Stevie Anne Smith
Author: Jackie Simmons
With her roots in the Midwest city of Cincinnati Ohio, Stevie Ann Smith has devoted her expansive career to serving both her clients and her fellow hairdresser. In her angsty teens Stevie moved to Atlanta Georgia where her curiosity was piqued by accompanying a friend to a salon appointment, thus beginning her apprenticeship and her now 31 year old illustriously creative career. Stevie travels throughout the Midwest as an educator for Wella and takes a unique approach to originative learning. Stevie and her partner Michael Davis have owned Smith and Davis Salon for 6 years, continuing their culture of education in the Chicagoland community. With stellar in house training, Smith and Davis offers continuing education to their staff as well as outside stylists during which you can earn CE hours by attending.
What hair trend do you foresee having its moment in 2019?
Bolder bangs, heavily layered shags
You already own a salon and educate within it, what prompted you to travel to teach as well?
I love new experiences! The travel itself is exciting. Meeting people from all different backgrounds and demographics is invigorating. I learn so much from immersing myself in the local culture of wherever I am and makes me a more well rounded person.
Why Wella?
I had been using their color line for 10 years or so. I was impressed not just with the quality of their products but their relationship with Stylists and Salons. I wanted to be a part of this bigger community of passionately driven hairdressers. First I enrolled in the Master Color Certification classes and got to know the Instructors at the Studio and met some Educators in the field. It was the personal connections that solidified my decision to pursue permission to audition for the Design Team.
How do you balance home/work life
Something I’m working on. I haven’t quite found that balance honestly. My partner at Smith & Davis is also my husband so it gets blurry. We try to actually have a meeting time that we agree on rather than discuss work stuff while making dinner. He will sometimes travel with me when I teach and we take a day for ourselves. 2019 is hopefully the year I find that balance!
How long have you been in the beauty industry?
31 years!!!!
How long have you been a business owner?
A little over 6 years
What qualities do you look for when adding to your salon family?
Passion! If the passion is there then they will be on time, looking good, eager to learn, eager to share and up for challenges. We want people who are excited to come in on their day off and do a photo shoot or take a class. This isn’t a job. It’s a career and it takes time build and grow. Passionate people are willing to put in the time and effort to cultivate and nurture their craft.
What was something in the industry that was difficult for you early on, but you’ve learned to overcome?
This is a good question. I had for many years a feeling of inadequacy when around certain groups of people because of my choice to not go to college. I never felt intellectually inferior but I thought people would not recognize my intelligence or judge me for my path. This was all in my mind by the way. As much as I love being a hairdresser and never regret my decision I did go through a period of thinking I wanted to explore getting a degree . Having started at 16 years old I had 15 years experience and was only 31 and feeling underwhelmed and bored. Ultimately after many conversations with myself, people I respect in the industry and outside, I realized why I actually was looking to go to school and that was for the degree not because I didn’t want to be a hairdresser. I didn’t feel passionate about getting a degree like I did doing hair so what I shifted was my mentality. I decided to challenge myself and set goals. I knew there was much more to this industry than 40hrs a week behind the chair and I wanted to be a part of it! Once I opened myself to those challenges I didn’t hold the college degree as being important anymore. Higher education comes in many forms not just a degree. My father in law who was a rocket scientist (for real a rocket scientist) told me “knowledge gained is knowledge gained, however that knowledge is obtained”.
Who is your hair hero?
SOOO many! Sassoon of course. I saw Antoinette Beender’s many years ago (maybe 1997) on stage at Rockefeller Center and I was blown away and continue to be impressed by her. So creative and elegant.
Aubrey Loots is an incredibly positive influence on me. Not just because of his talent but his approach to life and his commitment to sharing his knowledge and experience with everyone & anyone who wants to board the Aubrey train!
It may sound silly (but it’s 100% true) that my partner, Michel Davis, is my biggest hair hero. I actually met him at a class he was teaching. His approach to cutting is incredibly thoughtful and meticulous. Yes, he taught me how to cut hair but most importantly he encouraged me to pursue avenues I never would have otherwise. He pushed me out of my comfort zone because he saw my potential and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
In addition to hair what are your creative outlets?
Photography and exploring art and history. I go to lots of museums, big and small.
How do you relax?
Some would say I don’t relax! Haha! I am an avid reader and I have a vast collection of photography books as well. I love researching whatever random obsession I have at the moment.
What makes you a hair nerd?
Because I love both the art and the science of hair. I can get real deep into the anthropological perspective all throughout history across many cultures. While the aesthetic aspect was the initial appeal I have been enjoying more of the science and technology side. That has been a great advantage of my access to a brand like Wella that is truly in the forefront of technological advances.
What are some notable milestones in your career?
Opening Smith & Davis, my audition for Wella, being asked to do a presentation at North American Trend Vision 2018, NYFW (dream come true), first time seeing a photo I took of my work printed (Estetica). Every time one of my Apprentices finishes their program and has their Soirée.