Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Priest.
Hi Emily , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Straight out of high school, I hesitantly started beauty school and fell in love. I started out in a commission salon and after only one year I decided to become an independent stylist. After all, that was a big reason I wanted to become a hairstylist. Over the next 9 years and 2 kids later I decided I wanted to become completely independent and I opened my own 200 square feet suite in downtown Wilmington. I decided to kick my fears of becoming and staying a small town stylist out of the window. After just one year in my suite, I’m now leasing a 1200 square feet space in the heart of downtown with another hairstylist and a nail artist. We have a very laid-back and inclusive attitude that our clients can feel. In the past couple of years, I’ve realized that if we can express who we are genuinely then it will reflect on our creativity. I decided to call my salon Carmel Collective because I don’t consider myself a “boss”. We are a collective of independent artists working beside each other, not above or below.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I think my first year of doing hair I made less than 5 grand. I was “working” 40+ hours a week just waiting for walk-ins or someone to book an appointment. When I became an independent stylist, it first started to pay off. That same year I had my first daughter and it was a small setback. I was mostly doing walk-ins in a very fast-paced, toxic environment and I ended up taking a break from hair. When I started back, I found a salon that was a better fit and I fell in love again. I was there for 6 years before I went completely independent. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the support of my husband. He has completely supported every decision I’ve ever made.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
When I first opened my small suite, I named it Carmel Bea Hair Studio. Carmel and Bea are my daughter’s middle names. When I moved, I changed the name to Carmel Collective. There are currently two hairstylists including me and a nail artist. The salon is in downtown Wilmington with a population of almost 12,000. I want the salon to have an urban/modern feel with artists that focus on the importance of education. Small town hair salons get a bad rep but I’m focused on changing that. We all have the same resources regardless of our zip code. I specialize in blonde and dimensional color. My favorite thing to do is a lived-in blonde or a contrasted brunette. I use mostly Redken products. I love to educate my clients on the importance of taking care of their hair and loving themselves. I’m most proud of being a safe space where my clients and coworkers feel comfortable enough to express themselves and to feel confident. No one teaches you in beauty school that a BIG part of your job is to empower your clients. Hairstylists can make a big impact in someone’s life and I don’t take that lightly.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I think everyone I’ve worked with throughout my career has impacted me in some way. I don’t regret any decision I’ve made because I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had a different past.
My husband is 100% my biggest supporter and has sometimes put my career in front of his own. He works from home so he also takes up a lot of responsibility at home. He picks up lunch, takes the trash out, and is the salon handyman. He always jokes and says he can’t wait for his employee of the month plaque to go up.
My clients deserve the same amount of recognition. I have some clients that have been with me for a very long time and everything I do is for them.
Pricing:
- $185 + Balayage + Cut
- $150+ Dimensional Color + Cut
- $135+ Blonding + Cut
- $80+ Root touch up + Cut
- $40+ Shampoo + Cut + Style
Contact Info:
- Email: carmelbeastudio@gmail.com
- Website: carmelbea.square.site
- Instagram: @emilypstylist @carmelcollectiveohio
- Facebook: Facebook.com/carmellcollectiveohio
Image Credits
Photography by Erika Seitz
