Ubunto Hair Studio in Solana Beach, CA cares for your hair and the environment at the same time. By choosing eco-friendly products, sustainable boutique gifts and donation a portion of their proceeds to charities like Hope for Hossana and Aspire.
We spoke to Ubuntu’s owner, Dawn Ellinwood, about Ubuntu’s history and her plans for the future.
Tell us a few interesting facts about Ubuntu Hair Studio.
Our mission statement sums up where we operate from:
We at Ubuntu Hair Studio will shift the way consumers purchase beauty products and services. Our team is built on a foundation of community, passion, contribution and strength. We provide the outstanding opportunity to excel and live out dreams. Our studio is a place to successfully blend personal growth, family commitment, unimaginable careers, and vivacious health. We provide a spark to inspire unity and contribution. We continually strive to uplift the lives of everyone that enters our business: clients, vendors, our neighboring businesses and our community. Our business is a vehicle to affect a global change one client at a time. We are committed to making a global impact by setting our focus on contributing to humanity. We are a team united in “I am because WE are”.
When and why did you start Ubuntu Hair?
My husband Kipp and I moved to Carlsbad in 2005. At the time, I was working in LA County 3 days a week and spending my work week away from home. We brought our daughters home from Ethiopia in 2007. I had been working at Frederic Fekkai in Beverly Hills for 10 years, and while I enjoyed the years I had spent there I was ready to create a business based on my personal values. I wanted to be closer to my husband and daughters, in North County San Diego, and when we opened Ubuntu in 2008 I finally was.
What are some of your best selling products?
We are very proud to retail a lot of 31 Bits Jewelry which are beads made out of found paper by women in Northern Uganda, the women are paid a fair trade wage and are able to support their families.
We also retail hair products by René Furterer, which are based on plant extracts and essential oils and are designed to care for the scalp as well as the hair. Ubuntu also carries a body care line Malie from Kauai and fragrance Ko’kee. One percent of the profits are donated to Hawaiian Rainforest Conservation Fund.
Do you have any events coming up that you’d like our readers and customers to know about?
Ubuntu will be at Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach on June 5 and 6.
What is your customers’ reactions to Tees for Change tees?
Our clients love the softness and feel of the t-shirts and that a tree is planted for each t-shirt sold .
What do you like most about Tees for Change tees?
We love to find products that we need give back at the same time. I personally chose to spend my money with companies and products which align with my personal values. When I found Tees for Change I was excited that I can support the environment, positive messaging, organic farming and supporting developing countries reforest.
