Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey David.
Hi Kelsey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started the Cosmetology program in 2010 while I was in high school just to get out of class, shortly after I became an assistant at a salon. After nearly 8 years of being an assistant, I felt my love for color really grow. It was something that came naturally to me and quickly became one of my strengths,
I my own salon journey in 2017 and created “Beyond The Mane” (because it is more than just hair) with a mission to help women feel beautiful and confident in their own hair. As a stylist specializing blending, color and hair restoration for 16 years i’ve witnessed the damage that over-processing and chemical services can cause and how few healing options were available.
My journey took a deeper turn after experiencing postpartum hair loss in 2023. That season was not only about physical change but also about spiritual renewal. In prayer and through God’s guidance, I felt called to create Ruhe: a natural hair care line designed to restore growth, repair, and scalp health. Especially during vulnerable times like postpartum and seasonal shedding.
Ruhe, meaning “rest” or “peace,” reflects both the physical care of the hair and the spiritual reminder that true restoration comes from God.
Today, I’m not just a stylist behind the chair. I see my work as a ministry of whole-person care. Whether you’re coming in for color, cuts, or seeking at-home solutions, my goal is to help you feel rooted, restored, and confident both inside and out.
From assistant to salon owner to product formulator, I’ve leaned on faith every step of the way. I’m beyond grateful for everyone who’s walked this journey with me, and I pray that each person who experiences my work or products also feels the love, peace, and purpose God has placed in me to share.
I now have a private space here in New Jersey where I make it a priority to make women feel heard while in the salon chair and they experience the luxury of one-on-one time with me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not. Being an assistant was a period of time that tested my patience. I didn’t know what it was like to rely on faith during that time. I was working two jobs, going to school to finish out my license and focusing on hair was not a priority in the beginning. I was an assistant for years, during this time I invested my time in education and a 5 week program to really strengthen who I was and what I was looking for out of this career. My bosses at the time would not move me up and I was so tired of being stagnant. The program I attended only allowed me to work Fridays and Saturdays because it ran Sunday-Thursday. Traveling into the city alone was hard.
Shortly after I finished I was let go from the Salon I started at and started my search for a new salon home. I was there for the next 4 years, it was hard. Long hours, leaving at 11pm, 12am, 1am. Client on top of client, You feel defeated. I soaked up every ounce of education I could from just watching. I am a very visual learner and finally had the courage to leave.
Me and my best friend at the time opened up a studio space and after a year we went our separate ways. I expanded during the peak of COVID. We passed our inspection the day before the state shut down. It was great for a few years but I realized I am a very intentional person and I didn’t want to do the whole “employee” thing anymore. I moved into a suite until I found my current salon space.
It is perfect, I found it scrolling on Facebook marketplace at 4am. I got the keys 12 days before my son was born. It is the perfect size, the perfect comfort, even though it took me almost 17 years to land here, I would go through every trial and tribulation all over again for what I have now.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Beyond The Mane Studio?
Beyond The Mane Studio is a private luxury salon space that is focused on intentional, results-driven hair care. I specialize in blending, custom color and hair restoration. Helping women achieve their dream color while maintaining the health and integrity of their hair and scalp. My approach combines soft color techniques with a strong focus on scalp health, growth and long term hair wellness.
In addition to my work behind the chair, I created Ruhe. Ruhe is a natural hair care line designed to assist in the restoration of the hair, hair growth, scalp renewal and supporting women through vulnerable seasons such as postpartum hair loss, seasonal shedding or even a color service they are unhappy with. Ruhe was born out of both the professional experience and the personal journey I experienced after postpartum hair loss myself.
What sets my work apart is the combination of color expertise and restorative hair care. I believe healthy hair is truly the foundation of every service I offer. I work intimately with each girl that sits in my chair to create a personalized plan that supports both their beauty goals and the health of their hair. My clients know I am not going to argue with them, haha! It is not my hair, I don’t wear it… but they know I take hair health very serious, especially if they want color!
My salon space is also rooted in faith and whole person care. I do not look at my work as a service, it is more of an opportunity to help women feel confident, restored and cared for both inside and out. The women who might not have felt heard or seen at her last appointment. When clients come in regardless of what the service is for, my goal is to create an experience that leaves them feeling seen, supported renewed and so loved.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I think it’s a hard feeling to describe but there is such a strong sense of community. It is a small town where many local businesses are being supported by the town, everyone knows everyone, it feels safe, welcoming and family-orientated. My entire family grew up here and were very involved with the town. I feel like when you were raised here, you don’t leave! I moved briefly to Jersey City and found myself right back not long after.
I don’t have any dislikes, it is a place I never want to leave! haha
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beyondthemane.myshopify.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemane_/
- Yelp: https://share.google/lizIy9JmDVAUNfZfW
