Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Wells.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Emily . So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a hairstylist that moved to San Diego from Dallas when I was in high school. I prefer to cut and color hair without the idea of gender being an issue. If it’s a fade or a cropped style, it’s one price. When it’s medium or long, it’s a different price. Regardless of who you are. I’ve been in the beauty industry since I was 18. I turned 30 this year and feel more passionate now than ever. Working at the Paul Mitchell school on 410 A street for the last year has opened my eyes to the next generation of artists and them. Are. Fierce. I’m now at The Lab salon in North Park and specialize in haircutting, hand-painted balayage and up styling. I love edgy and original fashion and trains of thought. I love the underdogs, the renegades, the alternative souls who want to express how different they feel and I’m honored to be the one to create that with them. Outside of creating hair art I sing, play guitar, paint and protest when necessary.
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?
It never has. I’ve always been given challenging hands of cards. I moved out of my mom’s house when I was 17 to get a job to help support our family. I enrolled in cosmetology school a year later on the east coast and the school lost my transcripts and then closed down. I ended up going to hair school twice. The journey was an uphill battle and the craziest scenario possible. All the red tape. All the roadblocks. I refused to take no for an answer. If I could give any piece of advice to young women is that not-so-good feelings are part of the healing process and if you want something you may have to fight harder than you ever have. Don’t ever settle… and know you’re damn worth.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Lab a Salon story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m proud to have been an educator for Paul Mitchell and mentoring aspiring hairstylists who have had rough pasts or had to similar state board battles. I think that my intimation is empowerment, self-love, beauty radiating from within, healthfulness, free of gender bias or social norms.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I think that women can be highly intuitive and be connecting, really engage with a person or audience can be powerful and captivating. Public speaking, public office, coaching, counseling, theatre, those are positions that really move me and make me cheer women on when they’re winning. Also athletics, I love when women can lift as much as men or compete in big CrossFit championships and slay it!
Contact Info:
- Address: The Lab a salon is located at
3034 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92104 - Website: Thelabasalon.com
- Phone: 619-727-8035
- Email: emelizabethwells@gmail.com
- Instagram: Emilywellsart
- Facebook: Emily Yogamaya Wells
- Twitter: None
- Other: None
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