Falling Into Things

I started teaching for Eufora, a hair care company based in California, in the fall of 2006. When I first started, I found that a good ice breaker was asking my audience how they got into the beauty industry. A common theme always ran through the room.

“I started cutting my Barbies’ hair at 4.”

“I gave my sister her first bang trim when I was 5.”

“By middle school I was doing all my friends hair.” 

There is also a huge population of this industry who will say they grew up in the salon watching Mom and Dad do hair. The smell of perms and curling irons seems to permeate the soul. It always seemed interesting that my answer was so far from any of that.

“Well, I just kind of…fell into it.” And that seemed so lackluster when compared with the shine of all the other inspiring, funny, and poignant stories. 

Many of you know I failed out of college my freshman year and some time after that, my Mom insisted I get a job. I didn’t have a car or money, so I had to walk. And walk I did. Right to all the shops on Main Street. The first business I came to was Ace Hardware. I’m not handy. So. 

The second was a hair salon, which was an unfamiliar space for me. I knew nothing about this industry but something drew me in. It may have been the Italian woman who trained me to shampoo, specifically the details of a proper shampoo and scalp massage. Or, it could have been the name Miracles on Main Street. I began shampooing and 5 months later I started Beauty School. There are some other fun details in that story but I’ll leave those for some other blog entries;)

I was a jock in High School; the farthest type of person from people who cared about hair and appearance. However, in that season, I did fall in love with the opportunity to serve and take care of people.

Simply put, I felt called. 

Somewhat regrettably, time and time again, I would share my share story of just “falling into it.” But from where I sit fourteen years later, I have learned to see things differently.

I’m not so certain falling into something actually exists. I think the house I walked to Main Street from that day was chosen for my mother and her two daughters, so that I could walk to that specific business. I think this career has been hand picked for me. I searched for the Flourish studio space for two and a half years before I was led here. I left Phenix to find Heather. Further, I believe all my experiences have equipped me to listen, and relate, and create.

Not one of you has taken a seat in my chair by coincidence either. You didn’t fall into it.

I become a better wife, mother, friend and stylist because you come and sit with me. I have endless stories of being blessed by simply getting to do my job. I treasure each of you. And am deeply thankful for the opportunity to create art with you.

Looking forward to whatever we fall into next.

~Jenni