As a beginner in the industry, no doubt you’ve experienced a time where you felt unsure of yourself, uncertain of your talent and capabilities in the salon—what if I’m not good enough? What if I mess up? What if they leave unhappy?

The truth is, every successful stylist has experienced the fear, the uncertainty and the anxiety. Even the most successful stylists had challenges in cosmetology school, felt the anxiety of servicing their first client, and felt the fear when applying for their first salon job. But they persevered through the challenges.

The expression: ‘Success is a journey, not a destination’—this expression holds true as we talk to some the industry’s finest about their challenges, their successes and their first salon jobs.

“Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really: Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it—so go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success.”

—Thomas J. Watson, President of IBM, who oversaw the company's growth from 1914 to 1956.

SHERRI JESSEE
Salon owner, Rusk Creative Team member

Sherri Jessee in high school.


Sherri Jessee, salon owner.


Jessee with Irvine Rusk, founder of Rusk.

It began in mountainous Bristol, Virginia, where Sherri Jessee grew up. “I was eleven years old when I started cutting my own hair—I really wanted to have Farrah Fawcett’s feathered hair and going to the salon was just something we didn’t do back then,” Jessee says. “So, I cut off an inch at a time, hoping my parents wouldn’t notice, and slowly began cutting in the layers.” Around the same time, after a “traumatizing” trip to the barbershop with her father, Jessee became the personal stylist for her younger sister, Karen (who now works with her as her salon manager).

“Even as a young girl, I remember drawing pictures of hair styles; however, I never thought of hairdressing as a real career,” Jessee says. In fact, Jessee actually began college with a major in theater, but couldn’t afford the steep tuition. A friend suggested she go to cosmetology school—so she did, at Virginia Academy of Hairstyling.

“I’ll never forget my first hair cut on the floor: Two and a half hours later and with beads of sweat on my upper lip and forehead, my instructor, Mrs. Capps, came over to me and said, ‘If you don’t learn to work faster, you’ll never make any money.’” With time and practice, Jessee’s speed and accuracy did improve, allowing her to develop a thriving business.

Her first job was working at a salon called The Hair Zoo—ran by a husband and wife duo, and they were tops in the town.

“Working in a commission-based salon takes a bit of time to build your business—but don’t be discouraged!” Jessee says. “I shampooed, swept hair, and watched every cut they did to learn the techniques. I even did add-on services to fill my time, like painting intricate designs on fingernails, and to boost my growing business.”

In the ‘80s, cuts and perms were “all the rage”— and Jessee kept a busy clientele while avoiding color clients. “With color, there are so many variables; and fear steered me completely away from doing color services,” she says. Yet, in the ’90s, as the industry changed, understanding color became essential. After an inspiring color class, Jessee learned more about natural levels, underlying pigments and how to reach the desired level. “With tons of practice and experience, now nearly every one of my female clients receives some type of color service,” she says. “As the industry changes, it is imperative that we keep learning about new products, tools and techniques. Continuing your education will keep you excited and in love with this wonderful business!”

Years later, after much hard work, Jessee went back to school and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, thinking she would get out of hairdressing and become a school teacher. Yet, even after she graduated, she didn’t accept any of the teaching jobs offered to her. “I just couldn’t stand the thought of giving up hair—I loved it so much!” she says. “How amazing for me to now be able to merge theater, teaching and hairdressing as part of the Creative Team for Rusk.”

When Jessee attended her first Rusk hair show, Rusk was actively looking to develop a local design team, so she applied to be an educator. Within the first year, she taught nearly 60 in-salon classes in seven states. “I went anywhere that was within an eight-hour drive,” she says. Including one time when she drove two hours through a major snowstorm to find an open airport so she could fly to Los Angeles and assist at the Rusk Academy.

“Another big break for me was attending the MODERN SALON Artist Session in September 2009—it created an entirely new chapter in my hairdressing career by igniting in me a passion for doing make-up and hair for photo shoots,” she says. “I have been fortunate enough to work with great people and have my work published in magazines all over the world!” In addition, Jessee works with Rusk celebrity spokesperson Nancy O’Dell, which has allowed her to work with celebrities in video and on television.

After two years at her first salon, Jessee was ready to open her own salon—and, 25 years later—she’s still running it. “My grandfather had a coffee cup embossed with the motto, ‘Why work 40 hours for someone else when I can work 60 hours for myself.’ That pretty much sums it up as a salon owner: It is a position that requires dedication and hard work. It truly is a labor of love; however, I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

Remember, she says, keep learning, keep growing, and you will keep loving your job!


Jessee with Nancy O'Dell, Rusk's spokeswoman.


Check out more industry icons talking about their first salon jobs:
Beth Minardi: My First Chair
Faatemah Ampey: My First Chair
Michael Shaun Corby: My First Chair
Sherri Jessee: My First Chair
Kimberly Kimble: My First Chair
Patrick Mathes: My First Chair