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PORTRAIT OF A #GIRLBOSS - No. 332

Stéphanie Simard - Founder of Waves, Waves Academy, Waves Extensions, and Salon Waves www.wavesacademie.com


"My full-time business is an extension of myself. I offer innovative services in hair extension application with a unique approach. I chose this entrepreneurial path out of passion and determination, challenging stereotypes to create my own way.


I flew to California to receive the best training available in this field. At that time, I was a pioneer, and the idea of traveling so far and investing so much in my education seemed crazy to those around me. My goal was simple: to offer an innovative and delicate extension system for those who wear them.


Rather than letting the negativity brought by the pandemic overwhelm me, I decided to focus on the positive. It was the perfect opportunity to move forward and combine all my knowledge and academic background to bring my project to life. This is how WAVES was born, an idea I had unconsciously nurtured throughout my years of study, which came to fruition during this period.


I founded my salon to freely express my creativity and keep pace with my ideas. The Academy is an extension of this vision because, to me, education is endless, and sharing is essential for advancing our industry. I am very proud to have gained my expertise from the best professionals in the industry. Even today, I am continuously training to stay at the forefront of my field and always on the cutting edge. I have also established a distribution network for extensions, enabling hairdressers to quickly and easily obtain the best extensions.


I aim to train as many professionals as possible so that people across Canada can enjoy hair they love and feel good about themselves. My ambition is to expand our presence throughout the country by fostering collaboration with other salons, which is at the heart of my mission.


My intuition guides my choices, even when rationality is absent. My uniqueness, leadership, and creativity are valuable assets in the business world. I have learned to embrace my flaws, laugh at my workaholic tendencies, and find strength in my resilience.


I am an innovative entrepreneur and a visionary. My journey and actions aim to transform and contribute to changing perceptions in the hairdressing industry. I share my advice with professionals, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself."


Photography @ Chantale Arsenault Photography

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