Today we’d like to introduce you to Julz Stewart.
Hi Julz, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I knew I had a passion for hair and creative design when I was a teenager. I played guitar in a Metalcore band and always found myself doing my bandmates hair before shows. Cutting their hair, giving them bright stripes of color, or even shaving design in their heads. I enjoyed every part of the process from start to finish, and with some push from my mom… I decided to go to hair school. I graduated and got my license in 2012 and immediately started working in chain salons. After a few years, I went out on my own and did booth rent at a privately owned salon for 2 years until I finally decided to take the leap and start my own business. My wife and I opened the doors to “The Ivy Social Salon” in 2018 and the rest is history.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There is absolutely nothing in the world like owning your own business. Of course, the journey to this point has not been easy. But I have been so privileged to have the belief and support of not only my wife and friends but also my community. Owning a business in a small town has been almost like we’ve built this together. My clients followed me from the days of working in chain salons, where large corporations would take a large percentage of the work I was doing, to now. Owning and operating every part of this little Main Street home we’ve built together. Every time things got a little sticky, I always had the peace and confidence that my community had my back. They haven’t let me down yet.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about The Ivy Social Salon?
The Ivy Social Salon is a full-service salon with stylist who specialize in specific areas of Cosmetology and Aesthetics. You can walk into our salon and get everything from a full head of highlights, facial and clean fade to a tattoo, micro-needling, or even a piercing. My team prides ourselves on creating an environment that you can feel comfortable enough to relax and be yourself in. We are a judgment-free zone; we are humans servicing humans, acknowledging and validating how important self-care is to incorporate in your regular routine.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I love writing & directing. I started a creative house called “Cardinal Village” with my cousin, Jaylen Prater who does freelance video and media work in Chicago. We’ve done everything from small documentary features to music videos and narrative short films. Writing and storytelling, for me, are an absolute necessity.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Theivysocialsalon
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/theivysocialsalon
Image Credits
Jaylen Prater
Josh Richter
