Hidden Gems: Meet Amy Bush of Ambushed Salon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Bush.

Hi Amy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the farthest corner of Northeast Ohio. Growing up I thought that I wanted to be a Thoroughbred horse racing jockey, but had soon figured out that it was a pretty tough game. So, when I had the opportunity to enter into the high school vocational cosmetology program, I took the chance. And to my surprise, I didn’t just like it, I actually loved it! After graduating in 1990, I decided to move down to Columbus, Ohio in order to enroll in Barber College. As all the best talent at the time had dual licenses and I knew that I didn’t have enough experience to be really confident behind the chair.

I spent the next couple of years learning and working at a few different salons improving my skills. I finally landed at a salon where I stayed for about 11 years. This is where I had the opportunity to create in house classes for my teammates, be accepted as a product educator for a couple of companies, as well as, attended advanced level education courses. Not to exclude, working in a team environment focusing on adult learning styles.

In 2008 the universe had decided that I needed it to give me a push to venture out as a solo artist. It was a very uncertain time in my life. I was scared to leave a place that I was successful, and not to mention, my marriage was falling apart. So, I knew I needed to make a major change and go in a completely new direction. This is where I discovered the passion of providing salon services that only focused on naturally textured curly hair.

Upon leaving this salon in 2008, I discovered I was burned out in the salon and seeking something that would fill my soul and my heart. After reevaluating my current clientele and filtering out those that really filled my soul with happiness, I saw that the 80% clients left on the list, had naturally curly hair! Which was perfect, since I had already started experimenting with my philosophies and methods before this moment, as the curly hair movement was really growing fast.

At the end of 2008, it was at this time one of my worst fears became my reality- my husband had passed away and it was now up to me to take care of my 4 children. Having the courage to open my own space, allowed the universe to open doors that would give me the space to provide for my family, all while having the flexibility to also find happiness in my career.

Since education is one of my passions, I dove back in as an educator with the haircare line I was offering in my micro-salon suite. One day, a good friend who was the local rep for this company, had suggested I should open my own salon, and call it Ambushed. That was my name and I loved the idea! Couple months later I was in contract to begin construction. The doors offically opened in 2010 as the very first curly hair salon in Columbus, Ohio (and maybe even in all of Ohio)!

Soon there after, I enrolled my first intern and created The Curl Immersion program. So much thought and intention has been poured into the development of this program over the years. In fact, I have had the honor to provide a solid foundation for a number of my stylists to be inspired to create their own unique independent brand, as Curl Specialists in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Ambushed Salon, a curl focused salon, has reached a high level of reputation within the community. However, I believe that all hairstylists should have access to curl education. I also believe every stylist should be provided with the opportunity to attain growth and success in the beauty industry. Especially, when it involves curly hair!

This led me down the road of having a dream of offering a online digital and virtual education platform. COVID gave me the time and space to create The Ambushed Curl Academy. This platform provides me with the ability to reach stylists globally, as well as, locally with hairstylists in a mentorship coaching program based on my 4 Pillars of ArchiTEXTURE methodology.

The mission is to share my life experiences, spark an inspired mindset and provide curl education so hairstylists can reveal their own unique identity, create their personalized industry brand and find freedom to define success based on their own personal goals.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road is never smooth. LOL! When I decided to move down to Columbus, I was 18 yrs old, never lived outside of a small town had 100$ in my pocket, an old car, big hopes and bigger dreams.

I had to navigate roommates, making money, paying bills and having too much fun! That was the first year. Second/third year was a bit more difficult. I ended up having my oldest daughter when I was 20 yrs old. Working in a chain salon and realizing that I was working incredibly long days/weeks with only making 250-300$ a week. As you can imagine, that didn’t quite pay for all my expenses every month. I used to write bad checks just to have groceries. I would also joke that the eviction notices on my door were “Love Notes” from the landlord. LOL! The truth is that I felt that it was a career that should provide a sustainable income.

What I learned was that it required putting in serious time, persistent effort and continuing education to finally make the goal of 100,000$ yearly income. But, I still became burned out and that’s when I knew I had to do something different. That was finding my passion in curly hair. Funny thing, it was a time where some of the top educators in the industry didn’t believe that I could build and sustain a business just focusing on curly hair. They said that I would limit myself. And even if I could build it for myself, they doubted that I could for an entire team of stylists. But, they just couldn’t see the future that I saw coming.

Well, they were wrong. I opened the salon during a recession, survived COVID with no loans or PPE and still going strong 15 yrs later!

That was a challenge that was right after my husband had passed from suicide at the end of 2008 and I became a single mother. So, I found myself building a new business, dealing with grief and trauma while raising my children through it all.

Since then, the challenges have been learning how to refine teaching hairstylists to achieve competency as quickly as possible. In the beginning it would take 6-9 months now on average 3-4 months. Although, it depends on the individual.

Of course, another challenge is attracting a continuous flow of clients and retaining them while new talent stylists that are still learning their craft. Which flows over into marketing. There was no social media when I started my career 35 yrs ago. Learning how excel in that area is a whole other level of pressure.

Another big challenge has been learning the reality of how to retain employees. Things have changed quite a bit since I was first out of school. The world has changed so much and that shapes what people are looking for to be satisfied in a career. It is a constant balancing between what the business requires to stay strong and also to provide an environment that employees will thrive mentally and emotionally. I often say that I am in the business of developing and growing hairstylists.

There is no sitting back on your laurels when it’s really good. You have to love the constant quest to improve and the passion to be better. If, you don’t then you will probably struggle as a business owner. I personally love the many challenges and opportunities for growth!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ambushed Salon?
Ambushed Salon was the very first salon to offer exclusive services for naturally textured curly hair of all diversities, everything from beach waves to the tightest kinks and coils in the Columbus, Ohio area since 2010.

Providing education to our clients about their curls is a top priority for us. You see this on our website curl education page that includes ebooks and resources, from satisfied customer testimonials. Including, you can hear the conversations while you are sitting in the salon. I consider this to be the most important step in creating an unforgettable experience.

In 2009 I had a vision of creating a space that would embrace and celebrate all individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life. The only requirement was the desire to wear what nature gifted you. Natural curls! This vision has stayed consistent since the doors opened 16 yrs ago!

My passion for education includes making an impact for hairstylists seeking to add curly hair skills to level up their career. So, we are currently in a growth phase of creating awareness of education opportunities for hairstylists by way of the Ambushed Curl Academy mentorship/coaching program.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Consistency in my vision, authenticity, commitment to improving every year combined with flexibility in change that makes an impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ambushedsalon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambushedsalon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambushedsalon
• Other: https://ambushedcurlacademy.com