Conversations with the Inspiring Shelayne “Shey” Davis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelayne “Shey” Davis.

Shelayne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started doing hair as a child with my mother. On weekends, my mother would braid hair to make extra money, I was her assistant by the age of 6. I grew up as the hair stylist to most of my friends, interestingly enough I didn’t have dreams to become a hairstylist.

I went to college for early childhood education for 2 years before I realized that sitting in traditional classrooms was not something I was good at. But, I knew I was good at one thing: Hair.

After finishing cosmetology school, I partnered with a great company, Aveda. I worked behind the chair at Athena Aveda on Boylston St. (Boston, MA) for 6 years. I then decided to try something new. I packed up and moved to Charlotte NC to Teach at an Aveda Institute. While there I had the pleasure of molding up and coming industry leaders. Never one to stay far from the chair, I worked part time at an amazing salon Dolce Lusso Aveda.

Being from Roxbury, I missed Boston. I have been back in Boston for three years now. I am the Aveda Hair Color Specialist for the New England Region. My role now is my favorite. I help make dreams come true. If you are a stylist, my job is to share with you new trends, new education, and to help you build your books. If you are a business owner, my job is to help drive color business through the training and support of your technical team. True to form, I’m not far from a chair. On weekends, when I’m in town, you can find me at various Aveda Salons taking walk-In Appointments.

This has been my journey so far, but it’s just the beginning!!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I cant say that my road has been a difficult one. I was programed as a child to think I can do whatever I want if I work hard for it. Every set back was turned into a lesson. And every lesson has turned into a stepping stone.

I got into education because I wanted to help people, women particularly. When I see my former students or stylist succeeding, its a win for me! I had someone help me along the way, I call her my Fairy God Mother. My hope is that I can be that for someone!

My advice is: Keep going! It’s just that Simple: Get UP and go Get Everything and Anything YOU Want!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into your business story. Tell us more about the business.
In my current role, I service Aveda Salons throughout MA, RI, CT, NY. I facilitate hair color education. This includes, but not limited to new techniques, basic color theory, color formulation, and proper service soft skills. This is all based on Aveda Curriculum. I’d like to believe that I’m helping people obtain their individual goals.

I am most proud when I see former participants and students succeed in real time. It’s a win for me to know I’ve helped in some way on your path.

As a stylist, I specialize in color, cutting, and healthy hair maintenance. I make sure that whoever is in my chair leaves feeling relaxed and beautiful. My motto behind the chair is: no strand left behind.

I think my obsession with knowledge sets me apart. I am constantly trying to refine and add to my skill set. This allows me to share with other stylists as well as keep me on the cutting edge for the guests behind the chair.

Never stop learning!

It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I’m obsessed with Podcasts! But I think most of them just keep me laughing as I spend a lot of my time in the car driving from salon to salon. But laughing is wellness in itself:
The Read
The Friend Zone
Those are my favorites!

Industry Podcast I listen to:
The Thriving Stylist
Hairbrained Conversations

Inspirational books (for me):
The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team
The 5 Love Languages
#GirlBoss
Fierce Conversations

Contact Info:

• Phone: 617-597-7634
• Email: Sheldavi@Aveda.com , Shelayne.Davis@Gmail.com
• Instagram: @Living_Color_Education
• Facebook: Shey Davis

Image Credit:
Shey Davis

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