Words by Josiah Hartline

Author’s Note: Like most good people new to my life, I met them through the good folks already around. I knew Billie in passing from her training at brits but it wasn’t until she came and visited my studio that we were formally introduced. I share my photo studio with local painter Sofia who was consulting with Billie about a logo for a project that would eventually turn into Ezra-Beth Salon

How It Started

Ezra Beth didn’t begin as a polished business plan. It started in a salon chair.

Shai met Billie through Billie’s daughter, Stephanie, who came in for a haircut. A few visits later, Billie was in Shai’s chair herself. They connected over their older daughters first, then over wellness, then over life in general. This was right before COVID hit.

In the middle of everything, they kept talking about services they liked, spa experiences they wished existed locally, and what Greenville might be missing. The idea of opening something together wasn’t immediate. There were bumps. This location is actually the third space they looked at. Both of them are busy with four kids and the timing landed during one of the busiest parts of the year. But eventually it stopped feeling hypothetical.

“We kind of mesh well,” Billie said. “Yin and yang.”

Shai runs the hair side. Billie leans into creative direction and wellness. Supporting each other’s strengths with their collaboration.

Shai’s Background in Beauty

Shai has been in the beauty industry for over 24 years. She started in Asheville, built her own business there, and later had to close it when she moved to Greenville. Starting over wasn’t easy. Working in other salons, she built up her clientele and word of mouth caught on quick.

Today she is booked out everyday, sometimes even bringing in an assistant to help serve her community. Now with her collaboration with Billie, she is ready to serve more folks and have an even greater impact.

“I like having everybody from every demographic,” she said. College students. Professionals. Women who are well off and women who are not. For her, good service matters more than chasing the highest ticket.

Over time, the conversations in her chair shifted. Clients weren’t just talking about hair. They were talking about sleep, stress, water intake, aging, and hormones. That led her back to school while pregnant with her third daughter, Ezra. She finished her bachelor’s degree in health science and later completed holistic self-care training. Arming herself to help her clients beyond styling.

When Billie caught word of Shai’s goal of weaving wellness into her practice, an idea began to take hold.

The Wellness Vision

Billie recently completed her NASM wellness coach certification and is finishing her nutritional coaching certification. She also has an Associates of Arts, with these combined you can see the blend of art and excellent care has been a personal pursuit for a long time. Her focus is women in their mid-40s to 60s. She’s 53 and living through the same shifts she wants to help others navigate. “I was a professional caregiver for 12 years and a senior advocate before Shai and I started planning the salon. That part of my life really shaped me — from assisting seniors with their therapies to advocating for them in assisted living environments. It’s such a big part of why this salon means so much to me.”

“There probably aren’t enough homegrown, personable approaches for women in their mid-40s to 60,” she said.

There’s more awareness now around menopause and hormonal changes, but not much local support that feels approachable and practical. Billie’s approach is simple. “Sometimes taking control of your life is changing one habit at a time.” She isn’t trying to overhaul someone’s entire life in one conversation. One habit. One adjustment. One decision that moves someone closer to where they want to be.

Autonomy matters. For women who spend most of their time caring for other people, having a space focused on them is a big deal.

Services and What Makes It Different

Ezra Beth will offer full hairstyling services like balayage, hi lights, blowouts, haircuts, keratin, and natural hair styles like two strand twists. She also specializes in henna brow treatments. They also incorporate wellness-based offerings. They’re installing a two-person infrared and salt therapy sauna chamber, with plans to incorporate CBD salt therapy. The setup will be private and calm. Not clinical. Not rushed.

They’re also developing head spa and scalp therapy services centered around conditioning and relaxation.

Something new for the Greenville area to enjoy, a holistic wellness experience married with hair styling all topped off with themes of an art gallery from local female artists.

A Gallery For Change

Another thing that sets Ezra-Beth apart is that Billie is featuring local female artists and their work in the space. Not only does the art elevate the experience but the art will be available for sale. Not only supporting the artist but a portion being donated to a scholarship program that will help women attend wellness or beauty school. Providing a meaningful and straightforward way to support their community. This extra touch brings beauty to the space and invests in the future of beauty for years to come.

Looking Ahead

They want Ezra Beth to feel lived in. Familiar. A place where conversations about hair turn into conversations about health. Where art on the walls is created by women. Where a sauna session turns into a reset.

They’re not trying to be everything at once. They’re starting with what they know—great hair, honest wellness conversations, and service that doesn’t rush people out the door. From there, they’ll grow the right way. The slow way

Ezra Beth is service-driven. It’s built around women who don’t always get centered. And it’s just getting started.

Opening soon off Congaree Road in Greenville, Ezra-Beth will serve all the women of Greenville who seek connection, community and excellent hair styling