Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Geremia.
Ashley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been doing hair since 2008. “Doing hair” for me is so much more than just an in and out service – it has become my passion, my creative release and my full time job. As soon as I entered the salon environment, I became extremely passionate about coloring, blonding, and styling. I spent the first two years of my career as a personal assistant to salon owners in both RI and MA, where I gained extensive one on one color and cutting training.
Fast forward 10 years, multiple salons, endless hours of standing on my feet and traveling around the world to do what I love – I am now a hair coloring specialist located in Providence, RI, and the proud co-owner of a private creative space called Sage Hair Studio.
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?
Hairdressing is not for the faint of heart. Starting any business takes dedication and skill, but hairdressers truly are a dime a dozen, and it takes a lot of energy, effort, and education to succeed. At my first salon, I made a very small commission and was not paid hourly, something that is very common in this industry. Starting out, I would work 2 to 3 jobs per day in order to pay my bills and move forward in my career. I was not able to do hair full time until nearly 6 years later, and I never looked back.
My biggest advice for young women starting out in this industry is to learn as much as possible from everyone you meet – there is always something to learn, and you might not get your dream job right away. I once told a salon owner I specialized in color, so he made me take hair cutting classes and did not allow me to do anything but cut hair for six months straight. At the time, I was frustrated, but looking back it was one of the best educational experiences.
My final advice is not to be discouraged by social media, followers or likes – I feel like one of the last generations of hair dressers who started their clientele before social media began. Your quality of work, not your quantity of clients or followers, is what will give you longevity in this industry and the clientele of your dreams. Be patient, and be passionate.
We’d love to hear more about Sage Hair Studio.
I believe that my energy, passion and over all approach to hair sets me apart from other stylists. Each client is so special and unique, and I want their hair to be a reflection of that. I am so proud of the connection I have with each of my clients, and being a part of their self-confidence and self-care routine is something I do not take for granted. I form a friendship with each of my clients and try to express their personality through their hair. I will go above and beyond for my clients – overnight shipping their custom dyed hair extensions, traveling to Italy to do their hair on their wedding day, FaceTiming them when they move across the country to teach them how to curl their hair the way I do. It’s constant and never ending work, and I absolutely love it.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Before I was able to work for myself, I always sought out salons that had a team of artists that inspired me. If I wasn’t moving forward and learning something new, I felt stagnant and uninspired. My advice is to never be afraid to reach out to someone who you want to learn from – and remember that community, not competition, is helpful in this industry. I find it extremely helpful to take one-on-one and online classes in any areas that I feel I can improve on, especially now that I am in a studio where I have to provide my own education.
Contact Info:
- Address: 168 Broadway
Providence, RI 02903 - Website: http://www.sagepvd.com
- Phone: (401) 383-8222
- Email: sagepvd@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ashley_geremia @sagepvd
Image Credit:
Michael Silvano Photography
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