Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Papp.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jessica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
According to my mom, I started cutting hair at I believe the ripe age of three, sitting in the bathtub naked with safety scissors cutting my first fringe (Bangs).
Fast forward to my early twenty’s, I moved to Costa Mesa to begin my career with Toni and Guy beauty academy.
While in school, I spent my time learning all I could about color, formulating the perfect shades for each client, figuring out which tone fits well with each skin tone. I’m pretty sure I made more color swatches and played with color samples then I did anything else. Cutting was a whole other story, it took me months to understand the flow each cut needed to create the shape just right. I’m still learning new ways to cut by continuing education each year.
After school, I assisted for a shop owner in garden grove, where over the following year and a half, I built my huge clientele, I learned what it took to manage the front desk, stock products also work with a team of stylists. After taking control and running my own scheduling within that salon I wanted to create a more magical experience, that’s when I knew I had to take control of the way I did business for myself. I knew I needed to create a space where each client would love to come visit with me while I worked my magic. That’s when I took a leap of faith an opened a private studio out of Sola Salons in Cypress.
While in Cypress, I expanded my work into weddings, I worked with clients who trusted me and my work ethic to create beauty for them on the best day of their lives. After two years there, I relocated to a suite closer to my home in Huntington Beach.
Find me at Phenix Salon Suites at 5 Points Plaza. I now have an all natural lit space with an ambiance that any client would love. All natural lighting provided by my floor to ceiling windows helps me formulate color even better. Natural lighting helps me see the tone of my client’s hair, how it’s lifting, and what colors I need to use to create the perfect shade for what they want.
Plus, the windows allow us to people watch and enjoy the day passing by.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Struggles are constant in this business.
Moving to a new city to start my education was one of the hardest steps I think I could take. If it wasn’t for my fiancé encouraging me to take the risk to start I don’t think I would have.
I think everyone needs someone to push them to create something magical.
Working within the salon was even trickier. Balancing relationships with other stylists, timing each client just right, all the while handling the salon duties I needed to do each day.
It’s a balance, honestly, some girls can be very mean. You just need to find your go-to friend and be kind to everyone.
I didn’t get to create a team of women I could turn to for advice until I stepped out on my own.
While at the Cypress location, I met multiple women who have helped shape my business. Having women in other parts of the cosmo world to refer clients to is huge. Skin, brows, waxing, lashes, and nails.
Clients trust us to send them to the right people.
While clients want to trust us, we also need to trust them. Creating a bond with each client is something I pride myself on.
I take one person at a time. I learn about their life and how they care for their hair so that I can help them maintain their look while they are at home.
Some clients can create tension, lie, or manipulate you. Learn to find your voice and put your foot down.
Ask any of my clients and they will tell you, I’m very honest and direct. If what they want isn’t something they can get in one session I tell them, I create a timeline to plan out how to make their hair goals happen without breaking their hair or bank! Happy hair is healthy hair.
Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I create a lived in color, taking my clients natural base and blending in different tones to create a seamless look.
Each client comes in with a goal color. To create that goal I need to think of foil placement, how the highlights or low lights will lay and what tone my client wants whether it be a warm, neutral or ash color. Once I have everything planned out, I can start creating.
I love providing a calm one on one relationship with my clients while I work very quickly and efficiently so my clients can continue on with their day.
No one wants to come to the salon and be bounced around from chair to chair all day long. I don’t want my clients to feel like they have to take a whole day off just to get their hair done. Having a structured time slot for each person gives everyone calmer energy. Walking into my salon you know there will be a 5-10 minute consultation every time, then a 30-40 minute application of color, then each client will process for a different amount of time. Toning, washing, and drying take me about an hour, then I give each client a dry cut.
Dry cutting is something I learned outside of school to be one of the biggest tips. Cutting the hair dry allows for a even look and also eases your client’s mind that you won’t chop their hair off.
Most clients won’t be in my chair for more the two and a half hours, allowing them to enjoy their day.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I was so nervous branching off on my own. I sat at home multiple nights and cried to my fiancé. I was so scared that none of my clients would make the move to the new studios with me.
I was proven wrong, of course. Not only did my clients make the drive to the new studio, but I also had clients tell me repeatedly that I am worth the drive and that I needed to charge more.
Having women help lift you up is something so powerful.
I try my hardest to always be a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen to.
There are so many women in this industry that want to see others fail. That’s why building a team of strong successful women to lean on is so important. I want to help any women grow! Everyone deserves support!
Contact Info:
- Address: 18537 Main St Huntington Beach, California Suite 138
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @secretsections
Image Credit:
@mckennaelsner.photo, @jessicaraelenephotography, @freehopephotography, @sarahchingphotography
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