Faces Of New Bedford #187: Samie-Jo Prata

Meet Samie-Jo Prata, 28-year-old hairdresser. Growing up, Samie spent lots of time in salons, as her mother was a nail technician. This got her interested in the field of hairdressing and cosmetology but was advised against it from her parents, who felt she would make a better living if she went to college and got her degree.

After high school, Samie started her classes at Bristol Community College, but after a year, had to take time off due to the birth of her daughter. Samie began working, rather than returning to school and after being laid off from the grocery store she was working for, she knew she needed a change. She went to her parents and told them that she was going to pursue her desire to go to hairdressing school and enrolled in Toni & Guy.

Samie-Jo started working for Wash House in Fairhaven shortly after graduating from school and hasn’t looked back. She loves that not only does she work to make others feel beautiful, but has built a bond with her clients over the years, also being a shoulder for them to lean on when they are having an off day and come sit in her chair. Her time at the Wash House helped her find her way as a hairdresser, strengthening her and preparing her for her most recent venture. Samie is a renter at Beauty Union Salon in New Bedford, where although she is at the salon, works for herself. She loves that she gets to work in Downtown New Bedford, as it has been such an important location for her throughout her life.

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com. Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Read more of the Faces of New Bedford series here.