Today we’d like to introduce you to Ash Seal.
Ash, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my journey in Maine, where I was born and raised. I attended hair school in Portland, and really questioned whether this was the right decision over going to college. I hated every minute of it. So much that my dad actually bribed me with money to not skip any days during the summer. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t like to lose a bet, especially if it’s money. I felt that everything was so old school and there wasn’t any excitement I didn’t feel challenged. I could have also been because I was 18 with an attitude thinking back on it.
I remember one day in class, we were making vision boards and I said that I wanted to work on Newberry Street in Boston, and instructor actually laughed and said “Ashley they are just snobby stylist, and people from here don’t make it there. Well, jokes on her. After school, I got a job as an assistant to a GoldWell Guest Artist. She taught me the ins and outs of color, and I finally felt like this is what I was meant to do. I worked with her for almost 2 years when I realized I needed more. I felt out of place in Maine and needed something bigger and faster I crave being challenged and that just wasn’t happening. So, I made the decision to move to Boston. I was 21 years old living at home I couldn’t even do a lot of laundries but I convince myself that I knew what I was doing. I spent the summer researching salons and one kept coming up. Stilisti. They weren’t advertising for help I just knew I needed to email the owner Marisa Marino. When I went to interview with Marisa I was scared to death.
But we had an instant connection. Four hours later, I was a part of the Stilisti team. I packed my stuff and two weeks later I was living in Boston. And seven years later I am still at Stilisti. I truly believe that I am where I am today because I never had an ego and I still don’t. I failed over and over but never give up even when I really wanted to move back home with my family. I surround myself with positive people and I have worked my ass off. I’ve never thought that I’m too good for anything. You can still find me at the end of a crazy day cleaning the bathroom. I think that being humble and a hard worker has really been the key to my success.
Has it been a smooth road?
Let’s put it this way. Marisa said if she knew how much I cried she wouldn’t have hired me. So, yes, I’ve struggled. I’m very hard on myself and care a lot about my craft. I’ve done a lot of intense training including a cutting course in London. And yes I cried every day. It was the hardest training I’ve ever endorsed but it really changed me as a stylist. Johnny Othona The creator of Alilon was so tough on me he literally broke me down to a point where I just wanted to quit. But I didn’t. I owe my cutting skills to him. He told me to “take every risk and drop every fear” I will never forget that week as I feel it changed me as a stylist. For young women starting in this industry, I would say. Be who you are. Don’t let fear get in the way of what you want behind the chair and in life. Confidence is key but also isn’t being humble. Let other women support you and know that it is okay to ask for help. I would never be where I am today without my two mentors Marisa Marino and Alexandra Goresh. They have supported me through some really tough times. It’s OK to be nervous, that means you were growing. I still get nervous sometimes.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into your business story. Tell us more about the business.
So, I work at Stilisti and I’ve been there for seven years. I still can’t believe how fast time flies. I am a Master Colorist and Master Stylist there (this has really made me realize my journey… I never thought I would have those titles). When I’m not working behind the chair, I’m teaching in-salon classes and mentoring new talent. I love new talent they get so excited about everything. I specialize in bridal hair, blondes, and color correction. I would say the one thing I’m really known for is my blondes. Being a blonde, we kind of speak a different language and I just got it. My clients love how natural I can make their color look. In the salon, I’m really known for my color formulations. I love the chemistry of color which is ironic because I failed chemistry in high school. Whoops. I’ve never thought that I’m anything special. I always say I’m just a girl from Maine who had a dream and a hard work ethic. I show up, give my clients my all, and treat them with respect. I think people really appreciate that. I also really care about my clients. A lot of them have been with me from the beginning when I was a Junior Stylist, and truthfully they are my motivation. They are what push me to do my best. Being in the service industry can be tough but I love it. Giving someone hair they’ve always wanted, fixing a bad color, giving them the best haircut after a break-up and seeing how good they feel inside and out after leaving my chair is a feeling I could never explain. But that feeling is why I do what I do. I want every woman to feel her best and be as confident as possible.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I honestly believe that women can do anything. Coming from an industry that is male dominated I think that, that makes women work even harder, at least the ones that I surround myself with. You’re definitely seeing a lot more female salon owners, female brands, and female run product companies. I think we are finally in a place where we’re not competitive with each other and we really want to see women succeed. I think at this point we are unstoppable.
Pricing:
- Upstyle $200
- Full Foil & Haircut $325
- Partial Foil & haircut $295
- Color Correction price upon consultation
Contact Info:
- Address: Stilisti
116 Newbury St. #2
Boston, MA 02116 - Website: www.stilistiboston.com
- Phone: 617-262-2234
- Email: info@stilistiboston.com
- Instagram: @theashstyle
Image Credit:
Katie Kolbe, Minela Gacanovic
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
