Do It For You: Anastaja’s Path to Purpose Through Hair and Humor

There’s something sacred about the chair.

It’s not just about the haircut or the style. When you sit in Anastaja’s chair at Posh Salon on Main Street, you’re stepping into a space of growth, and grit—a soft place in a hard world where someone sees you and wants you to feel good, not just look good. That’s the energy Anastaja brings to her craft. She’s not just a cosmetologist. She’s a vibe.

This episode of The GrandValli Experience hits different. Because Anastaja isn’t some polished guru with a five-step plan and a Pinterest board labeled “Boss Babe Energy.” She’s real. Funny. Lowkey awkward. And loud in the most loving, unfiltered way. She's that friend who will braid your hair for seven hours straight, laugh mid-conversation about her love for BTS, and still have the awareness to say: “If I’m going to be here, I want to be doing something I love.”

Let’s run it back real quick.

From College to Beauty Breakthrough

Anastaja spent three years in college trying to survive—literally fighting for her life in classrooms she didn’t care about, studying subjects that drained her. She didn’t drop out because she couldn’t make it. She dropped out because she realized she didn’t have to keep choosing misery for someone else’s approval.

“I was doing everything I thought other people wanted me to do… but one day I was like, no. You’re living this life. You need to do what you want to do.”

That’s when it clicked. All those years of braiding hair in dorm rooms, pulling all-nighters not for exams but for protective styles and edge control, actually meant something. That joy? That peace? That energy? That was the path. Cosmetology wasn’t just a backup plan—it was the real dream all along.

Cosmetology Is Care Work

Here’s the thing people miss: doing hair is intimate. It's emotional labor. And Anastaja knows that. She doesn’t see hair as just a service—she sees it as a way to help women feel powerful in a world that often tries to shrink us.

“Women go through enough,” she said. “If I can make them feel beautiful, just for that one moment—that’s everything.”

And it’s not just about beauty. It’s about transformation. About being seen and supported. About creating a moment where someone feels free.

Groundedness, and Goals

Anastaja talks a lot about the beauty of being a woman. Not in a trendy way, but in a deeply nostalgic, protective way. The idea of women being soft, joyful, complicated, and whole without apology. That’s what keeps her going on the hard days. That’s what makes her roll out of bed excited to work with her clients and get to know who is in her chair. That’s the purpose behind the scissors.

And she’s got dreams, too. Not to stay behind the chair forever—but to be behind the scenes. Movie sets. Celebrity glam. Creating looks that change the mood of a whole production. You can see it clear as day: the awkward, hilarious girl becoming the go-to stylist for the next Issa Rae or SZA.

What You Probably Didn’t Know…

Anastaja is a self-proclaimed yapper. Once she warms up? She will say whatever is on her mind. She’s a nerd for K-pop. She wants to act one day. She’s socially shy until she’s not. But through all of that, what shines through most is her heart. Her deep love for people—especially women—and her genuine desire to help them feel whole.

If you’re lucky enough to get three appointments in with her, you’ll see it. You’ll get the full Anastaja card. Until then, just know she’s loves what she does and want you to feel beyond beautiful.

Final Words from Her Chair

“Stop caring what people think. Try shit. If it doesn’t work, at least you tried.”

Success, for her, isn’t about the house or anything materialistic. It’s about waking up and saying, “This is awesome.” It’s about laughing until your face hurts. It’s about friends, experiences, doing what she loves, and grit. It’s about doing hair and doing it with heart.

Support Anastaja

• 💇🏾‍♀️ Book with her at Posh Salon & Boutique on Main Street, Grand Junction, CO.

• 💖 Follow her beauty page on Instagram: @tajt.beauty

This is GrandValli. Where story meets soul, and every episode reminds you—your path doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else but you.

Until next time. If you haven't already subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date and see what our founder is thinking of next.