Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashay Blakely
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started out in the hair industry very young. I was a junior in High School at Dutch Fork. I signed up for the cosmetology program they offered in partnership with Irmo High. A few friends and I signed up to take that class and it consisted of us traveling to Irmo from Dutch Fork every other day. I decided to take this route because my passion was custom wig creation and hair modeling at the time. I did hair shows locally and for Bronner Brothers
working with some of the top stylist in the nation. That passion came from my grandmother, who passed away when I was in middle school to stage 4 breast cancer. Regardless of how she felt, my grandmother would wear her Sunday’s best on Tuesday just because she could.
Her passing made me want to step into the market of helping those who needed me, the hair loss industry. It paired perfectly with the fact that I already was making wigs, so in 2014 I gradated with my cosmetology license and diploma. From there I knew the learning wasn’t over, I enrolled into Midlands Tech on a life scholarship to study everything business and started working in the salon I modeled for. Within 3 years I graduated twice, once for my degree in business and marketing, secondly a certificate in entrepreneurship. During this process, I actually founded and created Crowing Eminence, November 16th, 2016, now known as Eminent Hair Studios. I created wigs from raw hair that I got imported directly from Cambodia, had release parties, and even a few influencers, It came with extreme trials and I learned the most in this phase.
One day the salon I was working with notified me we had to shut down. It was abrupt and I wasn’t prepared to go anywhere else. My dad and I searched for salons, my grades weren’t the best, and I was also in fear of my grad date being pushed back for missing one credit. Soo much was going on, until my cousin reached out to me and told me she has a space for me and it was only 3 minutes from my home. I was in there within the week! After a year of being there I was still looking for a stronger route into the hair loss side.
In 2017, God definitely heard and saw my works because shortly after this request I uttered, I was put into contact with my now great friend and prior trainer, Jessica Turner. We talked for hours the first time we connected via phone. She worked for Tony’s HRS which had already been in business 38 years at that point, specializing in non-surgical hair replacement units. FINALLY, only they didn’t currently need help. But, that was okay because not even a month later, I was getting called back for an interview as the head stylist was leaving. I nailed the interview and started working May 2017. The experiences and the people I met over the next 7 years working for Tony’s is still impacting me until this day. A friend of mine recommended us at Paul Mitchell to spread knowledge about the work we do and explain more than what a few pages can in a book, and that was by far my top fave moment. We went to trade shows and learned from experts from cosmetology to trichology to dermatology, we were soaking it all in. We even met Michelle Obama’s hair stylist, we traded off information about our businesses and ate well! I cannot even begin to put into this space how much I gained from working with Tony’s. I learned about accounting, running a business from the inside out, building relationships, etc.
After 7 years Tony’s HRS had to shut down. Tony’s wife was diagnosed with bone cancer, it was aggressive, and within a a few months, she was gone. By this time it was just Tony and I running the shop, and mainly me as he couldn’t leave her. It was hard, stressful, and beyond tough. But, I was being built to do what I am today. That is owning and running Eminent Hair Studios. I promised Tony that if I was able to find a space and take care of the clients would he let me do that, he agreed. In this I told him I want to hire him to help me and show him the same appreciation and care he showed me when I started. I had less than two weeks to open this new shop, the clients even helped me get funds all together, and I was still working in the other salon and closing Tony’s. We finally did it, with the help of family, friends and clients Eminent Hair Studios was up and running officially and legally in December 2023.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been smooth at all, for over 7 years I stayed to the grind, missing out on a lot. Between school, two jobs and making sure I had a definite career was more important than hanging out and going on trips. On top of that I wasn’t always great at the work I do. I remember putting on units side ways, losing clients even some friends. And one thing that’s going to happen for sure no matter what business you open, is losing money too.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Eminent Hair Studios?
Eminent Hair Studios is a brewing powerhouse of small businesses. What most don’t know is that I’m only 28 and started this when I was 20 and we are minority female owned. We serve those dealing with any issues under the umbrella of alopecia as well as chronic illnesses that cause hair loss. We specialize primarily in Non-surgical cranial prosthesis units (hair units) no matter race, color, creed, gender, religion or sex. We can find any medical unit necessary to fit client needs. From creating custom medical cranial prosthesis to regular hair styling and scalp care we can do it. If there are new advancements I do my best to stay on top of what we can do to give client to most realistic and comfortable fit for daily wear. Outside of focusing on the customer appearance we also focus on how they feel about themselves with hair and without. Eminent Hair Studios changes not just hair, but lives. I’ve seen confidence materialize in front of my eyes through the widest smiles and even some tears. I can personally say I spoil my clients, they get free drinks, snacks, customer appreciations, the suite is available to them only, private bathroom, they can watch whatever they like, I work with their schedules before and after hours. Most importantly, I’m quick but efficient so no wasted time and still have time to pay attention to detail. So yes, they are spoiled and I’m proud about it. If they go else where, they will compare that experience to me and I’m the standard to beat.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy. . . I will say that has changed recently. I use to think that having my own salon and money was it, until I started acquiring these things. They add to my happiness, but the source of my happiness comes from hearing my maternal grandmother scream her joy and praises in her Geechee accent about how proud she is. Or seeing my mom, dad, and brother support and be there for me every single step of the way from pep talks to physically giving me the hugs I need. My family & bestfriends telling me they are proud and supporting my business. The clients that show up for me in more ways than just a stylist to client relationship, I made genuine family. All of these things make me happy because its just little hints of God making himself present to me and that im on the right track.
Outside of that I love to write poetry, ride horses and listen to live soul music. I’m pretty simple. Haha.
Pricing:
- Consulations are FREE!
- Discounts up to 35% for Military and Cancer patients.
- Models receive benefits! Ask how.
Contact Info:
- Email: eminenthairstudios@gmail.com
- Instagram: @eminenthairstudios
- Website: www.eminenthairstudios.com
