Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Lopez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
“Yes mom, I want to cut my hair that short”- Jamie, 7
I was given a wonderful outlook on one’s own definition of beauty from a young age. I was embraced when I wanted to play with my Nana’s makeup, I was allowed to be a little late to school because I had to wear my maroon velvet hat and simply couldn’t find it, and I was completely supported when chopping my hair off in second grade.
My success is partially based on my fascination with grooming and identity and equally due to being raised were all we had to create new looks was imagination, glue gun and a sewing kit.
I was captivated by the women in my household getting ready for the day and transforming. From “Mom” in pjs making breakfast to “Cecilia” curling her hair, applying her lipstick and just like that, she was someone else. These roles were only separated by how she groomed herself. And eventually it hit that not only would I forever play with my looks but decided to be in the beauty industry.
“If you need extra money, you can clean the salon on Mondays” – Jamie’s Boss (Jamie, 21)
To start in the beauty industry is tough. It was a lot of “who you know” kinda moments. And frankly, I didn’t know anyone. I also was used to a very humble beginning so a lot of opportunities that weren’t paid were also not options for me. I eventually found a salon that stressed education and promised steady pay. I signed up right away. I was assisting an incredible woman Named Effie and she taught me everything I needed to know about being a self-reliant woman and of course, she taught me how to do hair. But most importantly, she taught me to speak your truth in the times when it’s hardest and to be honest.
She saw how I packed my lunch each day and when times were a little tight, didn’t have lunch at all. Honestly, I was so happy to be doing hair that I really didn’t mind skipping a meal. I had so much confidence in my future that the small hurdles never bothered me. She politely pulled me aside one day and offered me more money if I deep cleaned the salon on the day that it was closed. There was a whole unspoken conversation that was being had behind that gesture. It was her saying “I see you working to make it, let me give you more opportunity to keep the dream alive.”
I learned that as a woman who did not have many favorable chances, always take them. And to strive to be in a position that you are able to give opportunities one day.
“I know what I offer, and I am simply not getting paid enough” – Jamie, 27 quitting her job.
I learned quickly through encouraging the assistants in the salon, that teaching was natural for me. Then came a moment where it was perfect to leave the shop and Effie. Armed with the confidence to teach, I started instructing at a Cosmetology program.
It was the stars aligning for me.
I loved preparing for a class, I loved seeing improvements or double rainbow moments like when it’s a stylists first haircut to perform and a young client’s first haircut to receive. #Magical
Beauty School is like high school but everyone’s in the same class and learning the same thing. Navigating through that as an instructor is tough. Haircutting and coloring is essentially math and chemistry but on the head. And for students who typically described themselves as artists, it wasn’t the easiest thing to teach. Then you had to ensure that this group ranging of all types of learners, ages, and dispositions actually grasped it. I made it the most fun I could, played movies that had iconic hair, jeopardy games that helped them prepare for tests, we made music videos, constructed wigs out of unconventional items, visited museums for inspiration. All the things that made this experience seem worthwhile.
But just like any educator will tell you, funding is tough. I still maintained my personal clientele while I was an instructor, yet still barely making the bills on time. I realized teaching at a private beauty program there was no one to represent me for gathering a raise. And as a Latin woman, the statistics are grim for equal pay. With Latina’s being dead last to anyone in America on the earnings scale. I eventually asked for a raise, was denied, shortly after I found a new job and left the school.
I look back dearly at my years teaching and what I gathered from it was my niche in the industry, I get the most fulfillment by encouraging, coaching, and seeing development.
“Jamie, you are value-based” – Jamie’s meeting with executive, two months ago.
So here I am now, my job title is “West Coast Regional Hair Expert” for an on demand beauty service brand called Glamsquad. My role in a nutshell is to on-board, offer education and creatively maintain the hair team for our Los Angeles, Orange County and Bay Area Markets.
That’s a fancy way of saying I work with wonderful, talented inspiring stylists that typically have a strong freelance career OR have a strong urge to be in the freelance realm. I also keep an eye on trends closely and constantly share with the team to keep their skills sharp and most importantly, current.
Glamsquad being a relatively new (6 y/o) company I am granted with SO much beyond the creative hair side. I am able to see how a business is run, how to track data to optimize a company, how to prioritize for the betterment of a bigger goal. It all seems like going to college sometimes. And I can’t help but feel misplaced. When my whole professional life has been hair, how am I to be in charge of things that aren’t hair related?
This is something I realize women deal with when having trouble analyzing their worth in a workplace setting.
Until recently, I would grapple with overcompensating, because I wanted to prove that I am capable of mastering google sheets formulas and analyzing data, as well as learning how to do flat iron waves and an updo to teach a “how-to” the following week. It’s a lot of hats you wear in a startup world, it’s exciting and unpredictable and that can be a breeding ground for uncertainty. All I can say is that I am thankful for “command-z” on my MacBook.
I recently had a touchbase meeting and it consisted of how we feel when we come to work. Basically, our wins and concerns on a day to day basis. It turned into a poignant observation.
“Jamie you are value-based.”
It was an epiphany moment. I have been called impatient, distracting, and questioning. My intentions were typically well-meaning I just couldn’t help but keep what I was feeling inside me. Though it’s good to be self-aware, I was in a place of trying to change these qualities about myself. In meetings, I couldn’t help but make suggestions based on the stylists who would be impacted, it’s with this empathy that my values lie.
I know it’s not easy to be self-motivated all the time, and like I mentioned, this industry is tough. I am in a position where I can change that norm, make it easy, I can provide opportunities, I can encourage and support women and men get their goals. I am so happy that I am here on my journey. And it feels astounding to see all the lessons I’ve learned working to my advantage in my current position.
I still keep in touch with Effie, I follow and am blown away by what my former students are accomplishing, and I am always still doing my clients, grinding like young Jamie always did, and plan on continuing to lead with my values first.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest obstacle is being hyper self-conscious how my work is perceived. I love a grand reveal when working on a personal client or on set. It’s tricky.
though, art and intuition is highly involved with hair. Your design decisions might not align. Hair is a moving fabric and there’s a million reasons why your cut, color or style might not respond exactly as planned.
With every discovery I gather, I am becoming a better hairstylist.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Glamsquad – what should we know?
Glamsquad is a wonderful company. Like I mentioned before, I am in charge of our west coast hair team as well as building my personal clientele.
I feel what separates me the most is my ability to always personalize what I am doing. If a client is having issues explaining exactly what she wants, I will sit with her and even explain a little bit about how hair reacts so they know why certain things might be working. Or on set, I try make the models as comfortable as possible. And with Glamsquad, I try my hardest to make sure my team feels heard, that people applying for the team are seen. Being as present as I can, with who I am working with or working on.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Honesty and a good bedside manner.
Honesty has gotten to the most transparent answers with clients and employers. If a client is asking for something that I don’t feel it fit, I will politely encourage something else but explain why.
If an employer is asking for something that I personally don’t know how to do. I am the first to admit it and gather the information to accomplish the job.
Pricing:
- Hourly rate/day rate – $100 an hour
Contact Info:
- Phone: 3104288920
- Email: [email protected] – [email protected]
- Instagram: Jamikins_does_beauty
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