Your Hairapy Session with Emily: Recent Episodes
Emily Mazour
Believe it or not Emily Mazour (@portlandhairstylist) had no desire to becoming a hairstylist. She quite frankly and kind of forcefully fell into it. Now, having been in the industry since 2006 hair is her absolute passion. For this podcast she tells her own journey with hair. Her struggles and successes. On the show she also interviews salon owners, stylists and other entrepreneurs who have made an impact in the Portland community as well as beyond. Messy, funny with quite a few swear words the show is a treat to listen to whether you’re a person behind the chair or one sitting in it.
When I first met Mandana it was at Ken’s Artisan Bakery up on NW 21st in Portland, OR. I reached out to her because I wanted to hear more about Zibahub and what her company stands for. We spent a good hour and a half talking back and forth about work, motherhood and trying to balance it all. That was over two years ago. Since then we’ve become good friends. She’s really helped me grow, listening to my ideas about the show and she’s been a solid person to connect with.
Alright amazing beautiful peeps Episode 25: My One Year Podcasting is out! Located on @spotify, @amazonmusic, @applepodcast and @YouTube. Sponsored by @zibahub and editing by @One27_
it's been crazy! Initially this podcast was to document my journey to becoming a salon owner, but after checking out spaces, my kiddos entering the toddler phase and realizing I wouldn't be able to balance it all my perspective has changed. Well, at least for now. On the show I've met some really incredible talented individuals who not only care about their craft, are making things happen, but truly care about others. And I have realized because of this show how fortunate I am to have met them and have a great conversation.
So please enjoy the show! And I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has been on it: @laurennpdx, @that_fkry_lady, @josettepdx, @ambrosiacarey, @pdx_black_unicorn, @andrea_gildedfox, @beautyvotes, @passionsquared, @brittneyryanhair, @handsgameofficial, @aliwilsonhair, @kristencontempo, @presleypoe, @lexijohnnyhair, @rabbitbrushgoods, @authentically_dakimamarie and @jhillman_hair, @carrieblasco. Thank you guys so much for being on the show! I've really enjoyed spending time with you all.
And a BIG shoutout to Mandana creator and founder of Zibahub and my pals at @One27_. Thank you for believing in me and being along for the ride!
Last year like many I was feeling totally frumpy. So I booked with Jimmy Hillman. I’d been following him on IG and really admired all the work he creates. While sitting in Jimmy’s chair we talked about the hair industry, Portland and about supporting each other in this field. He then went on to tell me him and his friend Carrie Blasco are looking at opening up their own salon. Because of how he treated me as a client, the attention to detail to my haircut, and just by listening to him about his salon endeavor with Carrie I knew immediately I wanted them on the show. And Carrie is just as thoughtful, kind and authentic and it was such a treat to interview her as well. And by the way guys. This is our third attempt at interviewing and I’m so glad I nailed it this time! LOL!
If you are a stylist looking for a new hair home Concrete treehouse Salon or a client interested in listening to three stylists who are incredibly passionate about hair you won’t want to miss this.
Interview on April 27th 2021. Sponsored by @zibahub and editing by @one27_
What I really love about my interviews is the flow of the conversation and where it’ll lead. Dakima Maria has quite a story and I felt completely honored for her to open up to me. You never know the hardships someone has faced and their journey until you sit down pay attention and listen. And her story is incredibly inspiring.
Dakima has been in the industry for over 20 years. She now has a salon in Vancouver, WA and one in Las Vegas. She is not your average hairdresser. She’s a pioneer, an entrepreneur who is continually growing and moving forward. Oh yeah guys she’s also a kick-ass mother of five. Thank you so much Dakima for giving me the opportunity to get to know you and I’m looking forward to connecting with you again!
Please enjoy listening to my conversation with @authentically_dakimamaria. Interview on Tuesday March 16th of 2021. Sponsored by ZibaHub and editing by One27 Media House.
What I absolutely love about Portland is the amazing creativity of small business. Unique ideas coming into fruition. Portland supports the interesting and quirky and our community especially supports local and small business that have a low impact on the environment.
Ruby Oland has been playing around with hair products for a long time. Her hair color is a dark chocolaty brown and when applying a white hair powder to her roots it would leave a light residue on the roots and through-out her hair. So she made a dark hair powder which is now one of her best sellers in her haircare product line @rabbitbrushgoods. Her shag spray is also a big hit. Which by-the-way I have and it’s absolutely amazing! Entrepreneur, caring for the environment and our furry friends her product line is sold both nationally and internationally. Down-to-earth and open I had such a great conversation with Ruby. Oh yeah, she’s also an incredible singer and songwriter which one of her songs “Born in the West” plays at the end of this episode and I’ve been playing it over and over again at home with my kiddos!
Please enjoy our conversation. Interview on March 11th of 2021. Editing by One27 Media House and sponsored by Zibahub.
I first started following Lexi IG when she had booked a photo shoot with a photographer who I had worked with quite a bit, Holly Seeber. I then just started following her and her hair journey. I reached out to her when I found out that she started working at @yniquetouchsalon. I interviewed @handsgameofficial for episode 14 and Y’Nique said how nice and down-to-earth Lexi is. You never know who you’ll cross paths with and doing this podcast and reaching out to individuals it’s been pretty cool to meet kind-hearted, like-minded individuals especially in my home town. What I’ve found is there always something that I can take away as a hairstylist and also as a person with the conversations I have with my guests. Lexi is an absolutely beautiful soul and has this light about her which you don’t see often and I feel very honored to have her open up and have a conversation with me.
Please enjoy listeing to this epside with @lexijohnnyhair. Interview on Friday February 12th of 2021
I feel like this is such a great subject to talk about. My ideal client. My ideal client has changed over time. When I first started leasing about seven years ago I was all about fashion colors and doing these incredible photoshoots to showcase my avant-garde haircuts and colors. And those were the types of clients I would get in my chair. I still do a ton of fashion colors, but I realized that the type of person sitting in my chair and the person that I am now has changed.
I can't really tell you if it's better to specialize, like balayage, fashion colors, haircutting or coloring, but what I can tell you is that to me the most important thing is not the type of hair my clients have, but the person wearing it. Finding a connection, building trust and creating great hair is very important for me. Getting to know who is sitting in my chair.
Please enjoy this episode and I would love to hear your thoughts on this as a a hairstylist or if you are a client sitting in the chair! Oh yeah, I name drop just a few of my favorite peeps! @that_fkry_lady, @snalia and @ryanmruark
For my engagement photos I had booked a color correction with @presleypoe. I had this gnarly golden yellow hair with of course different shades throughout because I'm terrible with upkeep! lol! Well, after seven hours sitting in her chair she transformed my hair to a beautiful silvery lavender. It was so fun to sit and be a client. Hairdressers work hard and sometimes it's even difficult to get our own hair done!
It's never easy messaging hairdressers or entrepreneurs saying, "Hi, I'm a hairstylist and I have a podcast, I love your work and would love to get to know you more and have you on the show." Sometimes I'll get no response and then others I’ll get a hell yeah! I shot Presley a DM thinking why the hell not. I've looked her up online checking out her other interviews she had done and of course I follow her on IG. I even gone to one of her color classes at Salon Centric. She responded immediately and was stoked. It was really cool. Again and again Presley Poe blows me away. She's been in the industry a few years longer than I have and she is just as passionate about the hair scene as when she first started. Super chill and down-to-earth I had such a great conversation with Presley. I'm really excited about her work and I'm extremely excited for her new endeavor which by the way is absolutely F#$@ing GORGEOUS! Please listen to my interview where we talk about hair, art and Presley Poe's next venture. @goldsalonexperience
Interview Tuesday January 12th 2021
Welcome MO FO 2021! Who else is excited!? Well, to start off the new year my first episode for 2021 is with someone who I completely admire and respect. I stumbled upon Kristen Varoli’s podcast In Demand Hairstylist and immediately I liked it. That was during the time I was considering starting my own and not knowing where to start I reached out to Kristen. Extremely personable with a kind heart it was really great of her taking the time to speak with me. Since then we’ve had two other conversations via phone and of course through IG and Facebook. Kristen Varoli is also a salon owner of @contempoartistries in Pittsburg, PA. Having been in the business and behind the chair for over fifteen years, Kristen has decided to make the move from Greensburg to Charlotte so that her and her son can be closer to family. Being a stylist, running a salon and also being a mother can be difficult and challenging at times, but Kristen is making it happen and making it happen successfully. Please enjoy my interview with @kristencontempo owner of Contempt Artistries. Badass business woman and supermom. Interview on Sunday December 6th of 2020.
Hey Everyone, I’ve got some BIG NEWS and see you later 2020! 2020 has been a hot mess; uncertainty, feeling down and not quite myself I realized that I needed to re-evaluate with what I’m doing and what I want. I’ve been with 77 Salon for over five years and I’ve made some really great memories, but now it’s time for a change! As of Sunday December 27th I’ve started working at NW21 Salon located in the Alphabet District on NW 21st in Portland, OR. It’s literally less than a minute driving to get there as well as walking distance from 77. It’s a much smaller salon with a cute boutique style. For now it’ll only be me and the owner, Chelsie, which is great because I can pick her brain about business. She knows my dream to one day becoming a salon owner and is totally cool with it! And bonus she’s also a mother of two boys! Thank you guys for listening to the first year of my podcast and following along with me on my hair journey! Please enjoy listening to this episode! Welcome 2021 and see yeah later 2020!
Happy Holidays and Exciting News
Hello Beautiful Clients!
I hope that you are well, your family is well and all safe. This is year has been a hard one on everyone and in all different forms. I remember being a hairstylist during the economic crash in 2008. Then I was going through a divorce and losing a home. It was devastating, but not like this. This is different, but I’m hoping and praying that 2021 will be a better year.
One thing that I’ve realized like many others during this time is re-evaluating your life and direction. It’s interesting. There are people moving to different jobs, actually moving and even starting new businesses. I’ve talked about owning my own salon, but with the kiddos being so little it just not possible right now, but … here’s the BIG NEWS…
Moving to NW21 Salon!
Starting Saturday January 2nd!
This is absolutely nuts, but NW21 Salon is located on the same street where I first started leasing seven years ago. The salon is located between NW Johnson St. and NW Kearney off of NW 21st in the Alphabet District, 822 NW 21st. Not far from 77. You’ll also find coffee shops like Sterling Coffee Roasters and Coffee Time close by who are still up and running. There are also several restaurants who are still in business and would love your support by ordering take-out. And Trader Joe’s and Elephant’s is just up the street. Boutique style in a half-basement with bright lighting, white styling chairs and white furniture NW21 Salon has a super chill, but high-end vibe when entering. NW21 Salon is a five-chair salon which I like a lot. Currently it’ll only be me and the owner, Chelsie. Chelsie has been in the industry for over thirteen years first starting her career at Urbaca for 10 years, then moving to Grace Salon for the last two. Her vision was to have her own salon and I’m so excited to be working along-side her and help her grow her business as well as mine. The salon is also Covid Compliant with proper sanitation equipment and procedures and the ability to maintain six feet social distancing from each other. I did tell her my own goals of one-day owning my own salon and she is totally cool with it. What’s also cool is she has two kiddos of her own the youngest one five and in school. So I can pick her mama brain!
I didn’t take this move lightly. I’ve been with 77 Salon for over five years and it’s absolutely been the best salon that I’ve ever worked at. I remember my friend Janelle every so often mentioning I come over to the salon. Then I was working at Ward Stroud’s Salon. Timid that it was so big I met up with April and made the decision. I feel very honored to have had the opportunity to work alongside April. She’s very open and trusting and I have a lot of respect for her. She’s also has given me several opportunities, understood what I was going through after having the twins and has been a solid person. She’s opened another location in Hillsdale which is really cool and exciting and I wish her the best as well as the 77 Salon stylists.
At NW21 Salon we’ll be carrying RandCo. which I’m excited to play with and learn more. I know a lot of you are using Oribe and/or Kevin Murphy which unfortunately we will not be carrying so please consider purchasing through April’s Salon and not online through Amazon or another vendor. Every business need’s support right now.
Square Booking!
At the end of December I will no long be using Vagaro and will be using square booking only. It’s very easy to navigate and book. You can find the link on my IG @portlandhairstylist or website www.emilymazour.com.
It’s really exciting and nerve-racking to do a move like this, but I know in my heart it’s what I need and I feel you all will absolutely love. I feel also that I have not been my best self as a hairstylists serving you. Maybe a little negative, low-energy or not on my A-Game and for that I apologize. You are the reason I have this career and love what I do. And I feel very honored to have you as a my client.
Thank you so much for all of your support and coming along this hair journey of mine and yours too! I really enjoy seeing each and every-one of you and I look forward to pampering you up at NW21 Salon. WooHoo 2021!
PS – I’ll be airing a podcast about my new endeavor. Episode 17 of Your Hairapy Session. Found on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcast and YouTube.
Your Faithful Hairdresser,
Emily
Alison (@aliwilsonhair) just started working @77salon and immediately I liked her. Grounded, calming with the sense that hair is not for dummies we touch on a very sensitive subject. One of the worse things about hairdressing is thinking you've done a really great job, feeling that you've made a really good connection and then realizing once your work leaves the door that's not the case. You ask yourself, "Could I have done something different? Could I have talked less and listened more?" There are so many emotions rolled into that cut and color. For me what helps with those hiccups, or the not so great moments of hair is processing it through talking with other stylists and it was great to have the opportunity to discuss this with Alison.
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Please enjoy listening to Episode 16. Oh yeah, we do a little improv where I'm Tony Soprano and Alison is a guy called Al. Listening back to the episode I feel that I could have put more emphasis on my gangster accent. Shout out to @laperlitapdx and Alison’s coffee of choice @coavacoffee.
Have you ever been in a situation where you're like..."Sh$! this isn't turning out how I want it." Well, I have. Whether the conversation was off and there was miscommunication or I ended up not doing such great work. It's humiliating, humbling and you hope to make it out alive. For this episode I talk about two of my most epic fails and what I've learned from them and hopefully you too whether your are newbie to the field or a veteran at hair. We're human, we will make mistakes, but admitting your faults, learning from them you'll eventually persevere, become a better stylist and create some really kick-ass hair again.
Y'Nique Wright’s (IG @handsgameofficial) journey to becoming a salon owner is an interesting one. Originally from Portland she made the decision to go to North Carolina to not only receive her certification in hairdressing, but before that she completed a Bachelor's in Business knowing all along her goal was to become a salon owner. She had opened her salon @yniquetouchsalon right before our shutdown in March. Through hard work, perseverance and Faith she now has a very successful salon. I'm using a reference by @brenebrown when I say Y'Nique's journey is The Hero’s Journey. Please enjoy my interview with Y'Nique Wright owner of @yniquetouchsalon. Interview on Sunday October 11th of 2020. Show written by me, sponsored by @Zibahub and editing @one27_
In 2008 the economy crashed. I was going through a painful divorce, my house was going into foreclosure and I was also suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness. From 2008-2009 I was hospitalized three times. Two voluntary and third not. After attempting suicide I was put on an intense schedule of trial and error with medication, working with doctors, a therapist and mandatory group meetings for Bipolar Disorder. Please listen to this episode where I go into my struggles with the illness, how I thought I was done with hair and how through determination, perseverance, education and the help of the Affordable Care Act I am now living a much healthier and happier life. I also list information for websites to go to if you are suffering from a mental illness or if you have a loved one that is diagnosed.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work for the stars? You know, do their hair and makeup and be a part of the beauty industry for film? Well, Brittney Ryan (@brittneyryanhair) has over fifteen years of experience in the hair and beauty industry. Currently she works at @studio37salon in Huntington Beach her home town and when she’s not behind the chair she travels to LA to work on various film and tv shows. She has been Jessica Alba’s stylist for the last two years first meeting her on LA Finest. Stylist, momma of two and working for the stars please enjoy listening to my interview on Your Hairapy Session with Emily with Brittney Ryan. You can also view our interview “Your Hairapy Session with Emily” on YouTube. Oh yeah you guys and she is a downright sweet and kind-hearted person. My favorite people.
Nina L. Kovner, creator and biz coach of @passionsquared as over twenty-five years of experience in the hair industry. First starting out in beauty school in Falls Church, Va to VP of Global Marketing for Paul Mitchell, she’s pretty much done it all. Now with Passion Squared she has created a brand to help out hairdressers and other creative entrepreneurs to help find their brand. Please enjoy listening to our interview. Interview on September 29th, 2020.
Nicole Hollis has been in the beauty industry for over 10 years. First starting off as a sales rep for Fraxel in LA, a non-invasive laser skin therapy treatment to help diminish lines to working for Salon Centric as a sales rep in Portland, OR from 2011 - 2017. In 2017 she decided to move back home where she started her journey to create her own company Emma Intelligence. Emma Intelligence is an AI system that helps customers find the right hair and skin products without the trial and error of going to the store. Now, with the current events and the 2020 presidential election being one of the most important she has created the campaign Beauty Votes. Beauty Votes is a nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign to encourage people to vote from all sides and to educate. Interview on Thursday October 1st of 2020.
I met Andrea last year when my friend took a curly hair class at her salon. Andrea Neal-Thiesen Owner of Gildedfox Salon has owned her establishment for the last four years. Her salon specializes with curly hair. Please listen to our interview where we dive into how she started her own hair journey, why she decided to specialize and how she became a salon owner.
When I first started my podcast it was to interview salon owners and stylists who have made an impact in the Portland community. I wanted to use this podcast to gain knowledge so that one day I can be a salon owner, but because of the unfortunate events and the reoccurrence of Black Lives Matter my direction has changed. To be more honest and truthful because I'm white and most of Portland is white I realized that I had been living in a bubble. There are many talented individuals in my beautiful city and I want to make sure that all are heard. Jess Vanterpool is the creator of @pdx_black_unicorn a directory for black hair friendly salons. Please listen to our interview where we dive into topics of hair, BLM and the election to come.
So on my journey to becoming a salon owner I've actually considered a partnership. So what does a partnership entail and how does it work? Well, Josette Arvidson and Ambrosia Carey are co-owners of Auric Salon located on NW 23rd in Portland, OR. Both passionate, driven and forward-thinking I had the opportunity of getting to know them a little more personally. Enjoy listening to this episode.
For episode 6 I talk about living on the coast, how I moved back to Beaverton, finished my program at Northwest College of Hair Design, and apprenticed at FADA hair salon.
Have you ever worked in a toxic environment? Or have you felt toxic? Well co-author of Fuckery and business owner of Radius Lori Eberly is here to help. Her company focuses on enhancing self-awareness, identifying damaging habits, and fixing broken systems.
Team players are my jam. As I mentioned in my earlier episodes I've been doing hair for over thirteen years. I've been in salons where I felt that my efforts were not appreciated or noticed and then I've worked in places where I felt my efforts were important and the extra work to bring people together was worth it. I feel right now with Covid-19 and the injustice out there this is something that I feel is important for everyone. AND something that people need. People crave to be heard, they crave for community and they crave to belong. Doesn't matter if you're into hair or not. People need to feel of value.
I am a huge advocate of hair care products. I've began to research which product line I'd like to carry when I start my salon. Bumble and Bumble was founded by hairdresser and entrepreneur Michael Gordon in the 1970s and has since become one of the most respected names in hair care products. Here is my interview with Bumble and Bumble representative Lauren Newton of the Portland area.
For this episode I talk about how I fell into doing hair, what beauty school was like and my journey to becoming an owner.
I start off by telling you a little bit about myself and what led me to becoming a hairstylist. I then take this opportunity to announce the next big step in my career.