Hi Pamela! Tell us a little about yourself...
How did you become the hairstylist you are today?
My journey started when I was a young girl, with a mother who struggled to manage my hair at a time when there were very few products, tools, or resources available. Learning how to care for my own hair became something deeply personal, and from an early age I developed a passion for helping people feel confident and good about the hair they have.
In high school, I was introduced to a cosmetology program and stayed in it for three years. My teachers and classmates often encouraged me, as my skills were already quite advanced. That early validation gave me confidence, but more importantly, it sparked a strong sense of motivation in me.
I then began an apprenticeship in a fast-paced salon in Etobicoke, where I was thrown directly into real-world experience with little preparation. That environment shaped me quickly and taught me a great deal.
When I became pregnant with my first daughter, I realized that traditional salon hours were not compatible with motherhood. I shifted direction and opened a home-based salon in my father’s basement, working six to seven days a week while breastfeeding. In 2016, with only one month’s notice — and just one week before giving birth to my second daughter — I was told I could no longer continue in that space. In a moment that could have felt overwhelming, I searched “salon suites” on Google and quickly found a new space to move into. What seemed like a setback turned out to be a blessing.
From there, my growth was rapid. I outgrew that space in less than a year and, in 2018, moved into a studio above a gym. That chapter taught me to see challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities for growth. I elevated my business, rebranded, built a website, and took care of all the behind-the-scenes work that truly changes the game.
That phase pushed me to ask myself a deeper question: what do I truly love about my work? The answer wasn’t just hair — it was how people feel when they leave my chair. The ability to create a space where someone can sit down, release what they’re carrying, and walk out feeling lighter, renewed, and elevated — with great hair as a bonus.
That realization led to the rebranding of Elevate Beauty Lofts, where beauty comes after how you feel. In 2019, I opened our Etobicoke location. We were supposed to open on April 1st, 2020 — right as the world shut down due to COVID-19. The opening was delayed by three months, and financially it was terrifying. But my faith kept me grounded; I believed I would not be guided somewhere I wasn’t meant to be.
When we finally opened in June, we had a 10-week waiting list. Even when we were forced to close again that year, what carried us through was the understanding that we were more than a salon — we were a community. A place where people feel seen, heard, and valued. A space where stylists and clients support one another.
That journey has shaped me into who I am today — resilient, faith-driven, committed to growth, education, and constant elevation, while never forgetting to invest in the people who invest in you. As we enter our sixth year in 2026, I’m proud that our doors are still open, our values remain intact, and that I’ve chosen a brand that truly reflects my vision.
Everything I’ve been through has taught me to respect who I am — personally and professionally — and never compromise that, inside or outside of Elevate Beauty Lofts.
Why did you choose MOOD and what does it mean to you to be a Brand Ambassador?
MOOD came into my life when I least expected it — and in hindsight, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. From the very beginning, it felt aligned. MOOD represents intention, quality, versatility, and longevity — values that deeply reflect the way I work and run my business.
What stood out to me first is that MOOD supports real stylists working with real people. It’s rooted in family, care, and respect for individuality. There’s something for everyone, and everything is created with intention — from performance to sustainability, and even simplicity. The numbering system alone makes life easier in a busy salon, especially under pressure. The pricing is accessible for everyday clients, and the entire line delivers a true sensory experience. And honestly… the scent? It transports you. It sets the mood the moment you start using it.
Creating the right atmosphere is a huge part of the client experience, and the name says it all.
When MOOD entered our salon, I felt inspired in a way I hadn’t experienced in a long time in my career. I quickly fell in love with it — so much so that I couldn’t stop talking about it. I started sharing it organically, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. Especially knowing we were the first salon in Ontario — and among the first in North America — to carry the line, it felt special and right.
At home, I used to joke, but with real intention, saying to my children: “MOOD will see how much I talk about it, and one day I’ll work with them — you’ll see.” I even promised them that when that day came, we would all go to Italy to see where it all began. That’s how strong my belief in authenticity is — I want to know the people, the story, and the heart behind what I align myself with.
When I received the email asking me to become a Brand Ambassador, I accepted with tears in my eyes. It was so much more than a title. It was alignment, belief, and a moment of showing my children that when you lead with passion, integrity, and intention, doors open in ways you could never imagine.
Being a MOOD Ambassador represents trust, shared values, and purpose. I am extremely proud to stand alongside a brand that reflects not only how I work, but who I am.
January often feels like a “reset” moment. What does change mean to you, both personally and professionally?
For me, change has always had a seasonal rhythm. I love the changing of the seasons because each one offers a natural opportunity to pause, reset, and set intentions for what’s to come. January, in particular, feels like that collective deep breath — the moment where we can realign ourselves and choose how we want to move forward.
For me, real change always begins internally. Before anything shifts in the external world — in our work, routines, or relationships — it starts in the mind. It’s about transforming intention into belief, belief into habits, and habits into the way we show up every single day.
Professionally and personally, change means honestly looking at what works and investing in it, and just as importantly, recognizing what no longer serves us. The things that drain us, distract us, or keep us rushing instead of being present. Whether it’s overworking, scrolling instead of resting, losing focus behind the chair, or habits that pull us away from balance — sometimes change simply means pruning those branches so new growth has space.
January invites us to start again with intention. To ask ourselves deeper questions:
What do I want more of this year?
How do I want people to feel in my presence?
What do I want every client sitting in my chair to say about their experience?
We can do beautiful work with our hands, but real transformation happens when we fully believe in ourselves — when we reconnect with our “why.” That clarity creates emotional change. And once the mind shifts, everything else follows.
When the mind is grounded, even the energy changes. You move with purpose, not pressure. You become rooted, intentional, and unstoppable — and that is where real change lives.
What do I want every client sitting in my chair to say about their experience?
We can do beautiful work with our hands, but real transformation happens when we fully believe in ourselves — when we reconnect with our “why.” That clarity creates emotional change. And once the mind shifts, everything else follows.
When the mind is centered, even your energy changes. You move with purpose, not pressure. You become grounded, intentional, and unstoppable — and that is where real change truly lives.
How do you bring new energy into the salon at the start of a new year?
At the end of the year, I always take intentional time to pause and reflect on how I want the next 365 days to look. In my church, we choose a word during the year-end offering — and I apply the same concept to my business. I choose a guiding word or intention and let it shape the energy, decisions, and direction for the year ahead.
From there, I bring the team together for a kickoff meeting. We reflect on what worked, what we want to grow, and what we want to protect and keep consistent. It’s about alignment — making sure we’re all moving in the same direction with clarity and purpose.
I also invite a small group of loyal clients to give feedback. I ask what they love, what’s working, and what could be improved. It makes them feel included and valued, and it keeps us connected to the people we serve. That dialogue is essential — it reminds us that this is a shared experience.
Bringing new energy doesn’t always mean big changes. Sometimes it’s subtle — a new scent when you walk into the salon, seasonal flowers, a special coffee aroma, or thoughtful little details that make the space feel fresh yet familiar. We think about how people feel during the darker winter months, how we can lift their mood, and how we want them to feel stepping into spring — renewed, inspired, and cared for.
Whether it’s client appreciation moments, seasonal experiences, or simply refining the way we show up, the goal is to make guests feel that although they are walking through the same doors, we are constantly evolving.
Running a business is like a relationship — you can’t become too comfortable. You have to nurture it, stay curious, and keep things intentional. I never want our clients to feel taken for granted. I want them to feel seen, valued, and excited every time they walk in.
How important is it for you to rely on products that are truly professional?
Trust is everything when someone sits in your chair. A client is not only trusting you with their image — they are trusting your recommendations, your judgment, and ultimately, their hair. Especially for a first-time client, that trust carries a lot of vulnerability.
Professional performance and trust go hand in hand. If I’m creating a blonde with integrity, products matter. If I’m styling a look that needs to last through four days of meetings or events, products matter. If I’m smoothing textured or curly hair while protecting its health, products matter. It’s not just about how the hair looks when the client leaves — it’s about how long that feeling lasts.
For me, true performance means longevity, versatility, and reliability. My clients need to be able to recreate the look at home without me standing beside them. They need to understand how their hair should feel, how it should behave, and how to maintain it day after day. That only works if I fully believe in what I’m putting in their hands.
Behind the chair, products must support creativity, not limit it. Whether I need structure and texture for an updo, or a smoothing serum that adds shine and control, I need to know the product delivers on its promise. If I’m not confident, the client feels it immediately.
At the end of the day, we are not magicians — the products we use amplify the creativity in our hands. With MOOD, I feel completely confident that everything performs exactly as promised, allowing me to work with intention, integrity, and trust every single time.
What are your intentions for this new year — for yourself and for your clients?
Entering 2026, I’m not setting traditional “resolutions” — I’m setting intentions, both for myself and for Elevate Beauty Lofts.
On a personal level, the focus is clarity, presence, and intentionality. I want to be more mindful of how I spend my time and energy, constantly asking myself: “Is this aligned with my values? Does this serve the life I am building?” Whether it’s how I show up online, how I create, or how I share, I want everything to come from purpose, not pressure.
One of my biggest intentions is to be more present with my family and my children. I’ve worked hard to create a life that gives me the luxury of time, and now I want to use it with intention — with connection, laughter, and presence. And yes, that also means fully enjoying life: more travel, meaningful moments, good food, an espresso in Milan, and time with the people I love — including my little furry sidekick, Sandy.
For my clients and my salon, my intention is rooted in growth, care, and community. Everyone who walks through our doors is family. I want every stylist at Elevate to see their full potential — to grow in confidence, build loyal clientele, and feel valued for who they are. I want them to feel supported, appreciated, and nurtured, just as much as they nurture others.
I hope to create meaningful moments throughout the year — through events, shared experiences, or simply showing up consistently to support people. While I do have visions of growth and expansion for Elevate, I am allowing everything to unfold organically. I’ve learned that the most beautiful things happen when we trust timing.
There will always be challenges and difficult moments along the way — but you can’t recognize elevation without going through them. We need darkness to appreciate light, and without rain there would be no flowers. My intention this year is to continue growing with faith, gratitude, and trust — knowing everything is unfolding exactly as it should.
Hairstyles by Pamela Facey