Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jamielynn De Leon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jamielynn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

The most transformative moment in my entrepreneurial journey came in the form of a devastating crisis. In 2021, at 4:28 AM, I found myself frozen outside my newly renovated six-chair salon, unable to step forward. Just hours earlier, I had been violently attacked and robbed. Standing there in the early morning darkness, my body aching from the assault, I faced an impossible situation—my grand reopening was scheduled for later that day, but I physically and emotionally couldn’t bring myself to walk through those doors.
This attack wasn’t an isolated incident. It followed a traumatic 2020 experience where I witnessed a shooting in East Village, New York, hiding underneath a car for safety. And in 2022, I would endure yet another blow—a traumatic brain injury that further limited my ability to be physically present in my business.
In that moment outside my salon, I felt everything collapsing. The $200,000 renovation we had just completed, the team waiting for leadership, the clients expecting the same level of service—it all seemed impossible without my physical presence. I had always believed that success meant being everywhere at once, personally overseeing every detail. Now, I couldn’t even walk through my own front door.
The emotions were overwhelming—fear that everything I’d built would crumble, guilt about letting my team down, and a profound sense of vulnerability that I’d never experienced before. My salon had transformed from my creative sanctuary into what felt like a beautifully decorated prison that I couldn’t escape.
What makes this story truly crazy isn’t just the traumatic event itself—it’s what happened next. Out of sheer necessity, I was forced to completely reimagine how a salon could operate. I had to create systems that would allow my business to function without my constant physical presence. I had to trust my team in ways I never had before. I had to delegate responsibilities I always thought only I could handle.
And then something remarkable happened. Not only did my salon survive without my daily presence—it thrived. Revenue increased. Client satisfaction improved. Team morale strengthened. The very systems I created out of desperation became the foundation for a completely new business model that has since transformed hundreds of salons nationwide.
What began as the darkest moment of my entrepreneurial journey became the catalyst for my greatest innovation—a “Virtual Revolution” that changed not just my business but an entire industry approach. Today, I run multiple successful businesses while traveling internationally for Fashion Week, something that would have been impossible under my old model of constant oversight.
This experience taught me the most valuable lesson of my entrepreneurial journey: sometimes your greatest setback becomes your most powerful breakthrough. What seemed like a business-ending crisis actually forced me to build something much more powerful—a business that operates on systems rather than constant presence, creating true freedom not just for me but for hundreds of other salon owners following the same path.

Jamielynn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For folks who may not have read about me before, I’m Jamielynn De Leon, known professionally as “JJ” in the beauty industry. My journey began as a lead stylist at Fox and Jane Salon, where I was their first stylist and manager. I then moved to booth rental before taking the leap to open my own business, Rogue House Salon. What started with a $40,000 loan and my personal clientele has evolved into multiple successful businesses that are revolutionizing how the beauty industry operates.
My professional path took a defining turn in 2017 when I caught the attention of New York Fashion Week agencies. This opportunity allowed me to showcase my technical skills on a global stage, leading hair teams for prestigious designers. Being a lead artist for NYFW validated my artistic abilities and expanded my vision of what was possible in the beauty industry.
Today, I’m the founder of several interconnected businesses that form a beauty industry ecosystem:
Rogue House Salon – My flagship salon that serves as a living laboratory for innovative business systems and elevated client experiences.
Salon Receptionist – A virtual “live” receptionist service that allows salon owners to eliminate the traditional front desk while enhancing client communication and operational efficiency.
House of Annex – A runway editorial firm that brings my fashion week expertise to a broader audience, connecting stylists with high-profile opportunities.
Diary of a Salon Owner – A personalized salon framework focused on mobility, helping salon owners systematize their businesses for greater freedom.
What truly sets my work apart is that these businesses were born from necessity, not just opportunity. After surviving a series of traumatic events – witnessing a shooting in East Village where I hid under a car, being violently attacked and robbed the day before my salon’s grand reopening, and later suffering a traumatic brain injury – I was forced to create systems that would allow my businesses to thrive without my constant physical presence.
This led to the development of my signature “Ditch the Front Desk” methodology – a revolutionary approach to salon management that transforms owner-dependent businesses into self-sustaining operations through virtual support, systematic documentation, and strategic delegation. The frameworks I’ve developed – including the A.D.O. Framework™ (Automate, Delegate, Optimize), The Dream Team Framework™, and the Money Mindset Mastery Method™ – have helped hundreds of salon owners double their revenue while reclaiming their time.
What I’m most proud of is how my personal struggle transformed into a movement that’s liberating other entrepreneurs. When salon owners implement my systems, they’re not just improving their businesses – they’re reclaiming their lives. They can attend their children’s events, take vacations without constant phone interruptions, and focus on the creative aspects of their craft rather than drowning in administrative tasks.
I want potential clients to know that my approach isn’t just about business efficiency – it’s about freedom. After implementing my systems, salon owners typically recover 15-20 hours weekly, increase their profit margins by 30-40%, and experience significantly reduced stress. My methods have been featured in publications like Forbes and Business Insider, and I was recognized with a 40 Under 40 award from Entrepreneur Herald.
Most importantly, I want salon owners to understand that they don’t have to sacrifice their wellbeing for success. The traditional model of salon ownership – where the owner is chained to daily operations – is outdated. Through my systematic approach to virtual support and operational excellence, salon owners can build thriving businesses that serve their lives, rather than consuming them. True entrepreneurial freedom isn’t about doing everything yourself – it’s about creating systems that multiply your impact while liberating your time.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Looking at your response about resilience, I think it effectively communicates your core message about how your mission and determination carried you through challenges. However, we could enhance it with a bit more emotional depth and specific examples to make it more impactful for the Canvas Rebel audience. Here’s a slightly expanded version:
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My story was knowing my “why” in life drove my mission and determination. I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I went through and I knew one day that I would impact communities on another level. Hiring and outsourcing virtual assistants to transforming salons with them to building hair stylists authority. I knew there was more to life and I held tight to my “future self” rather than the “past” self that was filled with experiences that can hold me down. I believed in the dream so hard knowing that day would come.
The story of resilience came when I saw the lives of my virtual assistants changing for the better, they were able to get car loans with my name or salon owners and hairstylists who recognized my attributes and wanted to become part of that mission of impact.
What truly solidified my resilience was seeing how my vision created ripple effects beyond myself. After going through trauma and rebuilding my business systems from behind the scenes, I witnessed how this new approach wasn’t just saving my business—it was transforming lives. When one of my virtual assistants told me she could finally afford to send her children to a better school because of the stable income and growth opportunities I provided, I knew that my resilience wasn’t just about personal survival. It had become about creating sustainable impact for others.
Every time I receive a message from a salon owner who can finally attend their child’s soccer game without business interruptions, or when I see a hairstylist develop their creative potential because they’re no longer bogged down by administrative tasks, I’m reminded that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about creating something more meaningful from adversity. These moments continue to fuel my mission and validate that holding onto my future vision, even through the darkest times, was worth every struggle.

Any advice for managing a team?

I believe the key to exceptional team management isn’t found in traditional leadership tactics but in creating systems that consistently elevate both people and performance. My approach centers on five interconnected principles that have transformed not just my salon but hundreds of businesses I’ve worked with.
First, understand that culture creates community. When you anchor your team in a clear mission, vision, and values, you’re not just managing workers—you’re building a tribe with shared purpose. In our salon, we begin each week with structured team huddles where we don’t just discuss schedules and services; we spotlight specific moments where team members embodied our values. This systematic approach to culture-building creates a foundation that sustains itself, even when I’m not physically present.
Second, I’ve revolutionized team recognition through what I call the “Value Spotlight System.” This isn’t random praise—it’s a documented, consistent approach where exceptional work gets acknowledged through specific channels. My virtual team collects these stories from clients and colleagues, ensuring that recognition happens systematically rather than accidentally. When team members know their excellence will be seen and celebrated, they naturally strive for more.
Third, I implement the Integrity Barometer™ in everything we do. This revolutionary framework measures the alignment between words and actions, functioning like a trust thermometer for our organization. We don’t just talk about integrity—we track it by documenting commitments made and kept at every level. When team members experience promises consistently fulfilled—whether it’s addressing concerns, delivering growth opportunities, or maintaining standards—it creates unshakeable trust. The data is clear: in environments where the Integrity Barometer™ registers high, team morale and performance consistently exceed industry standards.
Fourth, I use the GROWTH Framework™ to ensure every team member has a personalized development roadmap. This structured approach transforms vague career aspirations into clear, measurable progression paths. We establish specific growth metrics, provide targeted training resources, and create advancement opportunities that align with individual strengths. This isn’t just about technical skills—it integrates leadership development, creative expansion, and entrepreneurial opportunities. When people see their future clearly mapped, they bring their full potential to their present role.
Finally, I’ve transformed traditional management into what I call “Systems-Based Leadership.” This means creating frameworks that empower teams to make confident decisions without constant oversight. My A.D.O. Framework™ (Automate, Delegate, Optimize) clarifies exactly which decisions team members can make independently, which require collaboration, and which need leadership approval. This balance of structure and autonomy creates both confidence and consistency.
The results speak for themselves: my salon maintains over 90% team retention in an industry averaging 40%, and our team satisfaction scores consistently exceed 95%. Most importantly, we’ve created a systematic culture where team members don’t just perform tasks—they elevate the mission and continually innovate without depending on my presence. That’s the true measure of successful team management: a thriving organization that functions at its highest level, whether you’re in the building or across the world at Fashion Week.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jamielynnjj.com
• Instagram: @jamielynnjj
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamielynndeleonoffical/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamielynnjj
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamielynnjj
• Other: www.roguehousesalon.com, www.houseofannex.com, www.salonreceptionist.com

Image Credits

professional photo credit:

Stylist: Rahel Tadesse @stylebyrahel1
Photo Credit: Trudy Giordano  @trudy.gio
Hair: Khrystyna Dyakiv @tina_hairstylist_nyc