Rising Stars: Meet Samantha Yates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Yates. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I dreamed of being a salon owner/operator since I was about seven years old. After four years of doing hair, I dove right into opening my own salon in Rio Grande, New Jersey. At the time, I had a newborn baby just weeks old, and I ran my 3-station salon all alone. It was super tiny on a side street hence how Hidden Beauty came about (the name of my salon). After one year I hired my first employee, and then quickly my second, and then we blew up, and we weren’t so hidden anymore. I got an offer to move my salon to some prime real estate in the infamous island Cape May, New Jersey. I now have a seven-person staff and just won 2022 gold medal for best on the Jersey shore. March 2021, I opened Hidden Beauty 2 in Vermilion. I wanted to raise my kids closer to family and in a more year-round location as Cape May is very seasonal. After owning my salon, there was only one choice when moving to town and that was starting out “hidden” AGAIN and clawing my way up from the bottom. Current day I now have four awesome employees in my new location and a pretty good clientele already. Vermilion has been welcoming. I run my Cape May location from afar and work full-time doing hair in Vermilion. I travel back to Cape May every few months for salon maintenance, wedding work, and staff bonding. I have two children that are my world and two successful busy salons. This is my whole life, and I wouldn’t want it any other way ❤️ “Roses should fight to remain underground; it is more sacred when Hidden Beauty is found.” 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t believe there is anything smooth about starting a business from the ground. It is literal blood, sweat, and tears. It’s is not for everyone. I have questioned my own sanity at times, but on the other hand, I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Not many hairdressers love all aspects of hair. Some like color, others like cutting, some do special occasion hair, and some don’t. I myself, I love it all. I love it like I love my family. I love my days on just like my days off. It’s a passion for me. I love it beyond the hair. I love hearing people’s stories. I love getting new advice and sharing it down the chain. I love the look on a person’s face when you literally help them love themselves a little bit more. There is no comparison to that feeling. To have the power to make the world a happier place. 

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
COSMETOLOGY IS NOT INSTANT MONEY. It is not like waitressing where your clients walk right into you every day. If you want to make a career out of it if you want to make six figures doing it if you want it to be more than a quick trade and certificate… Do it all the way. It will take five years or so to do it. Be prepared to struggle for a while. My first year doing hair I drove around an old beat-down car where I had to seat belt the door shut because it wouldn’t close yesterday I just bought my first brand new vehicle. If you want instant gratification, this is not the career for you. 

Contact Info:

• Website: Hiddenbeauty2.com
• Instagram: @ownerofthehiddengem
• Facebook: Hidden Beauty