Cool Peep of the Week: It Takes a Sam to Build a Villa

Who is this “Cool Peep”? Sam Villa was born in New Mexico and grew up shining shoes and sweeping floors in his father’s barbershop.  “When my father took me to a Vidal Sassoon hair show, it changed my life.  I knew then and there that I wanted to be a hairdresser and educate,” says Sam.  He fulfilled that dream and went on to win Behind the Chair “Favorite Platform Artist and Educator” at the prestigious Stylist Choice Awards in 2012, 2011 and 2007.  Sam has more than 30 years teaching experience – he joined Redken in 1998 and as Education Artistic Director and is a lead Facilitator at the Redken Exchange in New York City where he teaches a variety of design and trend sessions to salon professionals from around the world and is part of the team that trains the entire Redken Artist Network worldwide. Sam is co-founder of the Sam Villa® brand (Allvus, LLC) designed to bring “More Sam to More People” – his educational world can be experienced on www.samvilla.com. Sam lives in Florida with his wife Lisa.

Sam, what are a few of your favorite things? I love having a nice meal with a table cloth (my Mom always insisted using a table cloth)…my all time favorite sports team is the SF 49ers football team – I used to have access to season tickets, great times during the Joe Montana days…”The Power of Now” (by Eckhart Tolle) is my all time favorite book – it changed my life as only a good book can do…any song by Carlos Santana is at the top of my list…my wife, Lisa, makes me happy and getting outdoors playing a round of golf .

When you are alone and you think no one is watching you…what quirky things are you doing? I find myself grabbing and rubbing my ears a lot – rub and scratch my ear lobe.

What is your favorite haunt? My favorite local pub – I love to sit and read a newspaper with an ice-cold beer …and if on the road, I find a favorite pub.

Empty your pockets – right now? BE HONEST…what did you find? My iPhone is almost always in my pocket…and that’s what I just pulled out now, my iPhone.

What is one thing that no one would ever guess about you? Most people can’t believe I fish (fresh water) and play golf…really?  Really…fishing is so relaxing and an opportunity to quiet my mind, pause and reflect…golf…it’s just me and the ball.

What is playing on iTunes, right now? Classic rock, yet remixes…love finding music remixed.

Where can we find you next? On the road as usual…next stop as I write this, Las Vegas, as I have a PR stop for HairShow, a blow out bar I opened in March.  Yes, I have gotten back into the salon business as I have partnered with Look Style Society, a one stop beauty destination…then on to Orlando for the Premier Show. Note from CC:  In 2014 Sam Villa’s HairShow Blowout Bar opened the first ever location with LOOK Style Society at Town Square Las Vegas.  To book a reservation or for additional information, call 702.712.4348 or visit www.samvillahairshow.com.

SECRETS FROM THE PROS – what are your all time FAVE products? My favorite at the moment is Redken Powder Grip 03, great product for any girl to have in her purse …and course the Sam Villa Textur iron as it’s a tool that can do multiple things….I have a lot of like for Bumble and Bumble styling products too…

Accolades: Behindthechair.com Favorite Platform Artist and Educator 2007, 2011 and 2012; and Favorite top-five finalist from 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010; Redken Platform Artist of the Year 1998; “Master of the Craft” Award from the Art & Fashion Group 1992; and finalist in the North American Hairdressing Awards — Classic Category 1991. Follow Sam and stay up to date on all his work, upcoming events and personal appearances!

#SamVillaHowTo Facebook: /samvillapros and /SamVillaBrand  YouTube: samvillahair Twitter: @SamVillaPro and @SamVilla Instagram: @SamVillaHair Pinterest: /samvillahair