Emma Page shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Emma, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity, always. Intelligence is important. Energy is a momentum driver. But integrity will always be a top trait for the people I choose to surround myself with.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve been in the salon industry for 14 years now, which is wild. I’ve worked behind the chair (of course), on music videos, on runways, as a mentor, as an educator, and in supporting businesses behind the scenes. It’s been fascinating to see the different sides of this industry and acquire the skills that come with each new avenue.
I think what makes my work unique, particularly as an extension artist, is the customization. I’ve been certified in such a wide variety of methods, and I really focus on matching the right method to the individuals lifestyle, scalp health, and texture/density needs because hair is so far from being a one-size-fits-all situation.
I also really prioritize efficiency. My clients have lives. Families, jobs, hobbies, etc. Whether it’s extensions or color, I’m always aiming for the fastest way to get to your end result, so that you can get back to living your life faster.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
My punky side. When I was younger, I was alt/goth/punk whichever label people threw at me. Crazy hair color, piercings, and an inherent need to question the way the world works. Questioning the status quo to look for a better way of doing things and believing we can build better systems and a better world is absolutely still at my core. However, as I’ve grown older, I find myself thriving in calm, consistent energy instead of the bold, experimental energy of my youth. I still have a few piercings, but my hair is it’s natural color. I prefer yoga class to rock concerts more often than not. Releasing the high-energy angst and replacing it with calm and consistent energy across the board is very much the phase of life I’m in.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
There are no wrong choices. There are only different paths. I spent my youth so wrapped up in “What if I pick the wrong thing?” about friends, jobs, school, dating, all of it. Looking back, I don’t regret a single minute of it- although I’m sure different choices would have led to different results. I think that life is messy, and we do the best we can with what we have. As long as we’re learning as we go, it’s not wrong, just a lesson.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That social media matters. I have seen so many INCREDIBLE stylists with full books that don’t use social media well or at all. And, to be honest, I’ve seen stylists with incredible social media followings that I watched turning out sub-par work with my own two eyes.
Social media is marketing, not reality. And the worst part about it is that the industry is turning to social media following as a prerequisite for education roles and platforming and all these other things that used to be based on skill of the stylist at hair. Being skilled at social media is a different job altogether. It’s photography, videography, and marketing.
Don’t get me wrong, it can be a useful tool. However, in a lot of ways it’s detracting from the skill behind the chair. Every hour spent watching a social media course is an hour that stylist would have been learning a new hair skill in the past. And there is education on social media, but it’s often only a snippet, not enough to really understand the technique being shown (by design- so you’ll buy the full course teaching it).
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I was kind. That I was a safe, welcoming presence for the lost, the lonely, and the outcast.
Out of all the things I’ve done and accomplished, that’s the only one that really matters to me.
I sincerely hope that when I’m gone nobody stands up and says “Oh, she was a wonderful hairstylist.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://verdandisalon.com
Image Credits
Morpheus Visuals
