Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Teel.
Ashley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up on the coast in San Pedro, CA but spent most my time with salt water in my hair and sand between my toes on the beach right off Redondo Beach Pier. My journey started when I enrolled in Los Angeles Harbor Community College as an art major in 1999. I wasn’t quite sure which direction I was going in but knew as long as I had a pencil, paintbrush, and some paper I would be just fine. It wasn’t until getting my bachelor’s degree in multimedia design at Loyola Marymount University in Westchester, CA 2002, that I knew something had to change. There was no way I could spend the right of my life in corporate America using a computer and a mouse to design and create my future. It wasn’t who I was of even feed my soul.
I left and took a leap of faith and jumped into Gower Studios in Hollywood, CA and became freelance makeup artist for the studios. It was a wild ride of photo shoots, print ads, special effects, events, and weddings. I had so much fun creating everything from horror, glamour, avant-garde and 2d design elements. It was not until a friend of mine suggested I attend cosmetology school to become more accessible on the movie sets. That was the first time hair ever crossed my mind. So on a whim, I took a chance and signed up a local beauty school in the area. I mean what do I have to lose right?! From the first time I walked in, I knew in my heart that’s exactly where I needed to be. I instantly fell in love. I got to finally use color and design in my own way. It blew my mind that something so challenging could be so rewarding. For the time, I got to be my true authentic self and transform people emotionally, mentally, and physically on a very deep level. Not many people have a chance to do that.
After finishing beauty school and receiving my license, I was so eager and excited to jump right into my new career. It was the hardest thing i have ever done. I moved around a bit until I landed in Hermosa Beach, CA at a local barbershop where I really started to learn and dig deeper into the hair game. Since then, I have done nothing but hustle hard, take a billion classes, and really hone in on what I really loved the most out of doing hair. My first love and passion will always be that transformation of color and texture that moves throughout the design of hair that only I can create. As the years moved on I landed my current job, still in Hermosa Beach, but this time at Maximus Salon. It is a very cool, hip, family friendly salon full of talented hair stylists just doing their thang. Here we are a family. We are true friends and teammates. We lift each other up and create together. It is a pretty great feeling to know I’m a part of something so amazing.
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 took years struggling and many tears to get to where I’m at. Moving into my own apartment, leaving the barbershop, going booth rent and starting my own business at Maximus Salon was the most challenging and humbling experience yet to come. I was so broke, struggling to pay bills just to stay afloat. On top of everything else, I have inflammation of the body which caused so many issues that there were days/weeks I couldn’t even do hair. It got to the point that I was even told to give up the hair industry and do a desk job. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY I GIVING UP ON HAIR. It ran thru my blood, it is who I am and my purpose in life. No one was ever going to take that from me. It made me fight even harder to gain my rightful place at the top of the hair industry. I started on the long trek of recovery when I found a personal trainer and acupuncturist to get me back on track. Through a special diet, exercise and maintenance, this is where I found my peace. I WAS BACK! And just like that, everything fell into place.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
Here at Maximus Salon, I specialize in color. From blonding, balayage, creative vivids, and edgy, textured cuts and style. One love of mine is creating stylish barber cuts for the gentlemen. With my background in color and design, I’m most proud of the high quality and care I put into every individual that sits in my chair. It is about taking the time to truly understanding what your client’s needs are while maintaining the upmost integrity of the hair. What sets me apart from everyone else is that my clientele is family to me. They are not just another face. They have been with me through all the ups and downs. They have seen me grow as well as I get to be a part of their lives and families. I get to wake up everyday totally in love with what I do and it shines through in the every meticulous detail I put into their hair. My clients know that with me, it more than just getting your hair done, its someone who really knows them but takes their time it actually get things right. I use all top quality, healthy, and cutting edge products to get the job done. I fully educate my clients to make sure that when they leave me, they look and feel just as fabulous up until the next time we meet.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up was fun for me. I had two of the most hardworking parents a girl can have. I remember living in a tiny two bedroom apartment, sharing a room with my older sister. My mom worked full time as well as my dad pulling all-nighters at two jobs to just to pay the bills. It was tight, but my parents always spoiled us and gave us everything they could. I never had a worry in the world. I was a crazy, fun, carefree little lady with alot of heart. From as early as I could remember, my imagination was wild and took me on my own adventures. I was always coloring, painting or creating something. My mom was very artsy, so I learned everything from her. As I got older, I got into Disney films and characters. That’s where I started drawing and creating my own versions of the movies and wanting to become an animator. I was completely fascinated with how u start with one drawing and make it completely come to life through film. This is where my love for design set in. I just didn’t know it then.
Pricing:
- Blonding sessions $150+
- Balayage $225+
- Creative vivids $200+
- Full highlights $185+
- Partial highlights $150+
Contact Info:
- Address: 419 Pier Ave. Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
- Phone: 3105281576
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @ashleyteel_
- Other: Maximus salon
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