Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Patton
Hi Julia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started working in salons at 15 and quickly connected with the creative energy of a salon. Wanting to pursue a career, I attended the Aveda Institute in Chicago, where I worked incredibly hard to learn as much as I could. I was offered a position to become an instructor, which I accepted, believing that teaching would enhance my skills and deepen my understanding of the craft. After teaching for two years, I decided to work at an Aveda salon full-time to begin building my clientele, spending over seven years there.
Seeking to deepen my understanding of the business side of the industry, I opened my own salon suite, running it successfully for four years. Looking for a new challenge, I moved to San Francisco and intentionally chose a salon that would push me outside of my comfort zone. After working there for three years, I opened my own salon, where I continue to work today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s always going to be struggles in every career and mine have shaped who I am today. A few that stand out include building a clientele before social media. You had to be confident and bold in pursuing new clients, it was time consuming and one of the main ways of getting new clients. Navigating the 2008 recession was a challenge, figuring out how to retain clients when they were very nervous about spending. Relocating to a new city and starting from scratch meant rebuilding my business. I also had to learn how to build an online presence through social media. Navigating the pandemic brought its own hurdles & lessons. And opening a salon in an expensive city presented yet another challenge. What I’ve learned through all of this is that every struggle has just built more confidence in myself, making me less fearful when new challenges arise knowing I have the strength and experience to navigate them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I specialize in has evolved over the years. At the moment, I specialize in creating a great experience for each client. That means having a welcoming space and an in-depth consultation where I really listen to my client’s needs. Customizing a haircut is about finding the right balance between what the client wants and what will work best for them. I guide them in making choices that suit their face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle. I primarily use my razor now, but also use scissors for detail/finishing work. The space I’ve created is also a big part of this experience, it’s intimate, calm and visually interesting.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I hope the industry continues to move towards being more sustainable and environmentally conscious. I also believe education, especially foundational education for new professionals, should remain the core focus over what’s trending. This will help future professionals grow and adapt, no matter what’s popular at the moment and build a successful career as the industry evolves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jpattonsalon.com
- Instagram: jpattonsalon
Image Credits
@andrewdoeshair
@garrettmarkenson
