Sam Villa educates and inspires stylists behind the chair and throughout their careers. Recently we caught up with Sam at Premiere Orlando where he was hosting in-depth live classes. On the subject of education Sam says, “To help the ‘hairdresser’ to understand, it begins with Live Education as it continues to be the most important asset to the industry. An asset that must not be lost, as the craft of hairdressing, depends on the ability to connect with others and express knowledge and skillset in a very interpersonal way…. go to classes and get to shows!” He has always aimed to help others grow, which is why we wanted to learn more about his career, who has inspired him, and the steps he took to get where he is today. Keep reading to hear more!
You are one of the most inspirational and motivating educators we know – who inspires you?
I find inspiration in a variety of people and things. I would have to say the people who have most greatly inspired me have been my parents. They taught me the value of a good reputation and to always remember that if you can help people get what they want, you will get what you want.
My biggest inspiration at the moment is my son, he is teaching me an entirely different way to look at life…to understand and approach it creatively. He makes me think differently about how to connect with today’s world, how to see things uniquely and how everyone’s perspective is valid. His passion for life, his little creative brain, and his eternally happy spirit motivate me. He may not know it yet, but he has taught me so much, and I try to infuse my shows and classrooms with the spirit and lessons he shares.
Who were your mentors throughout your career?
I have been very fortunate to have some awesome mentors in my career, Bob Kinkaid (1st salon owner I worked for), Sharon Hayashi (1st major company I worked for), Christine Schuster, Sheri Doss and Chris Baran (Redken) and Blair Singer (facilitation coach). I have been very fortunate to cross paths with these people who have invested in my success. A good mentor is committed to helping their mentees find success and gratification in their chosen professions. Mentoring requires empowering the mentee to develop their own strengths, beliefs and personal attributes.
They shared their knowledge with willingness, skills, guidance, and expertise to move my needle as a teacher/facilitator/showman in the hair industry. They empowered me to develop my own strengths, beliefs and personal success, and I am forever grateful.
What is your favorite moment so far in your role as Redken Global Artistic Ambassador?
During my time as a Redken Global Artistic Ambassador, I was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Professional Beauty Association at the NAHA Awards in 2017.
Awards represent achievement and to a certain extent more about whom you are as a person because they show desire, ambitions, goals, and accomplishment. For an industry that has given me life in my career, it is an absolute honor for that same industry to give tribute to my achievements. All I’ve ever wanted to do in this business is to teach, develop and watch others grow. This Lifetime Achievement Award speaks to that commitment.
Quick: favorite tool/product combo of the weekend and why!?
My favorite tool has to be the Sam Villa Sleekr, because I can do almost anything with it, create texture or bone straight hair! My go-to product of choice is Redken One United, simply because of the 25 different ways to use it!
If there was one thing, what do you hope stylists will take away from this weekend?
Education, Education…information that stylists can use behind the chair!!
I hope hairdressers walk away learning how to facilitate their thinking at the chair!
I hope hairdressers walk away learning how to cultivate their dreams!
I hope hairdresser walk away learning how to overcome their struggles at the chair!
I hope hairdressers walk away learning how to communicate wealth!
I hope hairdressers walk away learning how to add value at the chair!
I hope hairdresser walk away learning how to create an experience at the chair!
Apart from in-person education, what are the top ways stylists can further their skill set this year?
Video education has always been a great resource for developing a skill set…nothing like grabbing a Sam Villa ‘Lydia’ mannequin and following along. At Sam Villa, we want to provide education that’s easy to understand and easy to implement behind the chair so hairdressers can add value to their services. Therefore, we have created a new platform that offers more than our educational soundbites, a platform where you can see a video in its entirety from beginning to end.
The Artist Studio is a monthly subscription that offers:
-24/7 access to learn at member’s pace and on their schedule
-New videos added every month and organized into playlists for easy navigation
-Exclusive full-length content not found on any other platform
At Sam Villa, we want to make hairdressers better hairdressers, and we believe in doing that through the process of education.
What is your #1 goal for the year ahead?
To help the hair industry understand how there is a need for people to adapt their approaches to keep up with the changes. It has been said that the only thing that is constant is change and this is certainly true of our industry at the moment. The expression ‘disrupt or be disrupted’…today’s hairdresser must understand change forces us to look at things differently and to adapt to the new order or we will be left behind. The emphasis at the moment is about creating a ‘value-added experience’ in the salon and at the chair. Remember, price is what they pay, value is what they get.
To help the ‘hairdresser’ to understand, it begins with Live Education as it continues to be the most important asset to the industry. An asset that must not be lost, as the craft of hairdressing, depends on the ability to connect with others and express knowledge and skillset in a very interpersonal way…. go to classes and get to shows!
True hairdressers struggling for fresh inspiration have the option of turning to digital education, it’s fast, convenient and affordable, even free…. however, it is important not to neglect in-person education and hands-on classes! It’s important to balance your education diet. See you at a LIVE event!
For FREE education, special promotions and weekly inspiration and online workshops, be sure to sign up HERE!
Looking for even more hair care and styling tricks, be sure to stalk Sam Villa Professional on Bangstyle and check out all of his tools in the Bangstyle Store!
