Me’chele Humphries-Hayes remembers as a little girl desiring to be a part of the hair and beauty business. “I come from three generations of beauticians and a family of entrepreneurs,” she says remembering as a child molding fake nails out of dirt from her back yard.
Subsequently building a strong foundation and preparing herself to accomplish her dreams, Humphries-Hayes’ mission has reached fruition. “After a 25-year career in the beauty business my goal of opening a day spa is a reality. Now I am able to increase the level of services available to my cliental, current and new,” she says. Early in January Me’chele’s Wellness Spa opened at 2710 Penn Avenue in the Strip District.
“Me’chele was an institution in the Hill District for 20 years,” pointed out Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle during the MWS grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. “I am proud of her accomplishments and expect her to be an anchor for another 20 years now in the Strip District.”
Along with family, friends and longtime supporters other dignitaries taking part in the event included Kelly A. Hunt; District Director for the Pittsburgh District Office of the Small Business Administration, Ruth Byrd–Smith; Director of the Allegheny County Minority Women Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Department and Danny B. McGlory, Brighton Road Banking Center Manager of WesBanco. Everyone in attendance agreed with Councilman Lavelle’s statement that no matter how good Humphries-Hayes services are or how hard she works that the business will not be successful without the continuous support of all in attendance as well as the patronage of new people.
“This is a great story and I am cheering her on,” says Hunt. “Our office plans to do what we can to support Me’chele by utilizing her services and providing publicity where we can.” Excited to assist a woman business owner in the area, Hunt says such actions fit in with her mission of building the entrepreneur culture and assisting businesses in this region grow and be successful.
Byrd-Smith concurs that it is vitally important to support minority businesses that are popping up around town. “It is nice to see women like Me’chele expanding and growing their businesses. The Strip District is a prime location.”
Only working with Humphries-Hayes for a short period, McGlory says their paths crossed at the right time. “I met Me’chele just when she was ready for banking services. My goal is to help her use her cash wisely, to be aware of her operational expenses, to invest properly and to utilize her financial resources.”
Identified as the only Black owned day spa located in the city’s Strip District, Humphries-Hayes ascertains her amenities as holistic beauty services that incorporate good health and wellness. “We provide holistic head to toe pampering,” she clarifies. Current features include total hair care services inclusive of cuts, curls, coloring, weaves, natural hair care and she specializes in female pattern baldness. Servicing a multi-cultural and unisex population, she says she has a strong interest in providing the optimum salon experience for the bi-racial population especially children.
Other features include a nail lounge that focuses on manicures and pedicures and a massage area. All services she says are performed by vibrant, inspired and experienced hair artists, licensed nail technicians and certified and licensed massage therapists.
Phase two of MWS, which Humphries-Hayes expects to occur by the summer will offer Yoga and exercise classes and a full-body sauna. She looks forward to hosting upcoming activities and special events consisting of bridal and beauty shows and workshops on hair care, skin care and beauty tips.
“I am happy and excited to see this project become a reality. It has been a long time coming,” proclaimed Allen Hayes one of the biggest supporters of his wife. “This has been a struggle. It showed how we had to believe in each other and caused us to do a lot of praying as well as sacrificing.” Sacrificing to the point where, Humphries-Hayes pointed out that she gave up her car and Centre Avenue shop and worked out of her friend Stacy Gales shop, Superior Styles located on Superior Avenue on the North Side.
A member of the well-known Humphries family, like her father, drummer Roger of RH Factor, Humphries-Hayes says she is looking forward to putting Pittsburgh on the map through the success of her business.
Upon graduating from the former Pittsburgh Beauty Academy, she began her career working as a nail technician before switching over to a hairstylist and started competing in hair shows. She recalls winning her initial first place trophy in 1993. After winning her second trophy she met her mentor and teacher Maria Patrick. Humphries-Hayes worked for Patrick in her Mt. Oliver shop and later at Centre of Attraction at 2019 Centre Avenue until their rolls changed and Patrick began working for her. The shop closed in 2013. “That experience helped me develop the passion for teaching, educating and not compromising the integrity of the hair,” she credits.
Humphries-Hayes continues to develop her skills by attending workshops and seminars on a continuous basis. She recently was a MRL technician and educator for McBride Research Laboratory, Inc. until she opened MWS in January.
Considering the MWS a major endeavor, Humphries-Hayes says she and her husband have invested a significant amount of their personal money into the project. She has completely renovated and designed the old Oriental Rug Company building using her sister Monica Thomas interior design skills as well as the architectural expertise of Howard Graves and several other Black owned contractors.
One of the funding sources she utilized was Kiva Zip which she says the money assisted in the renovation cost as well as purchasing equipment. “We were pleased to serve as a trustee for Me’chele,” explains James Meyers, Business Development and Community Engagement Manager for Urban Innovation 21. She has a wonderful personality and is viewed as more than a hair stylist by the communities of Pittsburgh. She has a solid work ethic and is considered as a mentor, consultant, and educator in her areas of expertise.”
“This has been a long journey,” expressed Humphries-Hayes. “God is good and I am thankful for all that is happening and for the people in my corner. I want to be an example in the community and I am excited to be sharing and using my passion.”
(The number for Me’chele’s Wellness Spa is 412-471-0151.)
