When it comes to being a salon educator, travel is pretty much a requisite of the job. Sam Villa Ambassador and owner of Shear Art Salon, Blake Reed Evans, knows this all too well as he spends most of his weekends catching flights to different cities so he can share his salon knowledge with other pros.
“Traveling frequently can be rough…but it doesn’t matter, it’s so worth it!” Evans shares. “I’m driven by a dream that every stylist can love the place they work, the people they work with, the hair they’re doing, and the people they’re working on. Every canceled flight, change of plans, airport marathon, gas station dinner (yes, that’s a thing) IS WORTH IT to see this industry grow.”
As someone who travels constantly—at least three times a month—Evans knows a thing or two when it comes to travel hacks. Ahead, find five of his tried and true tips to help make upcoming travels as smooth as a silk press.
Sign Up For Airline and Hotel Loyalty Programs
“You are working hard traveling for work—that means you need to earn points for an awesome vacation. The higher status you have, the faster you earn points,” Evans says. “Equally important, if there is ever an issue (weather delays, a dirty room), your loyalty will be rewarded with quick action.” He adds that American Airlines and Hilton Hotel are his personal favorites.
Pack Smart
“I use Sam Villa Professional Beauty Cases for everything, and I keep the tags attached to keep organized,” Evans explains. “I have one for brushes, one for pins/clips/combs, another for products, one for irons, and another one for digital accessories like cords and things like that.”
Seek Fun Experiences in Your Travel Destination
“Look for something fun to do in the city you are visiting!” Evans says. “I look on Ticketmaster for a concert or check TikTok for a cool restaurant!”
Book Clients Only a Few Months at a Time
“When booking guests in the salon, only book out 3 months at a time,” Evans shares. “When you travel like we do, opportunities pop up at the last minute, so don’t stress by booking the entire year out!”
Embrace Using Apps on Your Trip
“When you’re trying to time how long it will take to get somewhere, use the Waze App,” Evans says. “You can plug in an arrival time, and it provides a recommended departure time based on traffic patterns for that specific day and time.”
For more travel-friendly tips from Evans, be sure to follow @blakereedevans on Instagram.
