About

Hi love, I’m Emma! I am the owner and creator of Willow Artistry, I’m so glad to see you here! Here is a little about me! I strive to create a fun, comfortable, and relaxing environment while I give you your dream hair. I want you to feel that this is a safe place, for you to unwind and unload whenever you need. The services I provide within my suite are to make you feel as beautiful and empowered as I see you. Want to know something crazy? This isn’t what I originally saw myself doing! My life goal was to go to college to become a veterinarian. I grew up with many animals and always thought I would love to see them everyday. Although I realized I would only see the hurt/ill animals and that I wouldn’t be able to be happy experiencing that constantly. I thought about what made me love & feel myself, my hair! I decided I would be more than happy giving everybody else that same feeling. I grew up with divorced parents, luckily they get along very well and made growing up as easy as it could be, where I was blessed with 3 siblings that I love and adore. They view me as their idol and that is what drives me every day to make not only my parents, but my siblings proud! Throughout my school years I remember having pink and purple highlights coupled with super cute hair feathers. I was always excited to get my hair done and I would never forget the feeling when somebody would compliment my new hairstyle. I have always loved how the hair industry is supportive and endless with possibilities. I decided to graduate high school early to start my journey as a hairstylist at the Aveda Institute of Des Moines, where I was surrounded with amazing friends and educators. I started during the shut down due to Covid in 2020. It was a struggle to navigate through school online but due to my amazing boyfriend who pushed me I learned to roll with the punches. Throughout my time at Aveda I grew heavily in love with not only myself, or doing hair, but helping others find their own version of self-love. I started out working in a salon, which was an amazing stepping stone to grow and learn what it’s like in the world of hairstylists. Within the highs there were lows but with my support system, I realized after almost a year I wanted to do more. I wanted to be able to have that one on one time with my guests and the ability to strengthen and grow our connections as more than just being clients. Owning my own suite has provided exactly what I was hoping for, as these connections grow day in and day out, it dawned on me that I am finally able to be 100% me. Creating the name for my business was probably the hardest part of getting everything put together. I thought of the word “Willow” and wondered what a willow tree symbolized and that’s when I found a deeper meaning into my journey. “A willow tree is a symbol of fertility and new life, a willow branch can be planted in the ground and from it, a new tree will grow in its place. Its ability to grow and survive is powerfully symbolic and it shows how we can thrive even in challenging conditions.” I then needed a word to match the beauty of Willow, after a while of looking up words I came across Artistry and the definition is “creative skill or ability”, which fit perfectly with what I do for a living. I create beauty within your hair using skills I customize to your face, head, and body shape to ensure you love the results. For me, my job isn’t playing with hair all day. My job is to be there when you need me, whether that be your hair needs or just a person to vent to, or to tell me all the exciting things that are taking place in your life. I get to be there for your wedding, I get to see your babies grow up and be there for their prom. My job is about the connections I make with you and making you feel loved and supported in every aspect of life. Thank you for sticking with me through this milestone and I can’t wait to see you, spoil you, hug, laugh or even cry with you while creating a look that is bound to give you the limitless confidence you deserve once you walk out my door. Xo, Emma Bentley