We were lucky to catch up with Chanelle Ellington recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chanelle , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned how to braid at 3 years old, thanks to my big sister. Pair that with frequent trips to the hair salon with my Mom as a kid and my passion for hair had been ignited. By the age of 7, I would spend hours looking at black hair magazines and try to recreate those styles on myself. In middle school, I became the neighborhood braider and would have my friends over afterschool to do their hair. I quickly realized that being a Cosmetologist was the path I most wanted to follow in life and I volunteered to do every persons hair that would let me, just so I could learn. This continued on for many years even after I was licensed and working in the field. I would sit in a Barbershop and take notes, then go back to the neighborhood and cut hair on the porch for little to nothing, to practice what I had learned. I did the work and took all the criticism to make myself a better, well-rounded Stylist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am the owner of Shears2Stars Star Quality Haircuts in Durham, NC. I am a creative Stylist that has blurred the lines between Cosmetology and Barbering. Although I specialize in Men’s Haircare, I play both sides of the fence when it comes to the hair industry. Anybody can sit in my chair and leave with a smile and a fabulous new hairstyle.
Shears2Stars is more than a Hair Salon. It is a place of transformation, where tools and talent combine to bring out the best in every person’s life I’m privileged to touch. I want my clients to leave not only looking better, but feeling refreshed inside and out. We joke, we laugh, sometimes we cry but overall we have connected. They are presenting themselves to the world in the best way possible with a boosted self-esteem. That’s really what I’m the most proud of.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Honestly, I have had quite a few pivots along my journey. There were times in my career where I realized that what I had my heart set on doing may not have been what I was best at and had to adjust accordingly. There were jobs that I was happy and content with, but they just weren’t the best for my growth as a Stylist and Entrepreneur.
Most importantly, life took over when I had my son. I transitioned from full time Stylist, working 60+ hours a week, to Stay-at-home Mom. It was an experience like no other. I learned the value of time and patience like never before, among other things. I came back to the industry as a better person with a renewed outlook on my life and career as a whole.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

For so long, I have been driven by an obsession with learning everything I could about all hair types. My new goal is to have my work showcased on the big screen for the world to see. I think it would be amazing to sit back and watch movies or TV shows and see my creative work live and in color.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Shears2stars.booksy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shears2stars
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shearstostars
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@shears2stars
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shears2stars

Image Credits

Tyree Thomas of Ivistofoto
Timothy Kionte of tkeyephoto
Jay Marrow of Jamorr Ent.
Chanelle Ellington of Shears2Stars