We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ebonie Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ebonie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

What Would I Change About the Educational System to Prepare Students for a More Fulfilling Life and Career?

Recently, I visited two of Albuquerque’s top cosmetology schools. Both schools were teaching the basics hair, skin, nails, but what struck me most was how different the culture and vibe were at each. Despite having similar curriculums, the students seemed to be in two completely different mindsets. That visit made something I’ve felt for years even clearer: there’s a lot about cosmetology education that needs to evolve.

I graduated cosmetology school about 20 years ago, and shockingly, from what I’m hearing from current students, not much has changed. Sure, we still learn about color theory, cutting, styling, and sanitation, and all of that is necessary. But what we don’t learn is just as important.

No one teaches you how to interact with clients or coworkers. No one prepares you for the reality of looking for your first job, or what it feels like to walk into a salon as a brand-new stylist. I left school thinking I was ready to launch a business. I set up my own space in my home: a shampoo bowl, a hair station, a closet converted into a dispensary. I thought people would be knocking down my door. But they weren’t.

What I didn’t know then was how much I still had to learn. I didn’t understand how to consult with clients, how to build trust, how to price my services, or how to sell retail. I didn’t know what a good profit margin looked like or how to track it. I realized quickly: I needed to learn from others. That led me to a job at the JC Penney salon at Coronado Mall.

That’s where I learned another hard truth: competition in salons can be cutthroat. I was a new stylist, desperate for mentorship, but often treated like an outsider. Watching others work was how I learned, seeing how they interacted with clients, how they sold products, how they carried themselves. They may not have known they were teaching me, but they were.

This is why I believe cosmetology schools need to go beyond the basics. We need to teach the “in front of the chair” skills, how to market yourself, how to track sales, how to set pricing with confidence. Even commission stylists should understand the business they’re part of. Too many new grads feel lost, and they shouldn’t have to figure it all out on their own.

We also need to talk about culture. I’ve walked into salons where I wasn’t acknowledged, and as a seasoned stylist I should have been prepared for that type of feeling, but it still took me by surprise. I can’t imagine how that feels to someone just starting out. Teaching students how to evaluate the culture of a salon, whether it’s inclusive, supportive, and safe, is just as vital as teaching them to cut hair. They should know how to find a space that helps them thrive, not one where they feel invisible.

In short, I’d love to see cosmetology education evolve to include more real-world prep: business basics, mentorship, and community. It’s not just about technique—it’s about helping people build careers and confidence.

Ebonie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a licensed cosmetologist, extension artist, salon owner, and educator with over 20 years in the beauty industry. But more than that, I’m someone who’s walked the long, winding road of building a career in this field, from struggling in my bedroom-turned-salon to leading one of Albuquerque’s premier extension and color-focused salons today.

When I graduated from cosmetology school, I thought I was ready. Like many new stylists, I believed that clients would be knocking down my door simply because I had a license. I quickly learned that wasn’t the case. There was so much I didn’t know, about consultations, about client relationships, about running a business, and about how to thrive in a competitive, sometimes unwelcoming, industry.

So I got to work. Over the last two decades, I invested heavily in my education. I took advanced color classes, became a certified and licensed extension artist, and learned the art and science of my craft from some of the best in the industry. But I didn’t stop at technique. I also dedicated time and money to learning the business side of beauty, how to set pricing, manage finances, brand myself authentically, and create a sustainable salon culture that serves both the stylist and the guest.

In 2014, I opened my first salon: Oooh Girl… Who Did Your Hair? Salon & Spa. It was a reflection of me—my personality, my style, my dream. It was a space that I created for me, and it served its purpose during an important chapter of my life.

But then the pandemic hit. Like so many small business owners, I had to pivot. I closed the doors on Oooh Girl and reimagined everything. That’s when E. Noir Extensions and Color Salon was born. Unlike my first salon, this one was created with the guest in mind. E. Noir is about experience, transformation, and confidence. It’s about providing expert-level services in color and extensions while also creating a welcoming, inclusive, and empowering environment for every person who walks through our doors.

Today, I not only run a thriving salon, I also give back to the community that raised me. I speak at cosmetology schools, mentor new stylists, and offer real-world education that goes far beyond what most schools are currently teaching. I talk about business strategy, pricing, salon culture, and how to navigate the emotional side of being a beauty professional.

What sets me apart isn’t just my technical skill, it’s my commitment to the whole journey of being a stylist. I’ve lived through every phase: the beginner with no clients, the stylist fighting for space in a cutthroat salon, the first-time salon owner who had to learn everything the hard way, and now, the leader who’s passionate about helping others succeed.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the success of E. Noir, it’s the stories I hear from students and stylists who say, “Because of you, I didn’t give up.”

My mission is simple: to elevate the beauty industry by empowering the professionals in it. Whether it’s through services, mentorship, or education, I want to make sure no stylist feels like they’re navigating this path alone.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Absolutely. One of the biggest pivots in my career—and my life—happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. But to really understand that shift, I have to take you back to 2014, when I opened my first salon: Oooh Girl… Who Did Your Hair?

It was my dream salon at the time. My husband sold his fully restored 1963 Chevy Impala to help fund it, and we poured our hearts into creating a fun, inclusive, family-style space. We had pink and Tiffany blue walls, and we did everything, from haircuts and color to massage, nails, waxing, relaxers, and weaves. Men, women, and children—everyone was welcome. At our peak, there were 10 stylists, a massage therapist, and me. It was lively, warm, and community-driven. We hosted salon BBQs and anniversary parties. It felt like home.

But in 2017, I started exploring the world of extensions. That curiosity slowly started changing the direction of my career. Over the next few years, I began refining the salon’s focus. By the end of 2019, the team had shifted, some stylists had moved on, and others I had to let go as my vision evolved.

Then COVID hit.

When we were forced to shut down, it was just me and one other stylist left. We were closed for three months. I didn’t know if we’d survive, not just financially, but emotionally. There were so many sleepless nights wondering if this was the end. I was deeply grateful that my landlord was understanding and didn’t charge rent during the shutdown, but the weight of the uncertainty was still heavy.

During that time, my sister, who is also my salon manager, and I started talking about what it would mean to really start over. Not just survive the shutdown, but come back stronger, more aligned, and more intentional. We began with small things: repainting a wall, redoing the floors. And by 2022, we went all in. We rebranded completely, changed the name to E. Noir Extensions and Color Salon, and rebuilt from the inside out, new furniture, a new website, a new Google page, and most importantly, a new mindset.

E. Noir was built with the guest in mind. I wanted to create something more high-end, more focused, more transformative for both the client and the stylist. But that pivot didn’t come without pain. One of the hardest parts was letting go of clients whose services I no longer offered. Some had been with me for years, and a few were upset with the change. That broke my heart. And of course, there was fear, so many people told me I would fail, that I was crazy to shift gears during such an unstable time.

But I kept going.

Today, everything is different. I feel deeply connected to the clients I serve. I specialize in color and extensions and am able to provide not just great hair, but an amazing experience. I’ve also grown into a leadership role—one that I take seriously. Finding and mentoring stylists is a challenge, but it’s one I embrace fully. I’ve invested time and money into learning how to be a better leader, because I have a deep passion for guiding the next generation.

This pivot taught me that I can do hard things. That the voices telling me I can’t don’t get to define me. That I’ll never know everything, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to be a student of my own journey, to make mistakes, fall flat, and still keep moving forward.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building my reputation in the Albuquerque beauty market has been a combination of authenticity, consistency, and a relentless commitment to education and guest experience.

First and foremost, my guests are the heart of my business. Their loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals have been key to my growth. I often hear from clients that they feel truly seen, heard, and pampered—not just styled. Many of them have shared that their experience at E. Noir Salon is unlike anything else they’ve encountered in New Mexico. We don’t just deliver great hair, we create a space where people feel uplifted, confident, and cared for.

What sets E. Noir Extensions and Color Salon apart is that every detail is intentional. From the services we offer to the energy we bring into the salon, everything is designed with the guest in mind. We specialize in color and extensions, and we’ve created an environment that feels high-end without being intimidating. Our mission is to connect and uplift both our guests and the beauty professionals we mentor—helping everyone lead a balanced, beautiful life.

Education has also played a huge role in building my brand. It’s a core value at E. Noir, not just for me, but for my entire team. I’ve invested heavily in my own growth over the years, working with two business coaches, learning new extension methods, taking social media courses, and enrolling in ongoing online education to stay ahead of the curve. I’m currently training in two new extension methods and preparing to take a mesh integration class next year to help women experiencing severe hair loss.

But I don’t just learn for myself, I share everything I know. I speak at cosmetology schools, help rising stylists understand what the industry is really like, and I’m currently building the E. Noir Stylist Academy, an in salon program dedicated to mentoring the next generation of beauty professionals. The goal is to equip them with both technical skills and the mindset, business knowledge, and emotional intelligence it takes to succeed in this industry.

We also maintain a strong, authentic presence across social media, Google, and Yelp. I talk openly about who we are, what we value, and what guests can expect. Our online reputation mirrors what people feel when they walk through our doors: trust, transformation, and genuine care.

Ultimately, I believe my reputation was built on staying true to my values and always evolving. I don’t believe in gatekeeping knowledge. I believe in lifting others as I grow, leading with integrity, and providing an exceptional experience every single time—both in the chair and behind the scenes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.enoirsalon.com
• Instagram: @ebonie.enoirsalon
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eboniehairsylist/
• Other: Google: https://g.co/kgs/TaLYuR4

  Salon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enoirsalon

  Salon instagram: @enoirsalon

Image Credits

Sierra at Greenlee Photography