Sara Jones
Sr. Vice President and General Manager
Joico and ISO
Licensed: Stewart’s School of Cosmetology, Sioux Falls, SD, 1980. As I think back at how far I’ve come, now leading such great brands like Joico and ISO, it’s a background that I am very proud to have come from.
Tell us: Three highlights of your career:
1. Teaching color theory to stylists and having them tell me that for the first time in their careers, they finally understand how to do hair color and more importantly, how to correct color mistakes.
2. Re-launching the Joico hair care range in 2006. It was a huge project that required every function in the company to participate. The teamwork was amazing and the results were too!
3. Receiving the “Spirit of Life” award as the Professional Salon Industry’s honoree for City of Hope in 2011. This was such an awesome experience and as it’s always been a very personally meaningful cause for me, it was especially rewarding when our campaign raised $1.2Million dollars for women’s cancer treatment and research.
Beauty legend you admire: This is hard, because there are several women I look up to with great regard. But if I had to choose, I’ll say Ann Mincey. From the first time I saw Ann speak on stage in 1981 to today, she has always been the epitome of grace and professionalism. Whether you are speaking to Ann one-on-one or you’re one of thousands in her audience, she makes you feel important and special. Ann has this ability to… and moreover she’s very cognizant of teaching us valuable life lessons, not just through her words, but most importantly, by way of example. She helps people discover their inner strength and confidence...priceless!
Choose beauty because: As I myself experienced, a cosmetology license can take you far beyond the salon, if that’s what you choose. From salon owner, to manufacturing to distribution to instructor, the list goes on. And as we’ve all seen over the past several years, the beauty industry survives quite well even during a weak economy. And, perhaps the best reason of all, is the beauty industry is full of fun, creative and generous people. This is a very fulfilling industry to be in, both emotionally and monetarily.
Tip: Make sure to find that ever important work/life balance. If not, you’ll simply burn out and eventually forget the joy that the beauty industry is all about.
Quote or mantra: “Think. Believe. Dream. Dare.” These words were ingrained in me by Matrix founder Arnie Miller. He would say, “Think about what you want to accomplish. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Dream big. Dare yourself to do it!”
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