We were lucky to catch up with Renee Suban recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Renee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

When I was a young child I cut all my dolls hair but I didn’t stop there. I went on and cut all of my friends bangs all the way down to the scalp and told them it was beautiful. Lol. Both my parents and theirs were not to thrilled. I knew then that I wanted to help people look and feel their best.

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?

In the beginning, My very first job was working as a receptionist at an AVEDA hair salon. I drank the cool aid (haha) and that was the beginning of it all. I fell in love with the AVEDA product line and everything they stood for. I knew I had found something to be excited about. Something that lit the fire inside. As a receptionist I watched all the stylists turning out happy people with beautiful hair and wanted to get my hands into that too. So I then went on to cosmetology school. I worked behind the chair for a few years and then opened my own AVEDA salon and spa and had a blast with that for 11 years. During that time is where I was inspired to teach and help others look and feel their best on another level. Flash forward to today. I’m inspiring others as a Cosmetology Educator for DouglasJ AVEDA. Where I’m teaching everything about Cosmetology and all about AVEDA . It’s a slice of heaven for me. I get to inspire others in so many ways. I teach and show my students how to go after their goals and dreams. One of those ways is by taking groups of students to New York to do hair for Fashion Week both in the Spring And Fall. Most Hair stylists have never had or will ever have an opportunity like this during their entire career. So I’m super excited to be able to help these students catapult in their career right from the beginning. Im going on my 3rd year with this adventure. I’m also involved with a couple of missions where I volunteer my time aligning with the AVEDA mission. In New York the students get a taste of what it’s like to be a celebrity hair stylist by working with high end designers and creating awesome hair. Many of the students have had opportunities and job offers come out of their experience there and are moving on to big things. As for the missions, Ive been working with Amigos for Christ for the past 5 years In Nicaragua on a clean water project. You may be surprised to learn that more than one million people who live there still don’t have clean running water in their homes. So you could probably imagine how amazing that feels to be a part of something this big. It’s hard to describe. I also enjoy working with Love Runs out of North Ridge Church. Love runs is a running and walking group that raises money to restore, fight and bring awareness to fight human trafficking. Believe it or not one of the highest trafficking areas is right here in Detroit Mi.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Well this is an easy question. First of all by inspiring others they inspire me back. This is what keeps me going. I love to play a small part in the success of others by helping them realize and even achieve their goals and dreams.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes and it’s all about people. My heart grows when I see other people thriving. Life is short and sometimes people are never shown a way or given an opportunity to live the best life they can. So I love to help others when ever I can. I’m always looking for opportunities where I can make a difference in the lives of others. I consider myself lucky to be able to contribute in such a way every where I go.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Thebeautyschooleducator
• Linkedin: Renee Suban
• Youtube: Renee Suban
• Other: Thewildwoodsapothecary on TikTok