OUR TEAM
Meet our friendly team of professionals who can't wait to welcome you to our award-winning salon!
- #1 Salon in the 2020 Times Colonist Reader's Choice Awards
- Voted the Best Salon in BC in 2020 and Best Hair Stylist 2019: Philip Ferreira
- Award-winning master stylists with over 30 years' of experience
- The only official Bellami Hair Extension certified salon on Vancouver Island
- Certified to offer Japanese hair straightening and Cezanne smoothing
- We are the only Advanced Level DevaCurl salon (a specialized cutting system from NYC) and offer curly hair extensions
- Neuma and Maria Nila cruelty-free professional products are sold here, plus our bespoke retail selection of natural and locally made products
- Outstanding customer service — visit us and see for yourself!
Interested in joining our incredible team? Visit our Careers page.
Master Stylist, Advanced DevaCurl Trainer and Salon Co-Owner
Philip Ferreria - Level 4
Instagram: @hairphilosophy
(Call to book, does not take online appointments)
Philip was born and raised in Montreal by Portuguese immigrant parents. His father was a tailor and his mother worked by his side making leather goods. While the family struggled to make a living, Philip remembers always having beautiful leather jackets and being well supported and loved. Philip dreamt of being an architect but when the family relocated to Victoria in Grade 12, he didn’t speak enough English to attend college. With language as a barrier to education, he worked construction until he found a mentor who introduced him to the world of hair. He worked the night shift at Denny’s, travelled to Nanaimo for his BC hair license, all the while being a young father. Philip is the only Canadian to have won International Trend Vision, Sassoon trained, he’s travelled the world educating and he’s an inspiring artist and cutter. The best thing about Philip, besides his obvious talent, is he’s the kindest man you’ll ever meet. Find out more about educational opportunities to learn from Philip.
Stylists
Sarah Stratton - Level 3
Instagram: @basicunicornlooks
Sarah grew up in Nanaimo, BC and her childhood was an exception, as she was the tenth born child of twelve. Yes, you read that right! Her parents had twelve children and actually decided that together when they got engaged. Growing up in such a large family meant many joyful times, closeness and acquiring lots of “keeping the peace” skills. Sarah still has family in the centre of her life, but she’s also an ambitious career woman. As a teenager she loved playing with hair, decided what she wanted to be a stylist. She loved every second of hair school and of course she also excelled at it. She won all the awards and took the best job of all the graduates. She’s been cutting for about 15 years, with a few years off being a full-time mom. She now complements her hairstyling with makeup and leads our makeup and bridal program at the salon.
Shaylyn Easton - Level 2
Instagram: @stylesbyshay.yyj
Shaylyn grew up in Victoria but has travelled as far as Brazil. On her journey to South America via Hawaii she was on a mission with her church to share her way of life. Her faith in Christianity and the culture of charity behind her religion is what motivates her to help others and heal the world. Hairdressing is about the art for her but also about building relationships and sharing herself. She’s an amazing listener and loves helping people feel good. Her parents own a small business where she continues to work once a week. She loves local entrepreneurs and puts her heart and soul into our team. She’s also amazing at balayage!
Heidi Ellis - Level 3
Instagram: @heididoesthehair
Heidi was born and raised in Port Alberni. She moved off island to Vancouver, where she met her husband, formerly a member of a special forces unit (he’s now a Navy man). She missed home and moved back to Victoria with her hubby and two young boys. She went to school at Ray’s Beauty School in Vancouver and graduated in 2006. A talented stylist of over 16 years, she’s experienced in hair extensions and loves her blondes and balayage. When she’s not energetically cutting and styling hair, she loves to bake and change her own look (which she does monthly).
Graciela Hinz - Level 3
Instagram: @graciela_colorist_yyj
Our dedicated colourist Graciela comes from the big city of Chicago but prefers the small town quiet of Sidney, where she has settled down. She worked for 10 years at Mario Tricoci, one of Chicago’s most prestigious downtown salons. She studied at Pivot Point International in Chicago and specialized in colour in order to rise to the top of her field. We are one of the only salons on Vancouver Island to have a colourist of Graciela’s stature. Note: Are you wanting a vivid? Please book in with Debbie, Genni or Emylia for those beautiful bright colours like pink, blue and purple.
Debbie Stapleton - Level 3
Instagram: @d_stapleton_
Debbie is a senior hairstylist who has lived and worked all across Canada. In addition to gaining 25 years of experience in cutting, colouring, and styling, she has also pursued a variety of other interests, including visual art, herbalism and music. Debbie is also a certified astrologer, and enjoys having inspired conversations with her clients. She loves taking walks by the ocean with her husband and dog, and takes a classic, down-to-earth approach to fashion and beauty.
Genni Delaquis - Level 2
Instagram: @yourstylistgenni
Trained at the Aveda Institute, Genni is an artist and a stylist who has joined us to launch her cutting career. In Genni’s free time she is practicing the harp, making art and illustrations, or looking for treasure in antique stores and thrift shops. Sweet, calm and talented, she is a talented stylist. Her focus is on bouncy stylish cuts and her own hair is very on point, always. Empathic and a good listener, she is inspired by unique hair with an edge suited to you.
Ashley Connell - Level 3
Instagram: @my_blondeobsession
Ashley travelled from her hometown of Victoria to study and work in Vancouver. She’s been doing hair for over 8 years and loves highlights, balayage and extensions. This millennial is beyond hardworking, she comes to work with us every 5 weeks from Vancouver. When she’s not hard at work at the salon, she loves the outdoors, especially in the summertime.
Emylia Biegun - Level 1 Stylist
Instagram: @emylia.thenatural
Emylia grew up in Nanaimo and moved to Victoria in Grade 4. From the age of seven, she attended musical jams and revelled in community, singing and piano. She’s now a vocalist in her own band, plays the piano and tours the country. While in elementary school, she would watch videos about hair and makeup, then experiment on her own hair. When she got to high school she was introduced to the Vic High hair program and said to herself, “Yes!” She started with the intro class and it felt right. She loves the hands-on art form and she’s passionately working as a stylist at our salon.
Lauren is a new graduate from Vancouver Island University and has big plans for continuing education in the future. She is excited, goal-driven and ready for the many opportunities the hair industry has to offer. Lauren was born in the UK and moved to Canada at a young age. Growing up in the small town of Qualicum Beach, she has always appreciated spending time in nature. Lauren loves to hike and camp while exploring Vancouver Island. She has a passion for travelling, seeing the world, and experiencing and celebrating different cultures. In her free time, you can find her sewing, refurbishing and reupholstering furniture, focusing on reusing and repurposing materials to create something new and beautiful. With and eye for design, it's no wonder she has pursued a career as a hairstylist!
Amber Howes - Level 2
Instagram: @ah.myhair
Amber is a Prairie girl, so you can rest easy that she will work hard, be cheerful and have great stories to share. This happy young lady is mother of two little humans and she enjoys playing in the park with them in her free time. She did her training at MC college in Red Deer and has been a stylist for over 5 years. Fun fact, since her twelfth birthday she has asked for the gift of a salon visit to have her hair coloured. Her happy place is the hair salon and we are so thrilled to have her sparkling personality in ours 5 days a week.
Jessica Shearer - Level 1 Stylist
Instagram: @beachdaybeauty
Salon Management
Angela Funk-Theriault - Manager
Instagram: @angelafunkphotographer
With over twenty years in the beauty industry and ten years as an Advanced Nail Technician and Esthetician, Angela grounds our salon in experience and knowledge. As our salon manager, she not only takes care of the clients to her utmost, but she also cares for the staff. As if that isn’t enough, Angela is a talented photographer in her own right (she took the headshots that grace this team page). Offering elevated service, warmth and a seamless salon experience is made all the more possible with Angela running the show.
Mariah Johal - Reception, Social Media & Merchandising
Instagram: @mariahjohal
Have you ever seen the movie ‘I Don’t Know How She Does It‘ – that is essentially what Mariah embodies. From her handwritten to do lists to her ideas journal, she is as type A as they come but mixed with the perfect amount of sarcasm and sass. She has honed many crafts from makeup and hair styling to marketing and branding. An ideas person, her creative wheels are always turning which has led her to being our social media and merchandising mastermind. Hard working, dedicated and meticulous, Mariah makes everything she touches beautiful. She has a young daughter and she’s a devoted mom and business woman. She is a true island girl and lives and breathes all things natural.
Natalie Grunberg-Ferreira - Co-owner
Instagram: @thenaturalhairsalon
A consummate entrepreneur who has created several successful businesses, Natalie had originally thought it was going to be Philip’s salon, but quickly discovered that there’s A LOT to running one! With her savvy business skills, she brought in all the necessary talent and professionals to run the best salon in Victoria. Her goal is to be the best employer in BC and she's off to a great start with this team!
On Leave
Ashley Johnstone - Level 3
Instagram: @ashleyjhair
A mother of two girls, Abbie & Charlie, Ashley graduated from Martier School of Hair Design in 2008 at the top of her class. She was a born stylist — she used to practice hair on her Barbie dolls. In the rare moment when Ashley has some free time, she loves baking, crafting and reading. When she’s hard at work at the salon, her passion is cutting and she’s a talented colourist. Book with Ashley for your dream balayage. She’s passionate about longer hair styles, so please choose another stylist for short hair looks.
Rachael Green - Level 3
Currently on maternity leave, returning in 2021
Rachael graduated from the Aveda Institute, which she chose because of its focus on using natural products. She’s been cutting hair since 2005 and has a dedicated following of clients who love her like family. Our Colour Director, she’s also a trainer and educator. She’s for sure an amazing stylist in her own right, but if she had to choose a passion, it would be for the blonde colour spectrum, weddings and undone styles. Rachael is a sensitive soul that cares about more than just their client’s hair. She wears her heart on her sleeve and everyone loves her for it. She’s bubbly (likes wine too), caring, fun and has a contagious laugh.
Team photos by Angela Funk-Theriault.