A Legacy Award celebrates enduring contributions and sustained excellence that leave a lasting multigenerational mark. This year, the Beauty Changes Lives Legacy Award was awarded to Sam Villa, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of the Sam Villa Company, for his trailblazing contribution, advocacy and mentorship that has profoundly transformed and elevated the professional beauty industry.

“When you begin your journey in this industry, you don’t think about legacy, you think about survival! About how to hold the shears without cutting yourself, how to meet other people’s expectations and how to get through fully booked back-to-back days with no lunch break! Yet somehow…year after year…haircut after haircut…class after class… stage after stage…all those little moments became a life…a life dedicated to people. Because that is what this industry has been for me…not just hair, but people,” says Villa.

“Sam Villa represents everything Beauty Changes Lives believes about the power of education to transform lives. As a master educator, mentor, and longtime supporter of our mission, Sam has helped countless professionals build not only their technical skills, but also the confidence, purpose, and passion needed to create lasting careers in beauty. His legacy is seen in every stylist he has inspired to see this industry as more than a job, but as a meaningful, lifelong path. We are honored to recognize Sam Villa as this year’s Legacy Award recipient in hair,” explains Lisa Roeberg, Beauty Changes Lives President and Executive Director.

Villa’s career has filled his life with purpose, creativity, community, and connection, and his legacy was not built alone.  From his 34 years with Redken where he became an educator with purpose and heart to his 40-year friendship with Beth Carson and Kurt Garehime, who became co-founders of the Sam Villa Company 18 years ago, to his wife Lisa and son Mateo who made countless sacrifices to support his dream, it has truly taken a village. 

“Thank you, Beauty Changes Lives, for this incredible honor. To be recognized in an industry that has given me so much. Thank you for believing in the power of education… mentorship… opportunity… and the future of this industry.  This industry has given me so much more than a career. It gave me purpose, a voice…it gave me a family,” adds Villa.

What does Villa want his legacy to be?  “I hope my legacy is about people who felt seen and inspired…who stayed in this industry because someone believed in them at the right moment. Because legacy is not what you leave behind for people, it’s what you leave inside people…what you build into others,” Villa says.

“Whether we’ve shared a classroom, stage, salon, or simply a conversation along the way, there are so many that have been a part of this journey with me. For that, I’m deeply grateful.⁠ Here’s to the people, relationships, and shared passions that continue to move this industry forward,” says Villa.  “As I tell my son, ‘Success means nothing if you don’t use it to help other people,’ so no matter where your life takes you, make sure to help others in any way possible, you will be rewarded.”

What’s next for Sam Villa?

The new President andCEO of the Sam Villa Company, Kevin Cameron, along with his valued ArTeam and in-house squad, will help Villa lead his brand into its next chapter - the best is yet to come.

“I’m more curious and inspired now than ever. I’m stepping into a new chapter that’s going to challenge and push me to learn and evolve in new ways. For the first time in a long time, there’s something new brewing in my heart, and I’m excited to share it with everyone soon!” says Villa.