The Making of Amarah Studio.
Dive into my story
WELCOME TO OUR STORY.
It’s crazy how one conversation can change everything. What started as a simple collab turned into something much bigger—an opportunity to create a space where creativity, high-end production, and storytelling come to life.
Owning a studio was always the dream, but I wasn’t expecting it to happen now. My team and I were traveling, creating, and making things work in different spaces around the city. In the most unpredictable way, everything unfolded perfectly. The right connections, perfect timing, and a vision that came together effortlessly.
The Amarah Studio came to life—a sleek, curated space where brands and creatives bring bold ideas to reality with ease.
Here’s how it all came together.
IT ALL STARTED
WITH A TEXT…
Well, not exactly. It actually started with a meeting—Rebecca reached out in 2022 to inquire about my services. At the time, it felt like a typical client inquiry, but as we got to talking, we quickly realized there was something more.
We weren’t just operating in the same industry—we were working with the same people, moving in the same circles, and unknowingly contributing to the same ecosystem of beauty and branding in Ottawa. The overlap was undeniable, and beyond that, our visions aligned in a way that felt natural. We both valued high-quality work, creative storytelling, and building an experience that went beyond just a service.
Our conversation was enriched in new ideas and possibilities such as what we could create, how we could collaborate, and where all of this could lead.
THAT’S WHERE IT ALL BEGUN
THE COLLAB THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING!
We were crossing paths more than we realized. At the time, I was still figuring out my niche, exploring different creative directions. In January 2024, I reached out to her for a collab—an opportunity to step into the beauty industry by capturing content for a project she and Kira (Parla Hair) were working on.
That shoot made one thing clear — THIS is what we love to do! More than that, it’s what we needed to do—to showcase our services, elevate our brands, and create work that truly represented our vision. It was a win-win!! From there, we agreed—this wouldn’t be a one-time thing.
As we focused on growing our own businesses, something became so obvious. Our clients were overlapping! My clients were booking hair appointments with Kira. Rebecca’s clients were booking us for their branding shoots. The connection was already there—we were just bringing it to life!!!
A SEED WAS PLANTED!
In February 2024, I was working on a branding shoot with Kira for her stunning, carefully curated bridal club! She needed content for her website, so we made it happen. As we navigated through the two-hour session, Rebecca casually pointed to the other side of her salon and said, "That space is vacant. I think it would fit Kira’s mood."
We went over, took some shots, wrapped up the session—and then, just jokingly, Rebecca said, "Wouldn’t it be cool if you had a studio here?!"
I laughed. "That would be SO cool. I’m actually looking for a studio!"
It was funny at the time, but the truth is, my team and I had been searching for a space to call our own. We’d been looking for months, but nothing felt right—either the cost didn’t make sense, or the timing wasn’t right. So when Rebecca gave me the contact details for the building owner, I was intrigued, but deep down, I wasn’t sure I was ready…
Then, another opportunity for a studio popped up elsewhere in the city. It was bigger, but financially, it wasn’t the right move. I needed structure, stability, and a space that aligned with where my brand was heading—not just a lease to sign.
THE SUMMER SHIFT!
By summertime, things were taking off! My team and I were traveling, booking bigger branding projects, and stepping into the next level of our business!!! Owning a studio was still a dream, but it felt closer than ever!
THEN CAME THE SLOW SEASON…
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that slow seasons aren’t setbacks—they’re opportunities! Instead of panicking, we leaned into it. We focused on our own projects, collaborated with creatives we admired, and kept building.
And then, in November 2024, I reached out to Rebecca again! Little did I know, she was already in the middle of something huge—expanding her salon, taking things to the next level, and creating even more opportunities for artists and entrepreneurs right here in Ottawa. She was intentional about every step of her process—building a space that would redefine the beauty industry in the city. That’s what I respected most about her. She wasn’t just expanding; she was creating opportunities, thinking ahead, and making room for others to grow alongside her. In many ways, we were on the same path. I was also finding ways to bring other professionals into productions, collaborating to scale higher and push the industry forward
But at the time, I didn’t even see it as an opportunity—not even when we started planning our collab. My focus was simply on the project at hand, making sure everything came together seamlessly.
All that to say—it all happened fast! My team and I were deep in strategy mode, figuring out how to bring the concept to life in the best way possible. We had already agreed that for any future projects involving makeup, Rebecca would be our go-to, and she was fully on board. Kira was in too.
With the vision locked in, I was so excited about the styled shoot collab that I even went all in and purchased my Canon R5. Totally worth it!
Now, if you’re wondering, how did a salon work as a photoshoot location?!—let me tell you, Rebecca is a visionary. When she designed her space, she thought ahead. As her business grew, she expanded, creating a stunning, open area specifically meant for one-on-one classes and workshops. But she didn’t stop there—she even built a bridal suite, a private space designed exclusively for brides and their bridesmaids to get ready in peace.
The more I saw the space, the more I realized how much thought had gone into every detail. It wasn’t just a salon—it was a place built for experiences.
So when we set up for our shoot, it felt so comforting, just knowing we all shared the same vision, from the space. The team. The vision. Everything flowed!!!
What felt like a ‘what if’ is now a ‘what’s next.
Throughout the day, Rebecca kept joking, "You guys should have your studio here!!!"
We laughed—because honestly, it felt like we already did. We were constantly here, creating, collaborating, and bringing visions to life. It was a space that naturally felt like home. The energy was right, the workflow was effortless, and every time we walked in, it felt like we were meant to be there.
Then, just as we were about to leave, Rebecca pulled me aside. Her tone shifted—this time, she wasn’t joking.
"I didn’t want to say anything yet, but… what if you moved in? What if this was your studio?!"
I smiled, entertained the thought, but didn’t let myself get too attached. The idea was exciting, but was I really ready? Could I take on something this big? I had been looking for a studio for months, but every time, something felt off—the space wasn’t right, the numbers didn’t make sense, or the timing just wasn’t there.
Was this finally it?
And then, it persisted….
As we packed up, Camila—our stylist—paused, glanced over at the space” I love it here, I love working with them.“ There was an unspoken feeling that something bigger was unfolding right in front of us. She turned to me and said, "Wouldn’t it be amazing if we actually moved here?!" I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and hesitation. "Yeah, it would!!!"
As we were leaving, we passed by the door—without realizing it, we were standing right in front of what would soon become our space. Without hesitation, she reached out and placed her hand on it, then turned to me with so much confidence, like she already knew what was coming.
"We’ll be back for this soon," she said with a smile before we walked out.
It was one of those moments that didn’t feel real at first—like something out of a movie. We left feeling energized, but in the back of my mind, I was still processing it all. Could this actually be happening?
That night, as I sat reflecting on the day, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Rebecca: "I wanted to approach you again about the space next door that we plan on expanding, if you’d like to come by tomorrow to see the space and layout you totally can" I stared at the message. My heart raced. I took a deep breath, is this real?
I prayed on it. God, if this is for me, let it be clear. And to be honest, it couldn’t get any clearer than that.
This felt unreal. But at the same time, it felt so right. Every step of the journey had led to this moment. This was no longer a mere joke or casual conversation—it was the opportunity I had been waiting for. And I knew—God had placed it in front of me for a reason. So I responded: "Let’s meet tomorrow!!"
And the rest? History in the making!
What was once just a prayer is now a testimony!
When I say this journey has been a blessing, I mean it. When Rebecca and I sealed the deal, a million thoughts ran through my head—how much is this going to cost? How will the construction come together? What challenges are we not seeing yet? But Rebecca handled it all. She brought in the contractor (major shoutout to Uncle Jo—this wouldn’t have happened without him), and from there, everything started to take shape.
My interior designer GG Interior Designer ( Guedyo
) came through with a solid floor plan and the perfect limewash finish to bring the vision to life. My team? Absolute SOLID. They rolled with every wild idea I had and helped make them come true!
But the real game-changer? The community. People showed up in ways I didn’t expect—helping me source furniture, finding the right pieces to complete the space, and just being there when I needed it most. This entire process has been fueled by collaboration, support, and a shared belief in what we’re building.
This journey means everything to me! Owning a creative space has always been the goal—not just for myself, but for other creatives in this city to experience something different. A space designed for us, where ideas could flourish and high-end production could thrive.
I’ve traveled from Montreal to Toronto, working in some of the best studios, always inspired by the spaces I stepped into. And deep down, I knew—it was time to bring that same energy to Ottawa!
But stepping into this? It was terrifying!!! Financially, this wasn’t in my plans. Emotionally, I was navigating so much—my grandma had just passed, and December through February were some of the hardest months of my life. I was grieving; I was trying to hold everything together. The thought of taking on something this massive felt overwhelming.
But then, March arrived, with so much hope.
And by April, the dream became REALITY.
This is, without a doubt, the most meaningful 30th birthday gift I could have ever received!! A space where brands can be built, where artists can create freely, and where every detail is designed to inspire!
This is our studio. — It’s a new era. And we’re just getting started!!!
