Born and raised in sunny Sarasota, Florida with a natural passion for art and design, Wade began his professional creative journey at Florida State University where he pursued a degree in Fine Arts. Once finished, he began to explore various avenues that combined his passion for art and design with the joy he received from serving others. He attended the Aveda Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida where he developed a solid foundation in his craft. In 2008, Wade was offered a scholarship to Aveda's Masters Program which gave him the ability to perfect his skills and learn advanced techniques. In the early part of his career he worked closely with mentor Scott Thomas, owner of Scott Thomas Salon in Sarasota Florida. It was during this time that a passion for teaching and mentorship was cultivated and developed. He continued his education through advanced courses taught by some of the industry's best and most renowned stylists, while continuing to gain hands-on experience behind the chair.

As the Creative Director and Founder of Artistry Salon, Wade’s vision was to create a space with only the best products, exceptional services, and to deliver a phenomenal customer experience to each and every guest. With a laser focus on clean, health conscious, and sustainable brands, he also desired to create a professional culture where artists who wanted more, could be a part of something that was elevated, yet not pretentious. He wanted to create an environment that fostered learning and collaboration that helped mentor artists who wanted more for themselves; professionally and educationally.

These core principles built on exceptional customer experience, advanced technical education for all artists, and a mindful and meticulous attention to every detail and professionalism define his professional ideals and his vision for Artistry Salon