We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad’s 25 Under 50K competition, sponsored by Truss Professional.
Today, you will get to know Ellie Stommel (@thebangsbabe). She is a hairstylist at The Bangs Babe Studio in Orlando, FL.
Q&A:
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Ellie Stommel (ES): I love making miniatures. I took summer classes as a kid during summer breaks, and it’s still a fun hobby I keep up with!
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
ES: I started right out of high school basically. I was always that girl changing her color every week and cutting my bangs in the bathroom, so it made a lot of sense! I went to the Aveda Institute South Florida and started at my first salon while I attended school there.
BLP: What is your proudest accomplishment?
ES: My proudest accomplishment would be rebuilding my entire career. After a couple years of doing hair, I became a single mom. Super burnt out doing hair, I was feeling so lost in this industry. I took a chance and chose to take a step back to assist at a local high end salon. I decided to really just throw myself into education and give it all I had. If it still didn’t work out, I would move on from the hair industry, but I’m happy to say that it definitely paid off!
BLP: What is your current favorite hairstyle trend?
ES: Currently my favorite hair trend is probably all these 90s styles coming back – bouncy face framing layers and some textured bixies. I’m a 90s baby, so it’s fun to recreate all my hair crushes that I loved in pop culture growing up.
BLP: What is a tip you have for your fellow stylists who are looking to grow their following on socials?
ES: Be authentic in what you post. Your content will attract the kind of clientele and audience that connects to your vibe. Show up, take photos even when you’re not in the mood to and post the photo anyways.
BLP: What is a piece of advice about styling/working with hair that you have for your fellow stylists?
ES: Hair is art. It’s a beautiful medium that we get to create with. So, slow down and be intentional with your day-to-day clients behind the chair – They are your walking art projects.
BLP: What do you love about your work?
ES: One thing I love about my work is that I really try to find a balance in hair that has an edge but still feels feminine. Also, rebranding bangs from a bad decision to something is celebrated and loved. Haircutting is not an afterthought in my chair: It’s the main event.
BLP: What inspires your work?
ES: I’m inspired by decades of great hair in music videos and movies I grew up watching. Other influences have been rock music, western aesthetics and effortless big hair and texture.
BLP: What motivates you about the industry?
ES: One thing that motivates me about this industry is the insane amount of creativity and passion I see on a regular basis from other artists. I love the constant challenge of evolving my craft to keep up with all the talent I see. I don’t feel bored often but when I do I know the first thing I need to do is take a class to ignite my motivation.
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
ES: Getting into educating is probably the biggest goal I have going forward in my career. I have taught a couple classes locally, and it’s been a lot of fun. Working closer with brands I love to teach other stylists would be a dream.
You can learn more about each of our winners in our September/October 2023 digital magazine.
