Challenges are made to be overcome

If you speak about a goal a certain way, you’ll be much more likely to achieve it. That’s why Samantha Wedlund felt it was important to include the word “success” in her business’ name.

“I named my salon Success21 Hair Extensions because I believe in the importance of calling things what you want them to become,” explains Samantha.

The number 21 is commonly associated with success and blessings, a fact Samantha discovered after being called to look into it by the holy spirit.

“When I was immigrating to Canada from Jamaica, I had to take the bus from Kingston many times to the office where I got my papers in order,” says Samantha. “The bus I took was always the 21—and I kept seeing the number everywhere!”

Success is certainly a fitting term to describe the salon, which took home the Most Loved Salon Award in 2019 from the BC Beauty and Hair Awards. Starting out as a small salon run out of Samantha’s living room and later her basement, Success21 has been quickly growing ever since. In 2022, the salon took over a space in Orchard Park Mall.

Samantha credits her mother for both her love of hair and her drive to succeed. “I used to always do my mom’s hair growing up,” she remembers. “She has always been my biggest supporter and pushes me to chase my dreams. She also inspires me to be the best mom I can be for my three kids and the best wife I can be to my amazing husband.”

Success21 offers hair extensions, cuts, colour, balayage, wigs and hair loss solutions for men and women. They also provide creative hair styles for photoshoots, festivals and other productions. Some of their creations have been featured in beauty magazines.

But Samantha’s favourite services are the ones that make everyday people feel their inner beauty.

“Sometimes, when someone is dealing with hair loss, graying or just isn’t happy with their hair, we get to give people their confidence back,” she beams.

When it comes to their specialized training and understanding of Black and mixed race hair, Success21 fills a gap in the local beauty industry, which means a lot to clients who rely on those services.

“Whether we’re helping a Caucasian mom understand her mixed race daughter’s hair, or just acting as a salon in the community Black women know they can trust, we take a lot of pride in our training and expertise,” Samantha says.

Success21 also operates a Hair Extensions Academy, where they offer training to other stylists on proper technique for dealing with different hair types, the latest trends and styles, and even on how to run a salon.

Samantha hopes to inspire other immigrants in Kelowna with dreams of running a business or working in a particular industry.

“If you’ve been thinking about chasing a dream or starting something new, this is your sign to stop thinking about it and start doing it!” Samantha says. “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from—at the end of the day, we all breathe the same oxygen, live in the same beautiful city and have the same ability to push through challenges and succeed.”

Samantha feels this is an especially important message today, with an unprecedented number of people in BC struggling with their mental health.

“I believe when people focus energy on something they are passionate about, they can feel purpose,” Samantha says. “That’s what allows us to step into our power.”