Portland hairstylist Becky Ellison marks 50 years in the chair

Rebecca “Becky” Ellison, owner of Superb Hair & More in Portland, Oregon, is being recognized for more than five decades in hairstyling, client service and mentorship. Her career spans salon ownership, advanced training and custom wig work for children through Wigs for Kids.

Why it matters: - Becky Ellison’s career shows how a local stylist can build long-term client trust through customization, consistency and service. - Her work with Wigs for Kids extends that impact beyond salon beauty services to children facing medically related hair loss. - Her recognition highlights longevity in a trade where personal relationships can last for decades.

What happened: - Rebecca “Becky” Ellison, owner of Superb Hair & More, Inc. in Portland, Oregon, is being recognized for a career spanning more than 50 years in the professional beauty industry. - Ellison’s work has centered on hairstyling, mentorship and client service. - The recognition comes through her Influential Women profile, which includes a public connection page at More information.

The details: - Ellison first planned to study floristry at Mount Hood Community College before shifting into hair after working as a receptionist in her sister’s salon. - She later completed cosmetology training and apprenticed under master cutter Ted Isaacs at Great Haircuts. - Her first salon job was at The Hair Barn in Beaverton, Oregon, where 27 stylists were building their client bases. - Ellison started a home-based salon called Hairway to Heaven and built a loyal clientele through word-of-mouth. - She opened Superb Hair & More, Inc. in 1998. - The salon has operated for 28 years as a place for cuts, coloring, perms and styling. - Ellison evaluates hair texture, growth patterns, facial structure and daily routines before choosing a style. - Many Portland clients have stayed with Ellison for decades. - Her salon has been recognized as one of the top-rated in the area. - Ellison attributes that reputation to consistent care and genuine client relationships. - She is actively involved with Wigs for Kids, a nonprofit that supports children with medically related hair loss. - Ellison designs and hand-ties custom human hair wigs through that work. - During the COVID-19 pandemic, she used downtime from halted salon operations to deepen her training and earn certification in wig creation. - Since then, she has made specialized wigs that allow children to swim, play sports and move through daily life with less visible difference from peers.

Between the lines: - Ellison’s career reflects a shift from standard salon service to a broader model of care that includes emotional support. - Her focus on personalization is also a business strategy, since repeat clients and referrals have sustained her work for years. - The pandemic appears to have accelerated her transition into wig-making, turning a disruption into a new specialty. - The story also underscores how mentorship and continuous education can extend a beauty career well beyond routine styling.

What's next: - Ellison continues to work in the Portland beauty industry and participate in advanced training. - She is expected to keep serving both salon clients and children through Wigs for Kids. - Her public profile on Influential Women gives readers a way to learn more about her background and work.