Meet Your Neighbor: Ashley Gray of Ash Salon
Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos by Michael Butcher
The good feeling that follows a haircut is arguably universal. The simple act of self-care often leaves customers feeling refreshed, or, depending on how drastic the change, helps them rediscover confidence that may have been hiding under exposed roots and split ends.
At either of Ash Salon’s Hunt Country locations, that positive energy seems to go even deeper. Owner Ashley Gray’s philosophy on good business practices has not only earned her a following of dedicated clientele, but has built an army of talented, multi-level stylists through her apprenticeship program and commitment to education.
“I was planning on going to college, but at the last second decided to go to hair school,” Gray recalls. “I fell in love with it.”
Gray started her career in Warrenton at Salon Emage Day Spa before striking out on her own in 2017. She shares, “[My boss] taught me a lot and I loved working for her. But after several years, I was ready to do my own thing.”
“I was planning on going to college, but at the last second decided to go to hair school. I fell in love with it.” – Gray
Of opening her first salon in Haymarket in 2017, she says, “I started small with four chairs, but within a year we outgrew that space.” In 2019, Gray and her team moved to a larger building that essentially tripled their capacity.
“Three months later, COVID shuts us down,” Gray remembers. “That was a wild time. I lost staff, changed things around, but it was good we had the bigger location so we could space out.” Gray and her salon made it to the other side and, fortunately, came out stronger. She shares, “We rebuilt, got busier, and we were even at the point of getting too crowded again.”
In 2023, Gray expanded her Haymarket-based business into The Plains, and from there, her offers for clients — as well as aspiring stylists — grew.
“You have to create your talent,” Gray explains. “We used to have one apprentice at a time, and now I have nine at a time.”
To educate the next generation of stylists, Gray recruited one of her former instructors to help her teach. She says, “We have a whole training program. Every single Monday we have classes for the girls.” She continues, “Then the girls learn a lot hands-on by working as our assistants throughout the day… It usually takes about two years to earn a chair.”
Though the training salon format wasn’t necessarily part of Gray’s original business model, it has been rewarding. “It’s awesome. You get to see them from the timid stage to getting really comfortable with my clients. And now that I’ve cut back, I’ve been putting my clients in my apprentice’s chair — which is cool.”
“I am here to empower you and bring out the best in you.” – Gray
From four chairs to now two locations, 16 stylists, and 30 employees, Gray is able to offer even more services to her regulars and new clients.
“When I first started doing hair, it wasn’t that complicated,” she laughs. “Now color is way more intricate… Having the assistants helps accommodate more clients and do these upscale projects.”
She continues, “It’s beneficial to the salon to have the training program, and it allows us to accommodate more clients. It’s a win-win.”
Beyond hair, Gray has introduced an impressive list of spa services to her offerings since opening her second Ash Salon. “It was my goal, once we opened the new location, to have a proper spa. We have two aestheticians, we have two massage therapists, we can do microblading, and we have a nurse that comes in once a month to do Botox and fillers.” She adds, “Clients forget that we have a whole spa. Don’t sleep on that — our facials are amazing!”
Gray is looking for ways to make the salon and spa experience better for the planet, as well. Ash Salon became a Certified Green Circle Salon last July. This program helps recycle up to 95% of materials that would otherwise become trash. The Ash Salon website shares some sobering salon waste statistics, like the 63,000 pounds of hair that are thrown away in the United States each year and do not decompose. “I knew I had to do something,” Gray says. “My goals are to reduce, reuse, and recycle. And, this year, I want to bring in more natural lines. We have all-organic skin care, but I want to find a brand that I love for hair care as well. Again, fewer toxins, fewer chemicals.”
When asked why she goes above and beyond for her students, clients, and the planet, Gray says, “I just try to be a good person to others.” She adds, “It comes back at you.”
At Ash Salon, Gray’s positive disposition has become company culture. “The biggest thing with my team is not getting a bunch of egos together. I’ve never had a big ego and I think that is empowering. I am here to empower you and bring out the best in you. We’re not here to compete with each other.” She continues, “Let’s pass on our knowledge … and always help each other.
“I think that creates such a better environment for people to learn and thrive in. And, at the end of the day, a better client experience.” ML
Published in the March 2025 issue of Middleburg Life.