Meet Terra Harvell of Harper Ellis Hair

Today we’d like to introduce you to Terra Harvell.

Hi Terra, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my first business in September 2017, when I opened Salon Five Zero Four in Fort Smith, Arkansas. By then, I was working a LOT with hair extensions, but none of the hair brands were giving me the quality, consistency, comfort, and speed that I wanted. Frustrated with what we couldn’t find with other companies, my business partner and best friend Rachel and I started searching for just the right hair to create our extensions in 2018. We tested and sourced hair from Russia, India, and China, and we even flew to China to help produce the hair that became Harper Ellis hair.

Since those humble and very difficult beginnings (we learned a lot of hard lessons), we now have our own patented installation method, the Harper Ellis Concealed Bead Method, that we teach to stylists around the world. We offer online education, community, tools, and so much more. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with Brittany Aldean on her own collections of clip-in hair extensions, and I host the We’re Just Hairdressers podcast to help inspire stylists like myself. We’re proud to be the go-to hair extensions company for so many Nashville salons and stylists!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think any journey to success is a smooth road! I always tell people, “You’re seeing the highlight reel on social media — you have no idea how many businesses and ideas I’ve had FAIL!”

One of the things I talk about a lot with other stylists is the stereotypes we encounter as hairdressers. In fact, the idea for my podcast and the We’re Just Hairdressers movement came from an encounter with a man at a bar in Vegas. He clocked my Gucci shoes and Gucci bag and said, “What do you do?” I told him I was a hairstylist and he immediately followed up with, “Ah, so what does your husband do?” I was a bit stunned (and Rachel was a bit enraged!), but I think ALL of my stylist peers have had similar experiences. People just tend to look down on hairstylists, but we are so much more than the people who cut and color your hair! We are savvy business owners, we invest in education throughout our entire careers, we educate and train other stylists, we help people feel BETTER about themselves, and really . . . we’re unstoppable!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Harper Ellis Hair Co. is known for providing the highest quality hand-tied hair extensions on the market. Our Harper Ellis Concealed Bead Method is known for being a comfortable and fast installation that our stylists and their clients love. Our Method conceals the beads and allows you to wear your hair in whatever style you like without anyone ever guessing that you’re wearing extensions!

We’re also known for having the absolute best customer service, and that’s super important to me and my team. The reviews about how Rachel and myself personally take care of our stylists is probably the thing I’m most proud of. Our mission has always been to empower stylists to make more money behind the chair and be the best version of themselves inside AND outside of the salon.

We want everyone to know how much support and education we offer our stylists! We have some exciting new things in the works to provide a constant stream of helpful information to our customers, and we cannot wait to share that with everyone!

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
This is easy — my husband and our son! Our baby boy, Fletcher, is six months old, and he is a constant source of joy for us both. Every day he is doing and learning something new, and it’s incredible to watch. It’s also beyond incredible to see my husband, Josh, being the best dad ever. We love taking Fletch out to see our cows (yes, we have cows!) every evening. It’s the best way to decompress!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.harperellishair.com
• Instagram: harperellishairco and xobrittaldean
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarperEllisHair
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmX6NVMDyoESzON1mB93BQ
• Other: https://www.xobrittaldean.com