Oak Forest Native Lands Career Of Her Dreams

OAK FOREST, IL — It's taken a bit of time, a few winding roads, and a couple of detours, but Oak Forest native Cheyenne Wiley has finally found herself in the right place, at the right time. The 30-year-old has landed exactly where she always wanted to be—as a hair stylist with a growing clientele.

Wiley has fulfilled not only her own lifelong dream, but one she shared with her older sister Juliana Ramos, whose life changed drastically after a car crash in 2009.

"She’s my big sister, I’ve always looked up to her," Wiley said, noting that at the time of the crash Ramos was attending beauty school. The crash rendered Juliana in need of round-the-clock care, making her dream less likely of becoming a reality. Wiley tried to push aside her own affinity for styling hair, but ultimately clung tight to that passion and forged ahead with making her career happen.

"At first, I thought, 'Do I stay away from it because it’s her dream?'" Wiley said. "But no, it’s something she taught me to love. It’s something I wanted to do for everyone. I didn’t want it to be a negative thing anymore, I wanted to make something of it.

"I love talking to everyone, I love meeting people. My clients become my friends. Every time I thought maybe I shouldn’t do it, I always came back to this is exactly the career I’m looking for. It’s always this."

Wiley began beauty school in 2017, and stepped back in 2018 when she had her daughter Penelope. The same year, Wiley and her husband Steve adopted another daughter Emma, whose parents had both passed away. Her school took a backseat as her motherhood came front and center.

In 2019, just before the pandemic, Wiley went back for what she determined would be her final attempt, starting from scratch but ready to complete her schooling. She became pregnant with daughter Spencer, but completed her training to become a licensed stylist.

As she checked off schooling milestones, Wiley was doing hair every step of the way. With her schooling finished, she started as a commission-based stylist at a salon.

"I was learning a lot, but as a mom, I needed more flexibility," she said.

She applied to join the team and rent a chair at then-Salon Vis a Vis in August 2021, in downtown Frankfort.

"It was the best decision," she said. "I was forced to learn how to grow."

In a time of indecision about the salon's future, the owner gathered the staff and said she was uncertain if, after 30 years, she would want to continue ownership beyond the completion of the lease. Costs were rising, and the salon needed necessary repairs and other tweaks.

"I thought that we should have an event to raise money for the salon, so we could get the things we needed—we have an awesome team there, everybody helps everybody," Wiley said.

She brought to life the idea of a princess party—an all-out glam fest, salon experience for kids to enjoy pampering and goodies of all kinds. The first party debuted in February 2022.

"It's supposed to be magical, something that feels like it’s not their everyday life," Wiley said. "They get to transform. They get their hair done in curls, braids. They get their makeup done. They dress according to theme, like princess dresses, and we top it off with a crown."

The events were a hit, Wiley said, and something shifted between her and the owner.

"I think the owner saw me in a different way," she said. "I think she was afraid to sell it and see what would happen to it. But then she thought in her head, that if she were to sell it, I would be the perfect person to sell it to."

And so began a new twist in her journey: salon ownership. Salon Vis a Vis at 25 Ash St. became CheyeWild.

Wiley's success as a budding beautician reminds her deeply of her sister and their shared love of doing hair.

"She was really good at doing hair," Wiley said. "I feel like I’m good — but she was REALLY good. It’s just something that I’ve always seen the passion for. I definitely tend to follow in her footsteps."

As her business grows, Wiley will continue to build on the idea of the princess parties, with upcoming opportunities to join the fun. The next party will be held Sunday, July 17, with tickets sold at $40/person. The partygoers get exclusive use of the salon the day of, with stylists on hand to do hair, makeup, and other glamorous touches. There is a $400 minimum to book a 2-hour party, with the option to extend beyond that. All bookings are made through Facebook events. Wiley is now selling tickets for the July 17 princess experience, magical makeover.

CheyeWild is also accepting applications for stylists, and welcomes new clients. More information can be found on the CheyeWild Facebook page.