. We discovered that we had a lot in common and ultimately became great friends. We’ve gone on many adventures together, reading and writing assignments.  She’s just an all-round amazing person.

If you could safely travel anywhere in the world right now where would it be and why?

“Well, I’d love to be in Portugal right now as my boyfriend was there touring the area. Unfortunately, it was my busy time and season so I wasn’t able to go. I’d also like to do the El Camino walk. A walk that begins in France and ends in Santiago, Spain. It’s a pilgrimage, and you have to train for it but I just think that would be a wonderful thing to be able to do:

What is your favorite movie, or what’s the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?

“ My first movie was the James Bond movie  ‘Live and Let Die’ James Bond was played by Roger Moore and I thought it was fascinating because in one scene he was stepping across alligators like they were stepping stones. Who’d ever known that I’d end up living in a place where alligators are in abundance and I’d be comfortable with that?”

What advice would you give a crowd of people?

Be kind to one another. Period.

What is something on your bucket list?

“Oh, I have several things. However, I have a terrible fear of heights and one of the things that I saw my boyfriend do recently was paragliding near the Swiss Alps, he was actually in Italy, and I would like to try that and overcome my fear of heights.” I’ve already done several things like walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver,  Canada. I am determined to conquer my fear of heights.

 What’s your favorite music, or three bands that you would like to (see dead or alive)?

“I’m a person that likes all different kinds of music genres.  I went to see Earth Wind and Fire last year in New Orleans, but it was rained out! So Earth Wind and Fire. I would love to see the Beatles, if they were all still alive and I would love to see Maroon Five, oh and would love to see, Adam Lambert with Queen. Celine Dion and Taylor Swift too.”

What current or former businesses make you most nostalgic about Hilton Head?

“Well you know they just took down the Bi-Lo on Matthews Drive and I just remember when my mom was alive, shopping and just spending time with her in that store. I also like the Piggly Wiggly on the south end. I know they’re grocery stores but they’ve been a strong staple. Also, The Old Fort Pub -There’s just such a majestic view and it’s just quaint. Although it’s more of an upscale restaurant, I just love the view and the intimacy of that place.

If you could choose anyone to whom you would have lunch, who would it be with,why and where would you have lunch?

I like to have lunch with my brother. Because we’re so busy we never get to have just a sit-down lunch, just the two of us. And I would probably like to do it at Up the Creek off Marshland Road because we have great memories there with the family, is laid back, it’s comfortable, it’s outside, and it’s by the water. Anywhere by the water”

What is your favorite thing or something unique about this area that others may not know?

“There’s the Hilton Head that tourists see, and then there’s a whole other Hilton Head that locals enjoy.  I think that the locals are a lot like little fiddler crabs. That is, when it gets busier here, we kind of retreat a little bit more and give “the company” room to play. 

Locals have little areas and pockets of the island that we can go to, that are less congested, local places. They’re beautiful and probably even more valuable because they are not as well known. One of my favorite places is Mitchellville beach and Fish Haul Creek Park. I love to walk through nature, it’s not as congested with people and not as popular as Coligny beach. I love the hustle and bustle of the south end, but the north end of the island, I feel, is more residential and peaceful. That’s why I work on the south end and I live on the north end”

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

“Well that’s a constant evolution with me, but I see myself in the salon industry, sharing education and information with hairdressers and clients, on the importance of recognizing, responding and referring people in need. 

As a hairdresser, It’s so much more than just doing hair. It’s about relationships and helping clients recognize their needs and referring them to resources. It’s helping hairdressers recognize where their part is in the process. It’s when somebody comes in for a hairstyle or haircut, and they may be in distress. Sometimes these things attach themselves to the service and we need to know how to navigate through that. So as an instructor on a state level,if not on a national level, or international  level, I wish  to help facilitate specialized communications, in the industry I love so much.”

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

“Lot of moving parts – Handle with Care!”

If you could only choose one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

“German chocolate cake with coffee or Guacamole with Tortilla Chips”

If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star who would you choose?

I would choose to be Bridget Jones and my co-star would be Adam Levine or  Brad  Pitt.

If you could have a fully paid, full-time staff member who would you choose between a chef; housekeeper; driver; coach; physical fitness trainer; a nanny; or someone else?

“I would have a chef, one that was knowledgeable and good nutrition, and cleans up! lol”.

What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word home?

“Love. Comfort. Peace”

Is there anything else you think folks would like to know about you?

“Well, I think I did I mention I was from England. I love this country so I became an American citizen. I tell people all the time that I wasn’t born with American Citizenship, I had to earn the right to be here, and I never take it for granted”