Meet Betsy Smith of Sunny Hair Days in Encinitas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Betsy Smith.

Betsy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up I was a great student, sailing through school, and ended up with a bachelors degree from a small Midwest private university. After graduation, I worked in retail management and the corporate world, only to find myself struck with wanderlust and the desire for artistic freedom. Although I loved the business side of management, I felt I was missing something. I really wanted to love my job.

I then began to passionately interview all those around me that I admired, those that seemed fulfilled by their jobs. Surprisingly the hairdressers won! I remember vividly the day my hairdresser cut off my mullet, I was seven years old. I wanted to share that feeling of empowerment and fresh perspective with others. So two decades after that life-changing haircut I enrolled in the Aveda Institute of Cosmetology.

After getting my cosmetology license, I worked in a variety of salons, and finally, in 2017, I started Sunny Hair Days as an independent hairstylist. Although it was a scary move at the time, I have been blessed with an awesome clientele in an amazing community. My clients help me be a better person and artist, and in turn, I love co-creating with them to help them feel their very best inside and out.

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?
There have been a lot of ups and downs along the way, for sure! In 2014 my husband and I moved to North County from Columbus, Ohio, and it was a bit of a culture shock at first. I had to start a clientele from scratch without knowing one single soul! However, constantly inspired by the sun and the surf, we fell in love with the community in Encinitas and have decided to raise our son here.

Every time we feel bummed out, we just go to the beach and feel grateful to be in such a beautiful place! I think deciding to be an independent artist was a struggle, I lost a lot of sleep because I felt loyal to the family I had created at my salon. However, I’ve been lucky to maintain those relationships and continue to grow above and beyond my imagination.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sunny Hair Days story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m a low-maintenance type of gal that loves to spend time on the beach or playing when I’m not at work. So I understand what it means to want to keep it simple, especially when it comes to hair coloring and styling. I specialize in hair color that grows out softly, so most of my clients get 2-4 highlights a year.

I also love dry haircutting, so that clients with super-thick or super-thin hair have the perfect amount of movement and shape they are looking for. I’m also a professor at San Diego City College in the Cosmetology program, so I”m passionate about education!

Being an educator helps me be better at my craft, and my students keep me on my toes!

I’m always on the look for new trends. As a mom, I’m also very cautious when it comes to chemicals and toxicity. I love hair color (I’ve had grey hair since 2001), so I am constantly striving to use beauty products in my salon that are clean.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I think another word for luck is a miracle, so yes I think that I have had miracles in my life! I believe that if your vision is clear enough on what it is you desire that the Universe will conspire to help you make it happen.

The most recent stroke of luck was finding the creative studio at Solomon + Co where I currently have my salon chair. Not only am I able to be in my favorite little surf town, but I’m surrounded by local artists that keep me inspired.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1114 N Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas, CA 92024
• Phone: 6142073562www.sunnyhairdays.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: sunnyhairdays
• Facebook: sunnyhairdays

Image Credit:
ZJSmith Design

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