Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Woodworth.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Elizabeth. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story began when I was about five years old and couldn’t keep my hands out of my mother’s hair. I knew then that I wanted to be a hairstylist. I loved creating and making beauty out of everything I saw. During beauty school, I assisted a talented Beverly Hills hairstylist. Delving into the details, was exactly what I craved. I was hungry to learn and I absorbed as much as I could from her.
My very first job as a hairstylist was at the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel in Montecito. It was definitely intimidating but I was up for the challenge. That’s where I knew I needed to be to grow and learn. Working there was incredible and the opportunities were fantastic. One of my regular clients was Bruce Johnston who is one of the Beach Boys. I also had the wonderful opportunity to style hair for the guests of Hillary Duff’s wedding. In my mind, I officially made it!
As time went on, I continued to want to grow my expertise and learn as much as I could. That’s when I moved to Los Angeles for a few months and received advanced intensive education at Vidal Sassoon. It was incredible! I now owned my craft. Color was my strong skill but now cutting was something I really understood and loved to do as well. From there my husband Matt and I moved to San Diego where we settled into Encinitas. I soon found my home salon at Divinity Salon and Boutique. I loved having my own business under the umbrella of the salon. However, building my clientele was no easy task but let me tell you that hard work really does pay off. Always being available and working many hours led to the very loyal and incredibly wonderful clientele I’ve built. My career was thriving. I had finally made my mark, fully booked; working with an assistant I had finally achieved my dream.
Then, suddenly after an epic day of fun and laughter in the salon, I found out I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. My life and career flashed before my eyes. I was devastated. All the hard work I had put into my dream of becoming a successful hairstylist was being threatened to the very core of my being and I had no control over it. Well, it’s been three years since that day that my world was turned upside down. During that time I have grown into the person I’ve always wanted to be. Not living in fear and giving up control and allowing Jesus to lead me through my life. That’s when Salon Elizabeth was born. I had to find a chemically clean environment to work out of. One that is free of formaldehyde and ammonia as well as many carcinogenic ingredients in styling products. It was an absolute blessing to open my new clean air salon.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The salon industry is one that is constantly evolving and changing. Always being at the top of my game has always been of the utmost importance to me. I never wanted to be a hairstylist that did the same thing on every person. Each person is unique and needs different techniques to enhance their natural beauty. Education has been my guiding force to a smooth career. Having knowledge of what the latest trends with cut and color are is what has allowed me the confidence to produce beautiful results that the clients love. It is finding the balance between work and life that is my biggest struggle. When you love what you do, it can be hard to keep that balance in check.
Salon Elizabeth – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Salon Elizabeth is a place for women and men to take a break from the fast pasted world we all live in and relax while enjoying a beautiful ocean view. At Salon Elizabeth, we specialize in the latest cut and coloring techniques including balayage, foliage as well as French haircutting and bridal styling. We also provide makeup services including airbrush makeup. Our color line is ammonia free and PPD free. My exclusive hair care line is Neuma. It is a trusted, sustainable brand that has ZERO synthetic fragrance, phthalates, isothiazolinones, sulfates, parabens, bromides, sodium chloride, 1,4-dioxane, gluten, soy, neurotoxins, aluminum compounds, glycols, formaldehyde donors, ureas, FD&C colorants, carcinogens or environmental pollutants. Our motto is beauty starts from within. We pride ourselves in taking the whole person into consideration. Health and wellness can encompass a world of beauty. At Salon Elizabeth, we are at the forefront of making hair salons a healthier place for everyone.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success may not be what it is for so many other people. My idea of success is to be excited to wake up in the morning with a smile on my face knowing I get to do what I love. People and creativity have always been the driving force in my life. Having the opportunity to care for and connect with people daily while making them feel beautiful inside and out. The freedom that comes with owning your own salon is really incredible as well. It allows you to create the perfect environment that supports you to be the best that you can be. Not only creativity but personally and professionally too. That is what I love so much about my career in the hair industry.
Contact Info:
- Address: Salon Elizabeth
Studio #38
Located in Salon Republic
1555Camino del Mar
Unit 203
Del Mar, Ca 92014 - Phone: 323-204-2651
- Email: lizziewoodworth@gmail.com
- Instagram: @salonelizabeth
Image Credit:
Gabrielle Fox Photography, Brooke Ziegler Photography
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