October 16, 2025 • 48 mins
Let’s talk real beauty biz, no fluff. In this episode of Beauty Bound, Cristal sits down with Jenny Wayne, owner of Hairway2Heaven26 in Helotes, Texas, to get brutally honest about what new stylists are (and aren’t) learning, why 10-minute consultations are a non-negotiable, and how a team-first color studio can turn anxious graduates into confident professionals.Jenny shares her journey from Germany’s multi-year cosmetology training to building a level-based salon in Texas that actually teaches the craft: real consultations, advanced color theory, texture education (including curly haircut fundamentals), and hands-on collaboration you don’t get when you’re working alone in a suite. We get into state testing, mannequin vs. human models, assisting, retail done right, how to price like a pro, and why it’s okay to refer out what you don’t love.If you’re a beauty school student, new stylist, salon owner, or suite renter thinking about your next move, this one’s your roadmap to building skills, confidence, and a career that lasts.What You’ll LearnEducation Gap (and Fixes): Why many grads can’t run a 10-minute consult, how to practice it, and how salons can rebuild confidence fast.Curly Hair ≠ Afterthought: Why texture education belongs at the beginning (not the end) and what “understanding how hair falls” really means.Color Theory That Pays: Neutralizing on real canvases (not just the book), banding fixes, and avoiding muddy results.Germany vs. U.S. Training: Multi-year school + apprenticeship, testing on humans, and why mannequins aren’t enough.Level-Based Growth: Jenny’s Associate → Level 1–5 path, goals, and the numbers that actually move a stylist up.Teamwork That Sells: Two-person blowouts, efficient foiling/assisting, and consult-driven retail without feeling salesy.Pricing & Professionalism: Why “cheap” isn’t a strategy, how clients buy experience + expertise, and where to draw the line.Comp & Benefits: W-2 employment, hourly + commission, same-day tips, flexibility, and even 401(k)—yes, for stylists.Fan-Favorite Moments“Can you actually hold a 10-minute consultation?” — the bar every stylist should clear.Why two stylists blow-drying a client at once makes her feel like a queen (and saves real time).The brutally honest take on suites vs. salons (lonely vs. collaborative).Cristal’s story of being told she “wasn’t fast enough”… and opening her own studio anyway.Jenny on refusing services she doesn’t love—and referring out with zero ego.Key TakeawaysConsultation is the service. If you can’t lead a clear, 10-minute consult that sets expectations, you’re gambling with results, retail, retention—and reviews.Texture belongs at the foundation. Curly and wavy cutting isn’t an elective; it’s core. Learn how hair falls first, then add techniques.Theory meets canvas. Books say blue cancels orange. Real heads bring residual red, bands, splat dyes, porosity… Learn neutralization in context.Team Over Lone Wolf. Assisting, foiling help, and two-person finish work compound speed, quality, and client experience.Specialize to grow. Love color? Double down. Hate updos? Refer out. Expertise beats being a “maybe” at everything.Pay models matter. Clarity (hourly + commission), benefits (W-2, 401k), and same-day tips keep great stylists in-house and motivated.Education never stops. Classes, shows, and intentional team events build confidence, culture, and revenue.🖥 *Follow Us for More:**Connect with us on Social Media*https://www.instagram.com/beautyboundtx/https://www.facebook.com/BeautyBoundTXhttps://www.tiktok.com/@beauty.bound*Cristal Rubio* (Beauty Pro Bookkeeping): https://www.instagram.com/beautyprobookkeeping | https://www.beautyprobookkeeping.com*Filmed & Produced by:* Peachtree Rose Marketing: https://peachtreerosemarketing.com | https://www.instagram.com/podcaststudiosatx | https://www.instagram.com/peachtreerosemarketing | Matt Nelson: https://www.instagram.com/officialmattnelson
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
I think the state board needs tomake it mandatory that there is
more teaching, yes. More teaching, yes.
And it starts basic curly hair. That is one of my passions.
And that's the biggest right now.
It's like. It's not even touched in school.
In school, that is something I'mlike, oh.
Curly haircuts are one of the the number one services that
(00:24):
people are looking for, especially all women with curly
hair. Yeah, I know that.
Believe me, if somebody was to ask me for a curly cut, I don't
I would don't even know where I would start because I never got
trained on that. I'm not behind the chair anymore
but still like I even my daughter.
My daughter goes to another one of my friends to get her haircut
(00:47):
because she has WAVY hair and I'm like I'm not going to fuck
you up. And you actually hold a 10
minute consultation with the client.
That is something most of the new people fail because they
don't even know what to ask. It's man.
So they're not even teaching that anymore here or any that's
that's insane. Well, not in depth.
(01:09):
It's it's like. Just like, oh, what do you want?
What do you need? What are what are we doing
today? I would like a trim and then we
doing a trim Yeah, but that's that's exactly what the client
was asking for. Yes, but there is no no
guidance, there is no hey collaboration, There is no let
me change your app. I have this idea that it's an
(01:33):
artistry. It's bring your ideas recommend
something up sale. Yeah.
You know, and one of the things that you do your guys is retail
girl, I'm a girl. You guys do so good.
And I think it is because of your consultations.
(01:55):
Hello everyone, welcome back to Beauty Bound.
I am your host, Crystal Rubio. I am the owner of Beauty Pro
Bookkeeping and you can find me on Instagram at Beauty Pro
Bookkeeping and online www.beautyprobookkeeping.com.
But today I am joined by a wonderful guest.
(02:16):
Her name is Jenny. She is the owner of Hair Way to
Heaven 26. You know, I, she's not only one
of my clients, she's also one ofmy really good friends and an
amazing stylist. So I'm going to turn it over to
her so she could introduce herself a little bit and and
tell you guys a little bit aboutherself.
(02:37):
Hi everybody. I'm Jenny Wayne.
I'm the owner of Heavy, Heavy toHeaven 26 in Old Town Helodes.
I'm originally from Germany. I came to Texas about 10 years
ago with my lovely husband. He was in the military.
He retired here in Texas and we decided to stay.
(03:00):
So I built it. I built my business back up here
in the lovely San Antonio. Wow.
And. So 10 years, yes.
Wow. I I don't know why I thought
you, you've been here way longerthan that.
Nope, it's been 10 years, 2016. Before that you were Germany in
Germany. No.
(03:20):
We were in the States a couple of times and then we were lucky.
We had two tours back in Germany.
We were in Tennessee, we were inMaryland, in California.
So we hopped around OK with the military quite often.
I worked for different salons. Yeah, license in different
state. You're not only licensed in a
(03:42):
different country, but you're also licensed in different
states or right? Well, I had to take my license
here in the States again. That way I was able to work in
the United States even though I had my license in Europe.
Yeah, it wasn't. I wasn't able to transfer it.
It wasn't. I don't know what the English
(04:05):
word is for that. Transferable.
Yeah, they didn't accept it eventhough I had way more hours.
Your education in Germany is. Way long.
Extensive. It's extensive.
And you were you were saying earlier when you were talking
before we we got on here. It wasn't just ten months or you
(04:28):
know, like it is here in the in the United States.
No. You said how many years?
It's In order to get your regular license to work as a
stylist, you have to go to school for three years combined
with an apprenticing ship in a salon.
So three years and then you get your regular cosmetology
license. If you want to work as owner and
(04:51):
you want to open up your own salon, you have to go full time
another six months to a school and get your masters.
What? So it's if you combine
everything, almost four years ofschool.
So yeah, it's quite different. Yeah, Here you're going to go to
school and and do everything. Yeah.
So when you went to the school for the three years first, what
(05:15):
is it that you learn there? Because I know here you OK, you
go to beauty school, 10 months, you learn hair, nails and skin,
right? Yeah.
And within those months, you're supposed to learn anatomy,
you're supposed to learn chemistry, you're supposed to
learn. And when I say all those things
(05:35):
is because a hair is is a science.
The chemistry is mixing your hair colors, you know all the
product, the skin care. You have to learn the anatomy
because you need to know exactlyyou know what muscles you're
touching as you're massaging a face or the scalp, like what?
You know the occipital bone or you know all these other when
(05:56):
you're cutting hair. But how are you supposed to
learn that in 10 months, right? Opposed to in Germany.
You kind of can't. I would say you can't in
Germany. It's a little bit different in
the first year. It's it's separated in the first
year. You do a lot of like helping
(06:18):
other people, you do a lot of cleaning, you do assisting.
You get like the basic of how todo a roller set.
You get the basic of hair cutting, You get the basic of
everything but on mannequins, ifyou want to say so that's for a
whole year. And then they teach you the same
(06:40):
in school, The theory part of that, what you learn.
And then in the second year it'sgetting a little bit more
advanced. You work on clients.
You then transition into color. You do the theory of color, you
do the the different textures ofthe hair, you do perms it it's
going more into depth. And then in the fourth year you
(07:04):
learn the bones and it goes, everything is combined.
You learn way more. So you touch everything for a
whole year and then the whole exam, you touch all of it.
You everything is going to be tested in the exam.
And you do it on a natural human.
Natural human? Yes.
You have to bring a model to thestate board for your nails.
(07:27):
You have to bring in model for your hair, model for everything.
Yeah, it's a human. It's not a mannequin.
Yeah. I was telling you earlier too,
when I took my exam, I had to bring in a model as well.
I was the last class in my school that like right when the
laws were changing. So they had talked about the
(07:49):
laws changing, and I think I went January of 2010 or 11 to
get my license. And then the month afterwards,
it was a mannequin. So I got.
I'm glad I had to do because, you know, I finger waves the
roller set. You know, I had to learn a
little bit more. Yeah.
(08:11):
And I still got to work on people while I was on the floor.
I did 14 months, which is still not enough.
There's still so much more colorthat you have to learn, I feel
like. Now you as a salon owner, what
are some of the things that you feel have lacked with the
students or even trying to employ people?
(08:33):
What has lacked, oh I would say over here what I see is when
people come out of school, they don't, not everybody, but the
maturity has to learn the basic of hair cutting.
They know the basic of colouring, but the theory of
(08:55):
colour they don't know. No, they don't.
They don't understand that hair actually is already theory of
colour, so that's missing the the customer service aspect is
missing. They have so much anxiety
because they worked on mannequins.
(09:15):
They didn't work on humans enough.
That's insane. It's.
It, it changed, it really changed or and because they're
half past state board, they think they're ready and then
they're so disappointed because they're hit with that such a
(09:36):
brick wall that they're going tolast.
They lose the, the passion for the industry, which is so great
in my opinion. You can make a huge amount of
money if you have passion for the industry.
And then they lose the passion and then they quit after two
years and that's sad. It's really, really sad.
Especially because beauty schoolis not cheap.
(09:59):
No, it is not cheap. And then also when they come
out, it's for the owner. Really frustrating because we're
putting so much effort and passion into those people and
then they're going to quit because it's not fast enough for
them or they they feel like I just learned for a whole year.
Why do I have to invest another two years for learning?
(10:21):
It's there is a gap. What I think is missing, and I
think it's not necessarily just the schools.
I think the state board needs tomake it mandatory that there is
more teaching, more teaching andit start basic curly hair.
(10:41):
That is one of my passions. And that's the biggest right
now. It's like.
It's not even touched in school.In school, that is something I'm
like. Yeah, 'cause I know that's one
of the, and I don't want to callit a trend, but it's one of the
best sellers. I'd, I'd like to say like the,
the curly haircuts are one of the, the number one services
(11:03):
that people are looking for, especially all women with curly
hair. I know that, believe me, if
somebody was to ask me for a curly cut, I don't I would don't
even know where I would start because I never got trained on
that. I'm not behind the chair anymore
but still like I even my daughter.
(11:23):
My daughter goes to another one of my friends to get her haircut
because she has WAVY hair and I'm like I'm not going to fuck
you up. I, I personally think that, and
I might ruffle some feathers if I say that if, if you trained
very well in cutting hair, understanding how hair falls
straight or curly, you know? How to cut curly hair?
(11:46):
I hate cutting hair. Yeah, then that that is
something different than specialized in color.
If you really like the industry,you don't have to be good in all
of that's my that's why my hair salon is a color studio.
We specialize in color and cuts.That's it.
I hate perms, I hate updos. I don't like bridals, all of
(12:08):
that stuff. I'm not doing it.
I'm not good. I refer people out to to
stylists I know who are good in there and I have no problems
doing that. But yeah.
But yeah, that's see, and that'sa, that's a one thing.
I think I, I, I would try to stay away always from haircuts.
(12:31):
Me. It was I love doing fun colors,
colors, vivid, vivid is my, my thing.
And so that's what I love doing all the time, you know, but when
it came to the hair cutting, I was always like, I feel like I
wasn't taught the right way. And because I wasn't taught the
right way, I would try to find education.
And so I would go to like the matrix classes and stuff and I
(12:53):
was like, Oh my gosh, yes, I'm going to get it.
But I feel like I just didn't have that.
Like that was not one of my gifts.
The hair cutting part. I'm just like, like, no.
And I mean, I'll, my other daughter who has the straight
hair, I don't, I'll cut her hair.
Like I feel confident in cuttingher hair and I give her her
layers and everything. But the other one, I'm just
like, no, I don't want to mess up your hair.
(13:15):
But like I said, if you have the, you know, the basics down,
I'm sure you know, But it's moreof that being afraid, I think,
and not having that confidence, Yeah.
That that is another thing that goes back to when you get out of
school, the salon owner that rebuild people.
We are not just hiring, we're rebuilding.
(13:36):
You. Yeah, if you have the
confidence, you're good in hair cutting, Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, exactly. And that's what I think and see.
And I didn't mean I'm like, and then when I came here to when we
moved to Texas, I remember goinginto a salon to, you know, I
mean, I had, I had already been behind the chart for years.
And I went into a salon to I guess to test out to see if they
(14:00):
could hire me. And I'm very, I'm a
perfectionist when it comes to color and I'm not, I don't know
how to do like, like speed color.
And I remember I man, she was just staring at me the whole
time because I was taking my time doing the hair.
(14:21):
And it was my daughter's hair too.
So I'm like, I'm not going to mess up her hair.
So I wasn't going fast. And I was giving her highlights.
My daughter has a bunch of hair.And I remember she was like,
yeah, you're, you know, it's notgoing to work out.
You should come in and practice more because you don't have the
technique down. And I was like.
(14:42):
But that's it. That's her job, to teach you.
Yeah. And I was like, OK, so then I
remember telling my husband I'm like, she basically told me I
sucked, but I've been doing hairfor like 10 years already.
And after that, I was like, man,and I, I had been, you know,
working the whole time. So I was just like, man, I don't
(15:02):
think I'm meant to do this anymore.
And I kind of like, I, I, I, what is it?
I gave myself a little pity party for a little bit and I was
like, Oh no. That's not what.
I went, yeah, I went and I, I, Iwent into a studio on my own and
even though I had no clients, I was like, then I, I had to
figure it out and I, you know, Iwas in the studio, but it was
(15:24):
that it was somebody else like basically telling me you don't
know how to do this. Then I was like, let me show you
that I do. Yeah, yeah, I'm all for
empowering. Yeah, I mean.
And you always do. I'm.
Yeah. Yeah, you can learn everything.
Yeah, you do that a lot. I know you have at your studio,
you're you're hiring. I'm hiring.
(15:46):
I'm. Always hiring, you're always
hiring. And one of the things that I
love about the your hiring process is your different tiers
because they when they come in, you normally hire apprentice,
right, associates, the associates and then they move
up, right, yes. So as an associate, could you
(16:06):
explain to me like the differenttiers and how it is that they
move up? I had their start in my salon as
an associate. The associates program can go
from six months to nine months. It depends on each person.
Some people learn fast, some other people they need a little
bit longer. It really depends on the person.
(16:28):
If you bring the numbers and if you fulfill all the requirements
to graduate from that program, you'll you graduate into stylist
level 1. The prices go up a little bit
for your services. And then you, you work in that
(16:50):
field, yes, for a period of time.
And you work on your goals for the next level.
So it it, it really depends on where you are comfortable and
what goals you have. If you want to make more money,
you work, you work on getting toyour next level.
Yeah. Yeah.
And then for, for those I, I know you have, you have some
(17:14):
amazing stylist now. I do.
And I know your manager, right, Kim?
She's the one that's been with you the longest, correct?
No, she was my second hire. Yeah, Jen, my Jen is the first
one. The first one, yeah.
She's a Level 3 stylist. Kim is.
(17:36):
She started as an associate. She's now Level 2 and is my
manager. She has amazing qualities.
She is dedicated. She loves all of my stylists.
Actually started as associates. And yeah, you can actually work
your way up. And have they all assisted you
(17:56):
at one point? Yes, everybody.
We work as a team. Even if you're a Level 5
stylist, you have to help. It's a teamwork.
We always collaborate. Is that the word collaborate?
Yes, we brainstorm together. It's it's always a team.
That's awesome. And I see that a lot on your
(18:17):
social media as well where you you try to take them to events,
to classes I do. You're always making sure that
they're educated and everything that they do.
I think honestly, if anybody comes and and interviews, you
know, it would, it would be the smartest thing to do would be to
come and work for you, you know?I would say so myself.
(18:39):
Yeah, because you're you're empowering them, you're trying
to help them grow. I know that we were talking
about how there is a lot of things that the schools are
doing that we always think it's just the schools that are doing
right, that they're not teachingenough or they're not doing
enough. But I think the more we look
into it, we end up coming to theconclusion that the ones that
(19:03):
are not doing enough is CDLR correct.
And what are some of the things that you wish that would change?
Let's say you had TDLR in front of you right now.
Oh, I want them to change the requirements.
(19:24):
I want them to push more the hair like make it a test that
they test out on humans hair cutting that they test out on.
OK, do a color correction, testing out or walk me through
at least something something yesor or or just let them walk in
(19:54):
and give me a consultation that takes 10 minutes.
Can you actually hold a 10 minute consultation with the
client? That is something most of the
new people fail because they don't even know what to ask.
So they're not even teaching that anymore here or any that's
(20:15):
that's insane. Well, not in depth.
It's it's like just like, oh, what do you want?
What? Do you need?
What are what are we doing today?
I would like a trim and then we're doing a trim.
Yeah, but that's, that's exactlywhat the client was asking for.
Yes, but there is no, no guidance.
There is no, hey, collaboration.There is no, let me change your
(20:38):
app. I have this idea there it's an
artistry it's bring your ideas recommend something up sale it's
hello. Yeah, you know, and one of the
things that you do your guys is retail girl, I'm a girl.
You guys do so good. And I think it is because of
(20:59):
your consultations. It is because of the.
I feel like you're, I, I haven'tbeen there to like to see you,
you know, from start to finish with a yeah, with a, with a
client. I think I did one of the things
that I was impressed, one of thetimes that I went into your
salon, you were, you were actually foiling and Kim was
(21:20):
assisting you with the foils. And to me, that has always been
so intriguing. And it's been intriguing because
I thought I had never seen it with anybody else.
Yes, I had seen it one other time.
And you know who I saw it with? I don't know if you know who.
Oh my gosh, What Tracy, is it Tracy Kellingham?
(21:48):
No, Oh my gosh. Social media.
She's a, she's not a social media person, but she is.
She was a Redken educator and she was at one point she was
Khloe Kardashian's stylist and she used to be Jlo stylist as
(22:08):
well. So I learned from her one time
while when I was in California and man, when I saw her doing,
you know, she was, she was training us and she's over here
with the brush and the bowl, right?
And then as she's turning with the brush, you know, she had
(22:30):
already had the hair in her hand.
She turns with the brush, and there was already a foil
underneath it. She wasn't even done.
And that, you know, she just applies.
They fold, the foil turns back. Yeah.
And I was like. What we have, we do that too.
Sometime it depends on the situation, but that is.
Awesome. I could never understand how
people were so fast. To me, I was like, how you know
(22:51):
we? Also blow dry together
sometimes. It depends on the situation and
then we have clients in the chair say.
Cunningham Yeah, yeah. Wow.
I need to research that I'm looking.
Into that, that's her. Nah.
And she's so nice, so down to earth.
But she was the first one, yeah,that made me, after already
being in the industry for a longtime, she is the first person
(23:14):
that made me want to go back andassist.
Nice. Because I was like, why didn't I
do this from the beginning? I would have learned so much
more. But I was in a small town where,
I mean, I, where was I going to go?
Look, you know, And she was in Beverly Hills, you know, But it
(23:35):
was one of those like, if I could learn from someone like
that. And so when I saw that walking
into your salon and that was going on, I was like, oh, man,
this is amazing. This is what it means to
actually train a stylist, to actually help somebody grow, to
actually work as a team. You don't see that because I
(23:58):
feel like everybody's out there to like one up one other, like.
There's a lot of competition andI hate, I personally cannot
stand it. It, it drives me crazy.
That's why I push so much for teamwork.
Yes, it's there's enough people for everybody.
We don't need that stupid competition.
(24:20):
So yeah, that's what I was trying to say earlier was when
we do blowouts and people have time, they come, hey, can do you
need help? And I will never turn down help.
So yeah, we blow dry sometimes with two people together and
then the client says, oh, that'sthe first.
I never had two people blow dry me at the same time.
(24:41):
And then they're like, I feel like a queen.
I'm like, yeah, you should feel like a queen.
And it goes faster. People pay for for for time.
That's the only thing we can give them more time.
So yeah. That's awesome.
And see, that's what I'm telling.
It's all these things that you don't think about.
And it's, I had only seen it andit was with her.
That was the first person I eversaw it with.
(25:03):
And I always like, I mean, I, I didn't go back to assisting
because I was like, man, I've already been in the industry for
so long. Like wouldn't that be weird if I
went back to assist? But it was something that I, I
wish I would have started off mycareer assisting rather than
like going full force. I think I would have learned a
lot more. I think it's it's important.
(25:25):
And do you, do you ever get any like people who are fresh out of
school who once they get there and they start and then they're
disappointed because of what like their expectations were?
Because I feel that they, I honestly feel people are
delusional when we get out of school because we think we know
(25:47):
it all, but we don't. I think yes, yeah, it's a very
fine line. Sometimes I have seen people,
yes, they know it from the book and they're correct.
But then I say, OK in in theory that is correct what you're
(26:10):
telling me. But if you put that theory the
way it is on a person's head, it's not turning out what the
theory is telling you because the canvas is different.
You have to keep that in mind. And that is something what I
what I think the school should teach because, yes, when I mix
(26:33):
red and blue, it's purple. Yes.
But the canvas is not always just red and blue.
It's so, yeah. They come out and they say, I
know this. And then they wonder, why is it
orange? Yeah, Well, yeah, because it's
like if you go, let's say if youwant, wanted to go in into my
hair and all of a sudden I tell you, you know, I'm kind of bored
(26:54):
of the red. I want some highlights in there.
Yeah, right away. Somebody's going to want to do
what? Usually they're bleached out,
right? Yeah.
Yeah. And then, but then when it picks
up orange, they're going to wantto go in with just a straight
blue and maybe a little bit of Violet.
(27:17):
But then they're not going to think of the red pigmentation in
there. So they're going to forget the
the green and. Then they have a muddy mask.
Yep. Yeah, I have seen it.
I have seen it or yeah. Yeah, yeah, 'cause it's, it's
true. It's like, or if I you know,
it's, it's people don't think that orange is just not, you
(27:40):
know, it's not just the, the yellow and, and that's it, or
that there's always, well, we'lljust put blue in it.
Well, no, you do need some greenin there 'cause there's red.
Yeah, I, I know that's one of the, the things I feel like they
don't teach enough at school. I know one of the there was one
(28:00):
of the, the biggest things that you have always, I think one of
the things that you always kind of not get angry, but frustrated
with. So please go on.
And I know it's more of like on,on the stylist who are fresh
(28:20):
stylist who think they don't need to know something because a
client is not going to know or the client doesn't know if I
took an exam or the client, you know.
And it's more when a stylist isn't knowledgeable enough or
when a stylist feels like they know too much What?
And it's more on the shortage ofstylist.
(28:42):
I think the licensing requirements.
I saw it on your notes and maybeI'm going wrong with it.
You could go ahead and tell me if I'm going wrong with it.
I mean that clients, when they actually sit in the chair, they
deserve professionals because they're paying money and you
work on their their body. And I think the word
(29:07):
professionals, that's what the industry is about.
It's not just on paper. So you have to put education.
And that's where I get frustrated.
And that that is something what where I get frustrated is, oh,
it is just a trim. And the kitchen style kitchen
stylist, yeah, I'm going to cut your hair for 10 bucks.
(29:29):
And then they're wondering why aclient comes to a salon and
says, yeah, but I have a stylist, they cutting it for 10
bucks. Well, I'm not.
My haircut is 79. You get the whole experience.
You get my education, my knowledge, my experience, my all
of overhead, all of that stuff. So that's frustrating to me.
(29:52):
And then people wondering why the beauty industry is so under
it is that is my frustration professional.
OK. And that, yeah.
And that's what I was, because Iremember.
Like the connection? Yes, because I remember, I
remember a post that you had made and I feel, and I feel this
as well because I know that there we do have a lot of people
(30:14):
asking, oh, where can I find a stylist that does this cheap?
That gets me going. Yeah.
And it's like, OK, so do you want it cheap and bad or do you
want it cheap and good? Because you're not going to get
that. You're going to get cheap and
(30:36):
bad Probably, yeah. There isn't a cheap and and good
unless you're going to get it cheap and maybe decent because
the products are from Sally's. Yeah.
And then when it has ruined and then you go on social media and
you bash the stylist. It's not the stylist's fault.
(30:56):
No. It's really not.
No, because they're this style is probably learning too.
They probably haven't experienced a good salon or to
go and find somewhere to work at.
Yeah. And the products from Sally's
are not the. Best they're not they they
always say, but it says professional.
(31:19):
I question that. All the time.
All the time, yes. Especially like with splat, I
will not touch. Any hair what has splat on it I
will not. I did it one time.
I did it one time too. Never again.
That was it, because it doesn't come out the hair.
(31:40):
Nope, it won't stay here. You need to cut it off.
Yeah. I've had that happen before and
I was like please don't tell me you use black because if if you
did I'm not doing your hair. But if people.
Don't understand. I get it.
It stays, really. Good.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's cheap and it stays.
Unexpected to come out, yeah. That is something it's really,
(32:01):
really frustrating, yeah, when people say that.
You're like, I can't do that. No.
So you're licensed and I, I knowI asked you earlier, how many
states are you licensed in? All of the states in the United
States, I would say. For real?
(32:22):
Yeah. Because you've been to, you've
lived in. I can.
Transfer mine anywhere. No, I know you can.
You can, but you hold, do you hold the light 'cause I know you
lived in California, right? Yeah.
Did you work as a stylist there as well?
No, I did not. So which states have you worked
as a stylist? In Maryland and in Texas.
In Texas. Awesome.
(32:43):
So then business wise, have you had a business in all three
states or is this the first state that just in Texas, just
in Texas and in Germany, yes. OK, so now have running a
business in Germany and running a business in Texas.
What are the biggest differencesthat you have found as far as
(33:04):
able to run them? Was it easier to run?
And I don't, I don't think running a business is easy.
I think it's the hardest shit you've ever had to do.
But what is it easier to run a business in Germany than it is
in Texas? Or vice versa?
Or equally hard. That is a very hard question.
I would say for me personally, it was harder here only because
(33:30):
I went in blind. I went, I did not.
I learned as I go and I learned that the different laws, the
laws are so different over here.You need a paper for this and
you need a paper for that and, and, and this needs registration
and that is way easier over there.
(33:51):
If you get your license and yourinsurance, you're done.
You don't need any thousand different things.
It's way easier. Oh man, yeah, I feel like well
and even. OK.
So from here, running a businessin Texas is easier than running
a business in California that's also a a different and even
(34:15):
though it's harder here. Than I don't want it in.
Texas, Oh my gosh, no. In California you need all kinds
of permits. And then before you could even
open your salon, you need all these other things too.
Like you need, you know, there'sso many things that you need to
be able to open up here in Texas.
I remember I applied for my minisalon license and then just
(34:38):
transferred my my Cosmo license to Texas and I was able to open.
It was, but that's also in a studio that was already set up.
Yeah, when I opened up my one room studio in Chassis salon,
that was easy. I just had to have my mini salon
(34:59):
license and everything was takencare of from the, the the the
building. Yeah, that was easy.
But then when I outcrew that place and I got bigger, I was
like, Oh my God, I need. Certificate of Occupancy.
Right. Yes.
And then the fire department andthis and all of those people had
(35:20):
to come. And I'm like, what the heck?
And then I met you. Yeah.
And all my numbers. I'm like, I need to do this.
And then I need to do that. I'm like, Oh my.
God. Yeah, way too, way too much.
Now like moving on to the business part of it.
I think way. Too much what has been, I think
(35:43):
your hardest because I know whenI came in and you, you had
questions, obviously, you know, but what from I think from from
when we started to now, I've seen growth, but I've also, I've
also seen struggles. You know, it hasn't just been
all like rainbows and butterflies.
(36:04):
It's been, it's, it's been like it's been a process for sure.
It's been a process of the hiring, the finding the right
people, the getting your numbersright, the being able to, you
know, get your website to get that up and running, you know,
(36:25):
as even looking for social mediapeople.
Like there's been so many thingsthat have happened behind the
scenes that people don't get to see.
They only see happy, smiley Jenny.
They see the Jenny who is hard working.
They see the Jenny who shows up to herself.
(36:46):
You see, and but that's good. Like I feel like you are
genuinely you with your people. You, you do obviously get
frustrated like everybody else, but I feel like nobody ever gets
to see our struggles as far as like our hardships when it comes
to the business, our health, when it comes to the business,
(37:10):
our reasons why we have to take time off, our reasons why we
have to do a lot of things, you know, because we don't let
people see all of that 100% of the time.
I think our clients see it. Social media doesn't see it.
No. Our clients sit there and cry
with us. Sometimes you know we or we cry
(37:32):
with them. Yeah, business, business wise, I
try to keep it away from the clients.
Yeah, yeah, it's their time. Yes, they they, they get the
therapy. Session.
Yeah, so you cry with them. I cry with them, Yeah, yes.
But you cry with them, but they're trying to get to see.
Our private stuff at home, Yeah,yes.
And I know throughout this year,you've had quite a few.
(37:55):
You injured your. Yeah.
My foot, I had injury, yeah. Yeah, which is not good.
But even during those times, your team held it together.
Amazing. Yeah, even now I'm on vacation
and Oh my God, I don't know if you saw it, but the reviews are
just coming in. And when I read the reviews it
(38:16):
gives me some goosebumps and a little bit of pee pee in my ass
because they're praising the teamwork and this is me not even
being there. So I know they're working their
ass off. Yeah, you created an amazing
team. What I'm struggling with is in
the shop finding new stylists. I need new stylists.
(38:38):
I'm growing. The people are the clientele is
growing. They love us.
I need passionate stylist and what?
Do you think you're struggling so much in that aspect?
A lot of new stylists, or stylists in general, they're
going into suites. They want to work by themselves.
(38:59):
Yeah, for some people, that's it.
It was for me for five years, a good way to make my income.
But the downside from it was it was very lonely.
It was just me and my client. I could not collaborate with
(39:20):
anybody. There was no brainstorming.
There was not gossiping. Yeah, when you wanted to.
It was just, there was not even going away and just venting.
Yeah. You were just with your client
24/7. And it was, it was pretty
lonely. Yeah.
So I I enjoy having a team. Yeah.
(39:41):
So for all those new stylist, I feel like anybody who is out
there getting ready to go and get out of school, I think if
you are looking for a job, if you're trying to, you know, to
learn more, please come see her.And I do all the work behind the
scene. She.
Really. Does She does?
(40:02):
Do all the stuff. Yeah.
One of the things that I think alot and a lot of stylists don't
understand is the Commission. I think part of it, the hourly
part of it. And a lot of stylists do get
screwed over when it comes to that.
And I'll be the one to tell you because I run payroll, that she
(40:24):
is up to date on the way that payroll should be ran.
She does, you know, pay hourly. She does Pay Commission.
She does do all the things depending on where you're at as
a stylist, whether you're starting as an associate or or
you, you know, as you move up, obviously your pay changes.
(40:44):
So obvious. Always be aware of how you're
getting paid. The pay structure in any salon
that you go to. Yeah, that's very important
because I think even you as a salon owner, this is one of the
things that I think can be hard is the the paying hourly opposed
(41:06):
to Commission or you know, vice versa.
But you know your style is worth.
Yes, and I have to say yes Ioffer hourly.
All of my stylists have hourly and Commission based contracts.
But 99.9% my my stylists get Commission their work, they get
(41:30):
Commission and and plus tip plusI also offer the four O 1 ioffer
paid time off sometimes. Yeah, it depends on how you, how
long you have been with me. I'm very flexible with work
schedule. I don't keep you there if you
(41:51):
don't have clients. I want you to enjoy your family.
Yeah, it's it's a give and take.And you are AW2 employee W2.
You're not a 1099, you're AW 2. And with when you're AW2
employee, all supplies are provided.
The only thing you have to bringis your scissors and then
(42:14):
whatever you would like to bring, yeah, color, whatever
not, but it is supplied by the employer, yes.
So, and that's one of the cool things I think that there isn't
a lot of people who do that. I, you know, I know a few of, of
salon owners who do that, but not everybody does that.
(42:35):
So be aware that for me, like the one thing that I don't think
gets offered enough is a 41K. Yeah.
And you're doing that? I'm doing that.
I also which is so awesome. Also implemented last year the
system Tippy Yeah, which allows me to give my stylist their tips
(43:00):
the same day. Yeah, they don't have to wait
until payroll comes around because I know how important it
is to have your tip. Because there's a new law.
Yeah, there's a new law. Yes.
So you go wait. It's a good thing, though.
Good thing. So for for those who actually
get tips, your tips are I think it's up to $25,000 are not,
(43:28):
they're not counted towards yourincome.
That's a good thing. Yeah, Yeah.
So you won't be taxed on up to $25,000.
I think it is, I'm not 100% sureof the number, but it's a it's a
big old chunk of of your tips that you will not be.
Oh, yeah, because you won't be taxed on them.
So I think that style is we always worry like, man, they're
(43:48):
going to, you know, I have to pay taxes on the tips.
You won't. You no longer have to on a
certain amount. And that'll be for when
everybody files taxes next year.For this year, you.
Oh yeah, I like that. So it's exciting.
What are some of the the updatesthat you have going on and for
what are some of the cool thingsyou have coming for hair Way to
(44:10):
heaven. Oh.
We have, well, our, we do alwaysteam events.
So in September we're going and doing sound baths together as a
team, specialized for team building.
Yeah. Which I think is really cool.
Yeah, every time another stylistcan pick.
(44:34):
So we do that as team and then Christmas is coming.
We do Christmas parties together.
That's awesome. Yeah.
Yeah. And I know you guys have you
guys went to like an awards thing where you was it through
the chamber? Yeah, last year.
Last year, right? Rewarded Yeah Award best
business in Hello this Yeah. And that's what I love.
(44:57):
Yeah, I love that you always do team building.
You always do. I know you guys just went to
like a business meeting, not business meeting, a business
convention, the Aspire. Yes, Aspire, I think it was.
That was cool. We try to go together.
Yeah, as a. Team and you go to the hair show
sometimes correct? Are you guys going to the one
(45:18):
coming? Up not this year no we we're
planning on eventually going on a trip flying we'll see where to
so we need to save I'm. Not I'm like, she said.
We'll see. I'm like, yes, we'll see.
It depends on the team. Yes, yes, yes.
That's awesome. So one of the cool hair shows to
go to is the Long Beach one. The one that's in, I think it's
(45:41):
January every year, the Long Beach hair show in California.
My gosh. If I yeah, if we can make that,
that would. Be Oh my God, that would be so
awesome. But yeah, tell us again where
they could find you. You guys can find us in Old Town
Helodes right behind Wine one O 1.
(46:01):
We are really tucked away in a cool Old Town feeling.
I think it's really cozy, yeah. Yeah.
And then their Instagram, our Instagram is.
Oh my God, I play. She's.
(46:21):
It's. Yeah.
The reason she blanked, though, it's because she does have quite
a few Instagrams. And the reason being is I do.
Yes, yes, she has an Instagram that is for hiring.
Yes, it's it's let me see H2H26 join.
(46:43):
I think I'm let me look. Can I?
Yes, go ahead. I have three different ones.
Join under score. So we have for the stylists join
under score age to age 26 team that is for hiring and stylist
(47:05):
updates. Then we have our regular Headway
to Heaven 26 Instagram page and then I have my personal Jenny
behind the scene Instagram page as well.
You can ask can find us on Facebook heavy to Heaven 26 and
on TikTok. We have TikTok too.
(47:25):
I'm not quite often there, but sometimes.
But I know she is trying to get into all of that.
So one of the things that you will see, it's the join under
score H2H26 team that will be stored away in beauty bounds
highlighted stories. So that way you guys know
(47:45):
exactly where to go when you hear this episode, you'll see it
on like under linked under there.
Nice. Yeah, totally.
Please, It's OK. But I do want to thank you for
being on. I've been very excited.
I've been trying to get you actually on from the beginning.
Yeah, I think from the beginningof the year I've been asking
(48:07):
her. We are.
We're busy bees. I know we've had a lot, both of
us have had a lot going on, but I am very excited to finish off
the year strong. And I say finish off because I
feel like we're already almost done with this year.
But I can't wait. What's in store for you for the
(48:28):
beginning, beginning of 2026? Because it's going to be what
they call what like a golden. They say golden birthdays, but
I'll call it a golden year because it'll be.
Golden Goose. Yes, because hair Way to Heaven
26. There's more things to come, but
I can't give it away. Oh, I'm excited for that.
Yes. So yeah, thank you so much for
(48:49):
joining us, and we will see you next time.
Thank you. Yes.
Bye. Bye.
I think the state board needs tomake it mandatory that there is
more teaching, yes. More teaching, yes.
And it starts basic curly hair. That is one of my passions.
And that's the biggest right now.
It's like. It's not even touched in school.
In school, that is something I'mlike, oh.
Curly haircuts are one of the the number one services that
(00:24):
people are looking for, especially all women with curly
hair. Yeah, I know that.
Believe me, if somebody was to ask me for a curly cut, I don't
I would don't even know where I would start because I never got
trained on that. I'm not behind the chair anymore
but still like I even my daughter.
My daughter goes to another one of my friends to get her haircut
(00:47):
because she has WAVY hair and I'm like I'm not going to fuck
you up. And you actually hold a 10
minute consultation with the client.
That is something most of the new people fail because they
don't even know what to ask. It's man.
So they're not even teaching that anymore here or any that's
that's insane. Well, not in depth.
(01:09):
It's it's like. Just like, oh, what do you want?
What do you need? What are what are we doing
today? I would like a trim and then we
doing a trim Yeah, but that's that's exactly what the client
was asking for. Yes, but there is no no
guidance, there is no hey collaboration, There is no let
me change your app. I have this idea that it's an
(01:33):
artistry. It's bring your ideas recommend
something up sale. Yeah.
You know, and one of the things that you do your guys is retail
girl, I'm a girl. You guys do so good.
And I think it is because of your consultations.
(01:55):
Hello everyone, welcome back to Beauty Bound.
I am your host, Crystal Rubio. I am the owner of Beauty Pro
Bookkeeping and you can find me on Instagram at Beauty Pro
Bookkeeping and online www.beautyprobookkeeping.com.
But today I am joined by a wonderful guest.
(02:16):
Her name is Jenny. She is the owner of Hair Way to
Heaven 26. You know, I, she's not only one
of my clients, she's also one ofmy really good friends and an
amazing stylist. So I'm going to turn it over to
her so she could introduce herself a little bit and and
tell you guys a little bit aboutherself.
(02:37):
Hi everybody. I'm Jenny Wayne.
I'm the owner of Heavy, Heavy toHeaven 26 in Old Town Helodes.
I'm originally from Germany. I came to Texas about 10 years
ago with my lovely husband. He was in the military.
He retired here in Texas and we decided to stay.
(03:00):
So I built it. I built my business back up here
in the lovely San Antonio. Wow.
And. So 10 years, yes.
Wow. I I don't know why I thought
you, you've been here way longerthan that.
Nope, it's been 10 years, 2016. Before that you were Germany in
Germany. No.
(03:20):
We were in the States a couple of times and then we were lucky.
We had two tours back in Germany.
We were in Tennessee, we were inMaryland, in California.
So we hopped around OK with the military quite often.
I worked for different salons. Yeah, license in different
state. You're not only licensed in a
(03:42):
different country, but you're also licensed in different
states or right? Well, I had to take my license
here in the States again. That way I was able to work in
the United States even though I had my license in Europe.
Yeah, it wasn't. I wasn't able to transfer it.
It wasn't. I don't know what the English
(04:05):
word is for that. Transferable.
Yeah, they didn't accept it eventhough I had way more hours.
Your education in Germany is. Way long.
Extensive. It's extensive.
And you were you were saying earlier when you were talking
before we we got on here. It wasn't just ten months or you
(04:28):
know, like it is here in the in the United States.
No. You said how many years?
It's In order to get your regular license to work as a
stylist, you have to go to school for three years combined
with an apprenticing ship in a salon.
So three years and then you get your regular cosmetology
license. If you want to work as owner and
(04:51):
you want to open up your own salon, you have to go full time
another six months to a school and get your masters.
What? So it's if you combine
everything, almost four years ofschool.
So yeah, it's quite different. Yeah, Here you're going to go to
school and and do everything. Yeah.
So when you went to the school for the three years first, what
(05:15):
is it that you learn there? Because I know here you OK, you
go to beauty school, 10 months, you learn hair, nails and skin,
right? Yeah.
And within those months, you're supposed to learn anatomy,
you're supposed to learn chemistry, you're supposed to
learn. And when I say all those things
(05:35):
is because a hair is is a science.
The chemistry is mixing your hair colors, you know all the
product, the skin care. You have to learn the anatomy
because you need to know exactlyyou know what muscles you're
touching as you're massaging a face or the scalp, like what?
You know the occipital bone or you know all these other when
(05:56):
you're cutting hair. But how are you supposed to
learn that in 10 months, right? Opposed to in Germany.
You kind of can't. I would say you can't in
Germany. It's a little bit different in
the first year. It's it's separated in the first
year. You do a lot of like helping
(06:18):
other people, you do a lot of cleaning, you do assisting.
You get like the basic of how todo a roller set.
You get the basic of hair cutting, You get the basic of
everything but on mannequins, ifyou want to say so that's for a
whole year. And then they teach you the same
(06:40):
in school, The theory part of that, what you learn.
And then in the second year it'sgetting a little bit more
advanced. You work on clients.
You then transition into color. You do the theory of color, you
do the the different textures ofthe hair, you do perms it it's
going more into depth. And then in the fourth year you
(07:04):
learn the bones and it goes, everything is combined.
You learn way more. So you touch everything for a
whole year and then the whole exam, you touch all of it.
You everything is going to be tested in the exam.
And you do it on a natural human.
Natural human? Yes.
You have to bring a model to thestate board for your nails.
(07:27):
You have to bring in model for your hair, model for everything.
Yeah, it's a human. It's not a mannequin.
Yeah. I was telling you earlier too,
when I took my exam, I had to bring in a model as well.
I was the last class in my school that like right when the
laws were changing. So they had talked about the
(07:49):
laws changing, and I think I went January of 2010 or 11 to
get my license. And then the month afterwards,
it was a mannequin. So I got.
I'm glad I had to do because, you know, I finger waves the
roller set. You know, I had to learn a
little bit more. Yeah.
(08:11):
And I still got to work on people while I was on the floor.
I did 14 months, which is still not enough.
There's still so much more colorthat you have to learn, I feel
like. Now you as a salon owner, what
are some of the things that you feel have lacked with the
students or even trying to employ people?
(08:33):
What has lacked, oh I would say over here what I see is when
people come out of school, they don't, not everybody, but the
maturity has to learn the basic of hair cutting.
They know the basic of colouring, but the theory of
(08:55):
colour they don't know. No, they don't.
They don't understand that hair actually is already theory of
colour, so that's missing the the customer service aspect is
missing. They have so much anxiety
because they worked on mannequins.
(09:15):
They didn't work on humans enough.
That's insane. It's.
It, it changed, it really changed or and because they're
half past state board, they think they're ready and then
they're so disappointed because they're hit with that such a
(09:36):
brick wall that they're going tolast.
They lose the, the passion for the industry, which is so great
in my opinion. You can make a huge amount of
money if you have passion for the industry.
And then they lose the passion and then they quit after two
years and that's sad. It's really, really sad.
Especially because beauty schoolis not cheap.
(09:59):
No, it is not cheap. And then also when they come
out, it's for the owner. Really frustrating because we're
putting so much effort and passion into those people and
then they're going to quit because it's not fast enough for
them or they they feel like I just learned for a whole year.
Why do I have to invest another two years for learning?
(10:21):
It's there is a gap. What I think is missing, and I
think it's not necessarily just the schools.
I think the state board needs tomake it mandatory that there is
more teaching, more teaching andit start basic curly hair.
(10:41):
That is one of my passions. And that's the biggest right
now. It's like.
It's not even touched in school.In school, that is something I'm
like. Yeah, 'cause I know that's one
of the, and I don't want to callit a trend, but it's one of the
best sellers. I'd, I'd like to say like the,
the curly haircuts are one of the, the number one services
(11:03):
that people are looking for, especially all women with curly
hair. I know that, believe me, if
somebody was to ask me for a curly cut, I don't I would don't
even know where I would start because I never got trained on
that. I'm not behind the chair anymore
but still like I even my daughter.
(11:23):
My daughter goes to another one of my friends to get her haircut
because she has WAVY hair and I'm like I'm not going to fuck
you up. I, I personally think that, and
I might ruffle some feathers if I say that if, if you trained
very well in cutting hair, understanding how hair falls
straight or curly, you know? How to cut curly hair?
(11:46):
I hate cutting hair. Yeah, then that that is
something different than specialized in color.
If you really like the industry,you don't have to be good in all
of that's my that's why my hair salon is a color studio.
We specialize in color and cuts.That's it.
I hate perms, I hate updos. I don't like bridals, all of
(12:08):
that stuff. I'm not doing it.
I'm not good. I refer people out to to
stylists I know who are good in there and I have no problems
doing that. But yeah.
But yeah, that's see, and that'sa, that's a one thing.
I think I, I, I would try to stay away always from haircuts.
(12:31):
Me. It was I love doing fun colors,
colors, vivid, vivid is my, my thing.
And so that's what I love doing all the time, you know, but when
it came to the hair cutting, I was always like, I feel like I
wasn't taught the right way. And because I wasn't taught the
right way, I would try to find education.
And so I would go to like the matrix classes and stuff and I
(12:53):
was like, Oh my gosh, yes, I'm going to get it.
But I feel like I just didn't have that.
Like that was not one of my gifts.
The hair cutting part. I'm just like, like, no.
And I mean, I'll, my other daughter who has the straight
hair, I don't, I'll cut her hair.
Like I feel confident in cuttingher hair and I give her her
layers and everything. But the other one, I'm just
like, no, I don't want to mess up your hair.
(13:15):
But like I said, if you have the, you know, the basics down,
I'm sure you know, But it's moreof that being afraid, I think,
and not having that confidence, Yeah.
That that is another thing that goes back to when you get out of
school, the salon owner that rebuild people.
We are not just hiring, we're rebuilding.
(13:36):
You. Yeah, if you have the
confidence, you're good in hair cutting, Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, exactly. And that's what I think and see.
And I didn't mean I'm like, and then when I came here to when we
moved to Texas, I remember goinginto a salon to, you know, I
mean, I had, I had already been behind the chart for years.
And I went into a salon to I guess to test out to see if they
(14:00):
could hire me. And I'm very, I'm a
perfectionist when it comes to color and I'm not, I don't know
how to do like, like speed color.
And I remember I man, she was just staring at me the whole
time because I was taking my time doing the hair.
(14:21):
And it was my daughter's hair too.
So I'm like, I'm not going to mess up her hair.
So I wasn't going fast. And I was giving her highlights.
My daughter has a bunch of hair.And I remember she was like,
yeah, you're, you know, it's notgoing to work out.
You should come in and practice more because you don't have the
technique down. And I was like.
(14:42):
But that's it. That's her job, to teach you.
Yeah. And I was like, OK, so then I
remember telling my husband I'm like, she basically told me I
sucked, but I've been doing hairfor like 10 years already.
And after that, I was like, man,and I, I had been, you know,
working the whole time. So I was just like, man, I don't
(15:02):
think I'm meant to do this anymore.
And I kind of like, I, I, I, what is it?
I gave myself a little pity party for a little bit and I was
like, Oh no. That's not what.
I went, yeah, I went and I, I, Iwent into a studio on my own and
even though I had no clients, I was like, then I, I had to
figure it out and I, you know, Iwas in the studio, but it was
(15:24):
that it was somebody else like basically telling me you don't
know how to do this. Then I was like, let me show you
that I do. Yeah, yeah, I'm all for
empowering. Yeah, I mean.
And you always do. I'm.
Yeah. Yeah, you can learn everything.
Yeah, you do that a lot. I know you have at your studio,
you're you're hiring. I'm hiring.
(15:46):
I'm. Always hiring, you're always
hiring. And one of the things that I
love about the your hiring process is your different tiers
because they when they come in, you normally hire apprentice,
right, associates, the associates and then they move
up, right, yes. So as an associate, could you
(16:06):
explain to me like the differenttiers and how it is that they
move up? I had their start in my salon as
an associate. The associates program can go
from six months to nine months. It depends on each person.
Some people learn fast, some other people they need a little
bit longer. It really depends on the person.
(16:28):
If you bring the numbers and if you fulfill all the requirements
to graduate from that program, you'll you graduate into stylist
level 1. The prices go up a little bit
for your services. And then you, you work in that
(16:50):
field, yes, for a period of time.
And you work on your goals for the next level.
So it it, it really depends on where you are comfortable and
what goals you have. If you want to make more money,
you work, you work on getting toyour next level.
Yeah. Yeah.
And then for, for those I, I know you have, you have some
(17:14):
amazing stylist now. I do.
And I know your manager, right, Kim?
She's the one that's been with you the longest, correct?
No, she was my second hire. Yeah, Jen, my Jen is the first
one. The first one, yeah.
She's a Level 3 stylist. Kim is.
(17:36):
She started as an associate. She's now Level 2 and is my
manager. She has amazing qualities.
She is dedicated. She loves all of my stylists.
Actually started as associates. And yeah, you can actually work
your way up. And have they all assisted you
(17:56):
at one point? Yes, everybody.
We work as a team. Even if you're a Level 5
stylist, you have to help. It's a teamwork.
We always collaborate. Is that the word collaborate?
Yes, we brainstorm together. It's it's always a team.
That's awesome. And I see that a lot on your
(18:17):
social media as well where you you try to take them to events,
to classes I do. You're always making sure that
they're educated and everything that they do.
I think honestly, if anybody comes and and interviews, you
know, it would, it would be the smartest thing to do would be to
come and work for you, you know?I would say so myself.
(18:39):
Yeah, because you're you're empowering them, you're trying
to help them grow. I know that we were talking
about how there is a lot of things that the schools are
doing that we always think it's just the schools that are doing
right, that they're not teachingenough or they're not doing
enough. But I think the more we look
into it, we end up coming to theconclusion that the ones that
(19:03):
are not doing enough is CDLR correct.
And what are some of the things that you wish that would change?
Let's say you had TDLR in front of you right now.
Oh, I want them to change the requirements.
(19:24):
I want them to push more the hair like make it a test that
they test out on humans hair cutting that they test out on.
OK, do a color correction, testing out or walk me through
at least something something yesor or or just let them walk in
(19:54):
and give me a consultation that takes 10 minutes.
Can you actually hold a 10 minute consultation with the
client? That is something most of the
new people fail because they don't even know what to ask.
So they're not even teaching that anymore here or any that's
(20:15):
that's insane. Well, not in depth.
It's it's like just like, oh, what do you want?
What? Do you need?
What are what are we doing today?
I would like a trim and then we're doing a trim.
Yeah, but that's, that's exactlywhat the client was asking for.
Yes, but there is no, no guidance.
There is no, hey, collaboration.There is no, let me change your
(20:38):
app. I have this idea there it's an
artistry it's bring your ideas recommend something up sale it's
hello. Yeah, you know, and one of the
things that you do your guys is retail girl, I'm a girl.
You guys do so good. And I think it is because of
(20:59):
your consultations. It is because of the.
I feel like you're, I, I haven'tbeen there to like to see you,
you know, from start to finish with a yeah, with a, with a
client. I think I did one of the things
that I was impressed, one of thetimes that I went into your
salon, you were, you were actually foiling and Kim was
(21:20):
assisting you with the foils. And to me, that has always been
so intriguing. And it's been intriguing because
I thought I had never seen it with anybody else.
Yes, I had seen it one other time.
And you know who I saw it with? I don't know if you know who.
Oh my gosh, What Tracy, is it Tracy Kellingham?
(21:48):
No, Oh my gosh. Social media.
She's a, she's not a social media person, but she is.
She was a Redken educator and she was at one point she was
Khloe Kardashian's stylist and she used to be Jlo stylist as
(22:08):
well. So I learned from her one time
while when I was in California and man, when I saw her doing,
you know, she was, she was training us and she's over here
with the brush and the bowl, right?
And then as she's turning with the brush, you know, she had
(22:30):
already had the hair in her hand.
She turns with the brush, and there was already a foil
underneath it. She wasn't even done.
And that, you know, she just applies.
They fold, the foil turns back. Yeah.
And I was like. What we have, we do that too.
Sometime it depends on the situation, but that is.
Awesome. I could never understand how
people were so fast. To me, I was like, how you know
(22:51):
we? Also blow dry together
sometimes. It depends on the situation and
then we have clients in the chair say.
Cunningham Yeah, yeah. Wow.
I need to research that I'm looking.
Into that, that's her. Nah.
And she's so nice, so down to earth.
But she was the first one, yeah,that made me, after already
being in the industry for a longtime, she is the first person
(23:14):
that made me want to go back andassist.
Nice. Because I was like, why didn't I
do this from the beginning? I would have learned so much
more. But I was in a small town where,
I mean, I, where was I going to go?
Look, you know, And she was in Beverly Hills, you know, But it
(23:35):
was one of those like, if I could learn from someone like
that. And so when I saw that walking
into your salon and that was going on, I was like, oh, man,
this is amazing. This is what it means to
actually train a stylist, to actually help somebody grow, to
actually work as a team. You don't see that because I
(23:58):
feel like everybody's out there to like one up one other, like.
There's a lot of competition andI hate, I personally cannot
stand it. It, it drives me crazy.
That's why I push so much for teamwork.
Yes, it's there's enough people for everybody.
We don't need that stupid competition.
(24:20):
So yeah, that's what I was trying to say earlier was when
we do blowouts and people have time, they come, hey, can do you
need help? And I will never turn down help.
So yeah, we blow dry sometimes with two people together and
then the client says, oh, that'sthe first.
I never had two people blow dry me at the same time.
(24:41):
And then they're like, I feel like a queen.
I'm like, yeah, you should feel like a queen.
And it goes faster. People pay for for for time.
That's the only thing we can give them more time.
So yeah. That's awesome.
And see, that's what I'm telling.
It's all these things that you don't think about.
And it's, I had only seen it andit was with her.
That was the first person I eversaw it with.
(25:03):
And I always like, I mean, I, I didn't go back to assisting
because I was like, man, I've already been in the industry for
so long. Like wouldn't that be weird if I
went back to assist? But it was something that I, I
wish I would have started off mycareer assisting rather than
like going full force. I think I would have learned a
lot more. I think it's it's important.
(25:25):
And do you, do you ever get any like people who are fresh out of
school who once they get there and they start and then they're
disappointed because of what like their expectations were?
Because I feel that they, I honestly feel people are
delusional when we get out of school because we think we know
(25:47):
it all, but we don't. I think yes, yeah, it's a very
fine line. Sometimes I have seen people,
yes, they know it from the book and they're correct.
But then I say, OK in in theory that is correct what you're
(26:10):
telling me. But if you put that theory the
way it is on a person's head, it's not turning out what the
theory is telling you because the canvas is different.
You have to keep that in mind. And that is something what I
what I think the school should teach because, yes, when I mix
(26:33):
red and blue, it's purple. Yes.
But the canvas is not always just red and blue.
It's so, yeah. They come out and they say, I
know this. And then they wonder, why is it
orange? Yeah, Well, yeah, because it's
like if you go, let's say if youwant, wanted to go in into my
hair and all of a sudden I tell you, you know, I'm kind of bored
(26:54):
of the red. I want some highlights in there.
Yeah, right away. Somebody's going to want to do
what? Usually they're bleached out,
right? Yeah.
Yeah. And then, but then when it picks
up orange, they're going to wantto go in with just a straight
blue and maybe a little bit of Violet.
(27:17):
But then they're not going to think of the red pigmentation in
there. So they're going to forget the
the green and. Then they have a muddy mask.
Yep. Yeah, I have seen it.
I have seen it or yeah. Yeah, yeah, 'cause it's, it's
true. It's like, or if I you know,
it's, it's people don't think that orange is just not, you
(27:40):
know, it's not just the, the yellow and, and that's it, or
that there's always, well, we'lljust put blue in it.
Well, no, you do need some greenin there 'cause there's red.
Yeah, I, I know that's one of the, the things I feel like they
don't teach enough at school. I know one of the there was one
(28:00):
of the, the biggest things that you have always, I think one of
the things that you always kind of not get angry, but frustrated
with. So please go on.
And I know it's more of like on,on the stylist who are fresh
(28:20):
stylist who think they don't need to know something because a
client is not going to know or the client doesn't know if I
took an exam or the client, you know.
And it's more when a stylist isn't knowledgeable enough or
when a stylist feels like they know too much What?
And it's more on the shortage ofstylist.
(28:42):
I think the licensing requirements.
I saw it on your notes and maybeI'm going wrong with it.
You could go ahead and tell me if I'm going wrong with it.
I mean that clients, when they actually sit in the chair, they
deserve professionals because they're paying money and you
work on their their body. And I think the word
(29:07):
professionals, that's what the industry is about.
It's not just on paper. So you have to put education.
And that's where I get frustrated.
And that that is something what where I get frustrated is, oh,
it is just a trim. And the kitchen style kitchen
stylist, yeah, I'm going to cut your hair for 10 bucks.
(29:29):
And then they're wondering why aclient comes to a salon and
says, yeah, but I have a stylist, they cutting it for 10
bucks. Well, I'm not.
My haircut is 79. You get the whole experience.
You get my education, my knowledge, my experience, my all
of overhead, all of that stuff. So that's frustrating to me.
(29:52):
And then people wondering why the beauty industry is so under
it is that is my frustration professional.
OK. And that, yeah.
And that's what I was, because Iremember.
Like the connection? Yes, because I remember, I
remember a post that you had made and I feel, and I feel this
as well because I know that there we do have a lot of people
(30:14):
asking, oh, where can I find a stylist that does this cheap?
That gets me going. Yeah.
And it's like, OK, so do you want it cheap and bad or do you
want it cheap and good? Because you're not going to get
that. You're going to get cheap and
(30:36):
bad Probably, yeah. There isn't a cheap and and good
unless you're going to get it cheap and maybe decent because
the products are from Sally's. Yeah.
And then when it has ruined and then you go on social media and
you bash the stylist. It's not the stylist's fault.
(30:56):
No. It's really not.
No, because they're this style is probably learning too.
They probably haven't experienced a good salon or to
go and find somewhere to work at.
Yeah. And the products from Sally's
are not the. Best they're not they they
always say, but it says professional.
(31:19):
I question that. All the time.
All the time, yes. Especially like with splat, I
will not touch. Any hair what has splat on it I
will not. I did it one time.
I did it one time too. Never again.
That was it, because it doesn't come out the hair.
(31:40):
Nope, it won't stay here. You need to cut it off.
Yeah. I've had that happen before and
I was like please don't tell me you use black because if if you
did I'm not doing your hair. But if people.
Don't understand. I get it.
It stays, really. Good.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's cheap and it stays.
Unexpected to come out, yeah. That is something it's really,
(32:01):
really frustrating, yeah, when people say that.
You're like, I can't do that. No.
So you're licensed and I, I knowI asked you earlier, how many
states are you licensed in? All of the states in the United
States, I would say. For real?
(32:22):
Yeah. Because you've been to, you've
lived in. I can.
Transfer mine anywhere. No, I know you can.
You can, but you hold, do you hold the light 'cause I know you
lived in California, right? Yeah.
Did you work as a stylist there as well?
No, I did not. So which states have you worked
as a stylist? In Maryland and in Texas.
In Texas. Awesome.
(32:43):
So then business wise, have you had a business in all three
states or is this the first state that just in Texas, just
in Texas and in Germany, yes. OK, so now have running a
business in Germany and running a business in Texas.
What are the biggest differencesthat you have found as far as
(33:04):
able to run them? Was it easier to run?
And I don't, I don't think running a business is easy.
I think it's the hardest shit you've ever had to do.
But what is it easier to run a business in Germany than it is
in Texas? Or vice versa?
Or equally hard. That is a very hard question.
I would say for me personally, it was harder here only because
(33:30):
I went in blind. I went, I did not.
I learned as I go and I learned that the different laws, the
laws are so different over here.You need a paper for this and
you need a paper for that and, and, and this needs registration
and that is way easier over there.
(33:51):
If you get your license and yourinsurance, you're done.
You don't need any thousand different things.
It's way easier. Oh man, yeah, I feel like well
and even. OK.
So from here, running a businessin Texas is easier than running
a business in California that's also a a different and even
(34:15):
though it's harder here. Than I don't want it in.
Texas, Oh my gosh, no. In California you need all kinds
of permits. And then before you could even
open your salon, you need all these other things too.
Like you need, you know, there'sso many things that you need to
be able to open up here in Texas.
I remember I applied for my minisalon license and then just
(34:38):
transferred my my Cosmo license to Texas and I was able to open.
It was, but that's also in a studio that was already set up.
Yeah, when I opened up my one room studio in Chassis salon,
that was easy. I just had to have my mini salon
(34:59):
license and everything was takencare of from the, the the the
building. Yeah, that was easy.
But then when I outcrew that place and I got bigger, I was
like, Oh my God, I need. Certificate of Occupancy.
Right. Yes.
And then the fire department andthis and all of those people had
(35:20):
to come. And I'm like, what the heck?
And then I met you. Yeah.
And all my numbers. I'm like, I need to do this.
And then I need to do that. I'm like, Oh my.
God. Yeah, way too, way too much.
Now like moving on to the business part of it.
I think way. Too much what has been, I think
(35:43):
your hardest because I know whenI came in and you, you had
questions, obviously, you know, but what from I think from from
when we started to now, I've seen growth, but I've also, I've
also seen struggles. You know, it hasn't just been
all like rainbows and butterflies.
(36:04):
It's been, it's, it's been like it's been a process for sure.
It's been a process of the hiring, the finding the right
people, the getting your numbersright, the being able to, you
know, get your website to get that up and running, you know,
(36:25):
as even looking for social mediapeople.
Like there's been so many thingsthat have happened behind the
scenes that people don't get to see.
They only see happy, smiley Jenny.
They see the Jenny who is hard working.
They see the Jenny who shows up to herself.
(36:46):
You see, and but that's good. Like I feel like you are
genuinely you with your people. You, you do obviously get
frustrated like everybody else, but I feel like nobody ever gets
to see our struggles as far as like our hardships when it comes
to the business, our health, when it comes to the business,
(37:10):
our reasons why we have to take time off, our reasons why we
have to do a lot of things, you know, because we don't let
people see all of that 100% of the time.
I think our clients see it. Social media doesn't see it.
No. Our clients sit there and cry
with us. Sometimes you know we or we cry
(37:32):
with them. Yeah, business, business wise, I
try to keep it away from the clients.
Yeah, yeah, it's their time. Yes, they they, they get the
therapy. Session.
Yeah, so you cry with them. I cry with them, Yeah, yes.
But you cry with them, but they're trying to get to see.
Our private stuff at home, Yeah,yes.
And I know throughout this year,you've had quite a few.
(37:55):
You injured your. Yeah.
My foot, I had injury, yeah. Yeah, which is not good.
But even during those times, your team held it together.
Amazing. Yeah, even now I'm on vacation
and Oh my God, I don't know if you saw it, but the reviews are
just coming in. And when I read the reviews it
(38:16):
gives me some goosebumps and a little bit of pee pee in my ass
because they're praising the teamwork and this is me not even
being there. So I know they're working their
ass off. Yeah, you created an amazing
team. What I'm struggling with is in
the shop finding new stylists. I need new stylists.
(38:38):
I'm growing. The people are the clientele is
growing. They love us.
I need passionate stylist and what?
Do you think you're struggling so much in that aspect?
A lot of new stylists, or stylists in general, they're
going into suites. They want to work by themselves.
(38:59):
Yeah, for some people, that's it.
It was for me for five years, a good way to make my income.
But the downside from it was it was very lonely.
It was just me and my client. I could not collaborate with
(39:20):
anybody. There was no brainstorming.
There was not gossiping. Yeah, when you wanted to.
It was just, there was not even going away and just venting.
Yeah. You were just with your client
24/7. And it was, it was pretty
lonely. Yeah.
So I I enjoy having a team. Yeah.
(39:41):
So for all those new stylist, I feel like anybody who is out
there getting ready to go and get out of school, I think if
you are looking for a job, if you're trying to, you know, to
learn more, please come see her.And I do all the work behind the
scene. She.
Really. Does She does?
(40:02):
Do all the stuff. Yeah.
One of the things that I think alot and a lot of stylists don't
understand is the Commission. I think part of it, the hourly
part of it. And a lot of stylists do get
screwed over when it comes to that.
And I'll be the one to tell you because I run payroll, that she
(40:24):
is up to date on the way that payroll should be ran.
She does, you know, pay hourly. She does Pay Commission.
She does do all the things depending on where you're at as
a stylist, whether you're starting as an associate or or
you, you know, as you move up, obviously your pay changes.
(40:44):
So obvious. Always be aware of how you're
getting paid. The pay structure in any salon
that you go to. Yeah, that's very important
because I think even you as a salon owner, this is one of the
things that I think can be hard is the the paying hourly opposed
(41:06):
to Commission or you know, vice versa.
But you know your style is worth.
Yes, and I have to say yes Ioffer hourly.
All of my stylists have hourly and Commission based contracts.
But 99.9% my my stylists get Commission their work, they get
(41:30):
Commission and and plus tip plusI also offer the four O 1 ioffer
paid time off sometimes. Yeah, it depends on how you, how
long you have been with me. I'm very flexible with work
schedule. I don't keep you there if you
(41:51):
don't have clients. I want you to enjoy your family.
Yeah, it's it's a give and take.And you are AW2 employee W2.
You're not a 1099, you're AW 2. And with when you're AW2
employee, all supplies are provided.
The only thing you have to bringis your scissors and then
(42:14):
whatever you would like to bring, yeah, color, whatever
not, but it is supplied by the employer, yes.
So, and that's one of the cool things I think that there isn't
a lot of people who do that. I, you know, I know a few of, of
salon owners who do that, but not everybody does that.
(42:35):
So be aware that for me, like the one thing that I don't think
gets offered enough is a 41K. Yeah.
And you're doing that? I'm doing that.
I also which is so awesome. Also implemented last year the
system Tippy Yeah, which allows me to give my stylist their tips
(43:00):
the same day. Yeah, they don't have to wait
until payroll comes around because I know how important it
is to have your tip. Because there's a new law.
Yeah, there's a new law. Yes.
So you go wait. It's a good thing, though.
Good thing. So for for those who actually
get tips, your tips are I think it's up to $25,000 are not,
(43:28):
they're not counted towards yourincome.
That's a good thing. Yeah, Yeah.
So you won't be taxed on up to $25,000.
I think it is, I'm not 100% sureof the number, but it's a it's a
big old chunk of of your tips that you will not be.
Oh, yeah, because you won't be taxed on them.
So I think that style is we always worry like, man, they're
(43:48):
going to, you know, I have to pay taxes on the tips.
You won't. You no longer have to on a
certain amount. And that'll be for when
everybody files taxes next year.For this year, you.
Oh yeah, I like that. So it's exciting.
What are some of the the updatesthat you have going on and for
what are some of the cool thingsyou have coming for hair Way to
(44:10):
heaven. Oh.
We have, well, our, we do alwaysteam events.
So in September we're going and doing sound baths together as a
team, specialized for team building.
Yeah. Which I think is really cool.
Yeah, every time another stylistcan pick.
(44:34):
So we do that as team and then Christmas is coming.
We do Christmas parties together.
That's awesome. Yeah.
Yeah. And I know you guys have you
guys went to like an awards thing where you was it through
the chamber? Yeah, last year.
Last year, right? Rewarded Yeah Award best
business in Hello this Yeah. And that's what I love.
(44:57):
Yeah, I love that you always do team building.
You always do. I know you guys just went to
like a business meeting, not business meeting, a business
convention, the Aspire. Yes, Aspire, I think it was.
That was cool. We try to go together.
Yeah, as a. Team and you go to the hair show
sometimes correct? Are you guys going to the one
(45:18):
coming? Up not this year no we we're
planning on eventually going on a trip flying we'll see where to
so we need to save I'm. Not I'm like, she said.
We'll see. I'm like, yes, we'll see.
It depends on the team. Yes, yes, yes.
That's awesome. So one of the cool hair shows to
go to is the Long Beach one. The one that's in, I think it's
(45:41):
January every year, the Long Beach hair show in California.
My gosh. If I yeah, if we can make that,
that would. Be Oh my God, that would be so
awesome. But yeah, tell us again where
they could find you. You guys can find us in Old Town
Helodes right behind Wine one O 1.
(46:01):
We are really tucked away in a cool Old Town feeling.
I think it's really cozy, yeah. Yeah.
And then their Instagram, our Instagram is.
Oh my God, I play. She's.
(46:21):
It's. Yeah.
The reason she blanked, though, it's because she does have quite
a few Instagrams. And the reason being is I do.
Yes, yes, she has an Instagram that is for hiring.
Yes, it's it's let me see H2H26 join.
(46:43):
I think I'm let me look. Can I?
Yes, go ahead. I have three different ones.
Join under score. So we have for the stylists join
under score age to age 26 team that is for hiring and stylist
(47:05):
updates. Then we have our regular Headway
to Heaven 26 Instagram page and then I have my personal Jenny
behind the scene Instagram page as well.
You can ask can find us on Facebook heavy to Heaven 26 and
on TikTok. We have TikTok too.
(47:25):
I'm not quite often there, but sometimes.
But I know she is trying to get into all of that.
So one of the things that you will see, it's the join under
score H2H26 team that will be stored away in beauty bounds
highlighted stories. So that way you guys know
(47:45):
exactly where to go when you hear this episode, you'll see it
on like under linked under there.
Nice. Yeah, totally.
Please, It's OK. But I do want to thank you for
being on. I've been very excited.
I've been trying to get you actually on from the beginning.
Yeah, I think from the beginningof the year I've been asking
(48:07):
her. We are.
We're busy bees. I know we've had a lot, both of
us have had a lot going on, but I am very excited to finish off
the year strong. And I say finish off because I
feel like we're already almost done with this year.
But I can't wait. What's in store for you for the
(48:28):
beginning, beginning of 2026? Because it's going to be what
they call what like a golden. They say golden birthdays, but
I'll call it a golden year because it'll be.
Golden Goose. Yes, because hair Way to Heaven
26. There's more things to come, but
I can't give it away. Oh, I'm excited for that.
Yes. So yeah, thank you so much for
(48:49):
joining us, and we will see you next time.
Thank you. Yes.
Bye. Bye.
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