Hidden Gems: Meet Samantha Dowell of Element_Stylez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Dowell.

Samantha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Los Angeles, California. I was in foster care growing up and was also adopted with me and my older sister Zenanie. I knew I was different back then just didn’t really understand how. I started doing hair at ten years old I learned from watching my older sister Deborah then proceeded to braid my Barbie dolls hair and practice; I guess you can say those were my mannequins. I then had real clients because Deborah would have clients, well her friends that wanted braids. I would also braid some of my friend’s hair at school during recess and lunch. I made money and saved and basically started buying the shoes I wanted so I wouldn’t get clowned at school I grew up wearing Payless and borrowing clothes and shoes. My adopted parents were middle class but didn’t care much about the latest fashion until one day I told my dad no one wears those can we please go to warehouse shoe sale. We did but I wanted more so when I made money, I went to the swap meet for my shoes. I attended LACC right after high school, I wanted to become an fbi or major in criminal justice. Things didn’t go as planned so I thought to myself what am I good at I’m like duh hair but that was a plan b for me because I didn’t want to do something I’m used to. I then signed up at Marinello schools of beauty located near Wiltshire and Fairfax at the time. I had great teachers, Ms. Nicole and Ms. Rita were the best teachers.

While I’m hair school, I worked and would take the bus all the way from the Eastside to west la just so I can do what I loved. The process or journey wasn’t easy but I didn’t give up. I didn’t finish the first time I left and came back and then graduated and then received my cosmetology license in 2014. While in hair school, I also assisted in shops my first salon ever that I worked during hair school was called precision vision owned by Israel he believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself thank you. I then I assisted alongside Mellodee and I also assisted Carolyn ford both are very great stylists and learned so many different skills and etiquette. Also Carolyn young put me in rooms that I thought I would never be in thanks to my best friend Shira Monae for believing in me as well to even refer me to Carolyn; I appreciate it. At the time, I was with a team of rising stars as she would call it amongst James and Helena. Back then, I wasn’t as focused and became pregnant and gave birth to my son David who is now six. I didn’t follow my dreams then I wanted to travel and do hair and become a celebrity stylist before I had my son but life happens instead I went to Maxine Waters were I then took a class to receive my CNA license. I never thought to do nursing but I love helping others and my adopted parents did caregiving when I was growing up and sometimes we would have to help out a little bit. I knew I was a single mom and had to provide for my son so I basically finished school and received my CNA license because I wanted to make sure he had great benefits and 401 k. I worked at the veterans home of California for about two years. I would still get off work and do hair as well as my off day. I guess you can call me superwoman more like an octopus but yes many tasks at hand. Thank god for Gaga she helps me with my son because being a single mother isn’t easy at all but I’m forever grateful for her.

I quit my job last year in June during the pandemic I just felt I outgrew that lane so I decided I wanted to spend more time with my son and just a flexible schedule and then I started assisting celebrity stylist Helena and I just was stoic about that opportunity within itself. I have been a few people with big following and who are well known as well as producers, artists, director’s entrepreneurs, etc. that goes back to say don’t ever give up on your dream your the only person who will get you to the finish line. I made for myself called Element Stylez because I’m versatile and I don’t just do one texture. I don’t have any preference when it comes to hair and it’s also different elements and styles of hair. I made that my business name. I have a few things up my sleeve for the future that you will hear about soon. I also started a podcast called Let’s Talk About it Success Storiez by Samantha on all platforms. It’s about you sharing your story because it’s not one specific way to be successful so what motivated you to want better for yourself and how and what made you not give up. Also, to motivate the audience give resources and great knowledge as well as a mini quick hairstyle for a lil fun while I’m doing my episodes so stay tuned as well for that. I want my guest to be real raw and straight to the point. I give entrepreneurs or upcoming artists a shoutout before I begin my show with my favorite top 5 where they can promote themselves as well and get following for the audience. I feel we all have a story and should be heard I always felt like the black sheep. If I can share my story and inspire someone, I will do that. I just have a testimony I want to share with the world it’s not easy but indeed possible. We get painted pictures but we need real facts and results. We want the when, why, how and where. For the future, I tend to do more for the community as well stay tuned for your girl, thank you.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It wasn’t a smooth road at all from being a single mom but wanting accomplish goals so your child wouldn’t end up the same way you did. I thank god for not lifting his hands off of me.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a licensed cosmetologist located in Los Angeles at Phabulous Hair Salon owned by Tecia. Basically, I’m building an online store beauty supply with professional products but retailed at affordable prices for the community. I want clients to protect their hair in the comfort of there’s homes in case they can’t make a salon visit. Element Stylez has a vision to have different projects but will eventually lead to one thing. My specialty are braids but I do weaves everything. My brand has been around for years and my clients know that I grow hair. I’m all about healthy hair. I have real results as well but I just feel we need more inisight about taking care of our natural hair first because that is very important. I feel like I set myself apart from others because I actually get to know my clients and make them feel their best. I always give them words of encouragement and make their visit worthwhile.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Yes, I’m definitely a risk taker. I took a big risk when I left my nursing job to become an entrepreneur. It was adventure, I should say because of the fear of the unknown. But you will never know unless you try. I went with my gut and just kept my faith in god. Taking a risk can be good or bad but so far, it has been good and I’m glad I took a risk because I definitely wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in now. That risk will take you where you need to go. Many are scared because they don’t have faith in themselves that they will be ok.

Contact Info:

• Email: Info@elementstylez.com
• Website: www.elementstylez.com
• Instagram: @element_stylez
• Facebook: Element Stylez LLC
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/TSzrdtjZoT4
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-about-it-success-storiez-by-samantha/id1582587715

Image Credits:
Tevin Brown