articles

Confidence Beyond Hair Loss

A Survivor's Story and How She Inspires Others to be Confident

By Sarah Boucher, Publisher Macaroni Kid Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Muskegon April 1, 2020

Growing up, I didn't have any siblings at home.  My cousins became like my sisters, and we spent as much time together as possible.  When I finally had a car and a driver's license, I spent most weekends at their house (or picking them up to bring them to my house).  So many of my childhood memories involve my two closest cousins.

Fast forward to adulthood, and, as life would have it, we live in three different states and each have our own jobs and families.  Needless to say, the weekends together have turned into bi-annual family gatherings. Nevertheless, the bond is still there.  I'll never forget the day my cousin Megan called me out of the blue with news. I had just pulled in to the grocery store parking lot.  She was as bubbly and optimistic as she always is, and then she says "I have cancer."  

In true Megan form, she was a rock-star through it all.  She stayed positive, posted her journey (both highs and lows) on her social media in a raw and vulnerable way.  She even took videos of her friend taking her hair from long to a pixie cut, styling each length along the way.  

So when I saw Rachael Kaminski on Instagram, it hit home.  Here was this beautiful young woman, bearing her soul, her journey, and turning it into her passion to help others.  Many of us cringe at having a "bad hair day", I cannot fathom what it would be like to have a "no hair day." Rachael could, as it was part of her story.  In 2017, she completed chemotherapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  She says "during that time, I learned a great deal about myself and the world of hair loss.  I've always had a passion for helping others,but it wasn't until I lost my hair that I made it my mission to help others navigate the physical and mental effects of hair loss with strength, confidence, and style."  Thus was the creation of Confidence Beyond Hair Loss, Grand Haven’s first alternative hair salon. This cozy one-chair salon that specializes in wig and topper sales, after chemo custom bonded extensions, wig restoration and customization as well as bonded semi-permanent hair pieces, all in the privacy of her home-based salon. 




Rachael is a licensed cosmetologist with 10 years of experience behind the chair. Everyone is welcome in her salon.  She works with people of all ages and offers more than just alternative hair solutions. She's also a licensed and insured salon that provides haircuts, color, formal styling, and waxing. 

Not everyone who visits Rachael's salon is experiencing hair loss, but many are due to a variety of conditions including but not limited to: alopecia, autoimmune and thyroid disorders, trichotillomania, hormone deficiency, postpartum, weight loss, bariatric surgery, menopause, chemotherapy, and radiation. 

Rachael invites you to take advantage of her FREE 60-minute, one-on-one virtual consultation*. There is no pressure to purchase anything. This is your time to talk and ask questions with someone who has been through it.  She will  discuss your concerns, and look at all of the different options available. She has something for everyone! 





*Typically free consultations are in Rachael's private in-home salon.  However, due to current social distancing requirements, Rachael is offering virtual consultations.  


🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸


To stay IN THE KNOW, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
Each week, you will receive fresh new ideas of local family-friendly events.
Get social with us on
 Facebook and Instagram too!


Macaroni Kid is a free weekly e-newsletter, online calendar, and website proudly serving families in the Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Muskegon areas.


Do you have an event you want listed? Submit your information HERE!

Want to advertise your locally-owned business? Email us at sarahboucher@macaronikid.com