Interview with a rising Palma Anshilevich

Photo Courtesy of Palma Anshilevich

       Palma Anshilevich Is a Young lady that is full of Energy and is filled with a lot of Passion for what she does, she is a rising star in the industry, with so much to offer anyone that would be interested in this industry. this is a woman filled with joy, knowledge, determination, and positive Energy you just have to pay attention. She is a person that cares for the people around her don't just take my word for it here is what she has to say...

I asked her How long she had Been apart of the Industry, here is what she had to say... 

 " My who life...I am a Daughter of a Barber and so Proud! However, My Father never wanted me to get involved in the industry because of the Hard work and dedication so I went to University and graduated and then I decided I couldn't stand back from my dream of being in the Hair industry any longer....so here we are 11 years and counting"

Ok so as we all know there were some issues that we as Barbers had to overcome before we could be comfortable with the Business, with all of it Ups and downs, More ups then downs.... 


 "Put yourself Out there.... First understand Where Barbers come from and what they stand for... History! Second, get involved By Taking  classes and never feel like you know everything.There is always something to learn and someone to meet. Stand out in of the crowd and get noticed... Be you! Enter into competitions and show them what you got! Everyone is a Winner...."

Ok so I have Been asked this question many times so I know that its a question you all get from someone interested in the industry, lets see what it is, and what she has to say about it....

I asked her what Drew her to this game, outside of her Father doing it?

"THE ART!  TRULY I always knew I had the God given talent to do Hair! It is an amazing feeling when your see your clients face and they know they look good because of there hair. Really, when a person walks into a room, the first thing a person sees is there Hair. when we describe a person the first thing we say is something about there hair. So to have that power it is a blessing! Hair is fabric that we have the chance to mold into a Beautiful piece of ART!"  

    I wanted to know if she had any issues or hard times with been a female in a Male dominated industry listen to what she has to say....


    "Its only a benefit... the men want to know what I bring to the table so in turn it gives me more opportunity to show them what I can do... with my skills and Love for Hair"  

      As Barbers we have our own challenges that we face in this industry, so I asked Palma what were some of her challenges and this is what she had to say....


   "Starting From the bottom and working My way up... Even though My father has a Shop, he wouldn't like me working for him so I had to go work in the most challenging area of Toronto and prove myself. after a few years my father invited me to work not for him but with him. The challenge is only a challenge if you make it a challenge. I made it a learning experience! Everyday we continue to learn!"

And if you are wondering what she did to over come those challenges, I asked Ms. Palma and here is what she had to say....

   " Take the Negatives and make them Positive. If someone either it being a client or another hairstylist was trying to make a situation difficult I would always take my time to work around it we deal with the public and sometimes alter-ego's so I stand back and let them see that I am not here to challenge them but to share with them and learn with them! They get the point! I don't Believe in intimidation, I believe in respect! We all came from the same place!"


I know there are some people out there that want to know How Palma Anshilevich got with Team Xotics well i asked her and here is what she had to say...


"I was working a show in Houston when I was on the platform doing my thing and sharing the Love...DC and Curtis Smith were walking by and DC yells out your a beast....so I said to everyone I guess ya'll haven't seen a white girl do Black hair! Well they were all waiting for that! They were all thinking it and no one had the guts to say it! I became known at the show for being the white girl who does black hair! Really silly to me, there is no Black Hair or white hair just hair to me. Its all hair! So I connected with DC and told him about my passion and drive for the industry and I fell in Love with the XOTIXS MOVEMENT!!! So her we are.....MAKING HISTORY!!!"


   While I was doing her interview I stumbled upon a Blog that she herself write and I wanted to know what the motivation was behind it  Your Stylist Shouldn't be a Secret 
and i asked her about it here is what she had to say....

"I Love what I do and my clients know that and a few of them would say to me, your so good, I'm never going to tell anyone about you! I had to Express myself in another way so I wrote about it! And a few of my clients saw the Blog and have made a point to spread the Palma Love!"

I know some of you have the desire to be a platform artist so I asked Palma Anshilevich about her days as a platform stylist and how she got into it hers what she had to say....

  "I knew I had the energy to be up there! I love the audience and their all there for the same reason to learn and share with each other. I knew I had to be up there spreading the love. I love getting interactive with the audience and I always learn something new whenever I'm up on stage. As for a new barber or Stylist to get involved with platform work, they have to get involved with a company that they have an interest in. Contact them and let them know how much passion you have for there product and would love the opportunity to work with them, even if its to assist and learn from the experience!".


As you all know the Bronner Bros. Hair show just passed and I asked her what where her thought on the show and the Barbers Round Table Hosted by Curtis Smith and this is what she had to say....

"As for it was my first time and I only heard great things about it . I did see the documentary that Chris Rock did called Good Hair! So as for my first experience it was fantastic! I got to meet the man himself which was cool!

Now for the Barbers Round Table, My First time at this event it left me speechless, which we all know is hard to do. The evening was filled with passion and drive from all of us there. We were all there for the same reason to Bring the BarberLove to the table and say it as it is... I was honored to be inaugurated into the Xotics Family that night. What can I say... really my honor and pleasure to be apart of a Family with the same love and passion!"

Now I usually have some last words for my Readers, this time I asked Palma Anshilevich to give use some last words and this is what she had to say....

" There are thousands of stars in the Sky and we all deserve to shine! Spread the love...BarberLove!!!