Finding Home at Edgeless Beauty Group
Gaya has spent half of her life at Edgeless Beauty Group.
“It has become my family and my home away from home, I’ve been challenged, mentored, failed, succeeded, and grown in ways I wouldn’t have seen coming. It’s a gift.”
One memory that stands out was the 2011 move from the Water Street location. “We’ve always been a grassroots company,” she recalls. “So although we had movers, so much of the work we did ourselves to make the Third Ward location our new home. Everyone was lifting, pushing, scraping, organizing, and anything else that needed to be ready to welcome our students in the doors. I can still smell the “Goo Gone” from scraping stickers off everything!”
What Inspires Her Today
For Gaya, inspiration comes from others – students, team members, and guests.
“My passion is serving others. What’s great about my current role is that serving comes in so many ways. It’s celebrating the wins with someone, being a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, helping someone get up and try again, having tough conversations, offering encouragement, and holding people accountable to our standards. It’s believing in every person’s potential and helping them realize it.”
Her first graduating class, in particular, left a lasting impression. The emotional ceremony solidified her love for teaching and affirmed the impact she could have on students’ journeys.
A Lifelong Calling
“I’ve wanted to be a stylist since I was a little girl practicing on Barbies,” Gaya shared. By age 12 she was already cutting her friends’ hair – when their moms allowed it. Pursuing a career in beauty was never a doubt, but a natural path that unfolded with passion and purpose.
Career Highlights
From training in London at the Aveda Academy to becoming a Texture Coach, leading the Neroli Salon & Spa Masters’ program, and now serving as Director of The Institute of Beauty and Wellness – Milwaukee, Gaya has embraced every opportunity for growth. Each milestone, she says, has been built on dedication to craft and community.
Lessons in Leadership
One of Gaya’s most defining challenges was leading her team through the pandemic. With only days to move the entire curriculum online, she and her colleagues leaned on passion, creativity, and each other.
“If you have the right team with passion for the industry and students, you can adjust to anything,” she reflects. “Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished together.”
Changing Landscape of Beauty
When Gaya began her career, the beauty industry wasn’t always recognized as a reputable or lucrative path. Today, she sees it celebrated for its success, impact, and joy – a transformation she’s both witnessed and helped to shape.
Words of Advice
To those just starting out, Gaya offers this wisdom:
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Your gifts are unique and your opportunities are endless.
- Stay adaptable and positive. Success in this industry comes from resilience and openness to change.
Looking Ahead
What excites Gaya most about the future of beauty and wellness? The possibilities. With visionary leadership at Edgeless Beauty Group and commitment to innovation, she sees a dynamic student experience unfolding and a thriving new generation of beauty professionals ready to shine.
“Having an owner, Susan Haise, with so much passion for this industry has proven to be a huge reason for the school’s success. She’s a true visionary who is always two steps ahead (or ten) with new ideas and strategies to create a more dynamic student experience and fill this industry with the next generation of beauty professionals.”
At Edgeless Beauty Group, leaders like Gaya inspire not just careers, but lives. Her journey is a reminder that with passion, resilience, and purpose, beauty truly transforms everything it touches.
