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

Jada, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

My parents absolutely had an impact on my now career, they have always supported me in whatever I wanted to do, even if it felt new to them. When I was a kid, no matter what it was, my parents were always in the audience/on the sidelines. Soccer, dance, theater, baseball, singing, art… everything and anything I wanted to try my hand at they were there supporting me. There was a time when I was playing soccer as a kid where I took a really hard hit and didn’t want to go back after that because I was scared of getting hurt again. My parents encouraged me to go back and try even if I was scared, and I ended up playing for 5 more years after that. When I danced in high school, I always found their faces in the crowd, when it was time to push through. When we travel, they’re always planning new adventures and experiences, like 10 mile surprise hikes. This kind of encouragement filtered into my older years, when I was choosing a career. Deciding to do hair happened on a whim. I was scared, they were scared for me, it was a world new to us. My dad took me out in the yard and had me cut his hair with kitchen scissors to prove to myself that I could do it. And they were right there beside me as I completed school, took them as my first clients in a salon setting, and are rooting for me on a daily basis as I continue and grow in my career and life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have been a hairstylist for about 2 years now, which is crazy! I’m full time at Harlowe Salon in Minneapolis, doing mostly color, cuts, styling, extensions and special event hair. I work closely with my mentor Natalie, and my amazing coworkers. It’s such an inspiring space to work in and I absolutely love it. Being creative on the daily is what drives me, and connecting with people deeper than surface level is an amazing thing. The human experience is so diverse, yet universal and we all have something to learn from each other. When I’m doing color, I mostly do blondes, or people wanting to go lighter than their natural color. Lived in or natural is what I say I’m best at. Creating hair color that blends and is just timeless. The process is so intricate and each head of hair is so different. It’s a mix of art, science, and creative drive. When my clients are in my chair I do my best to execute their dream hair, along with an amazing experience. Connection, laid back, quiet luxury, and fun is what I try to provide. Heart is really at the core of what I do. I care so much about my clients, and feel so honored they chose me to do their hair in a city full of so many amazing hair stylists. The goal will always be to serve them to the best capability I can. This means lots of behind the scenes like furthering education, taking models, trying new things, and putting the consumer at the front. It is how I expanded in my career. That gritty work that no one sees at first? That’s what sets you apart.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Something I wasn’t prepared for when I started was the assumption that everyone in your life will become your client. A lot of clients will become friends/family before you friends and family will become your client. And that’s okay! Having that separation is really good for not only growth as an individual, but as a stylist. Building a clientele over 30 minutes away from my hometown is the best thing I have ever done. It has opened my eyes to a new city, new people, new experiences that were right under my nose my whole life. Along with that professional growth and relizations, comes personal growth. You will realize very fast being self employed who’s really there for you and wants you to win in life. There have been many sacrifices along with it. Early on, and even now, I’ve left behind a lot of relationships and friendships that no longer align with who I’m becoming, both professionally and personally. As hard as that has been, It has brought so many new relationships and opportunities that are so fulfilling.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I honestly had no idea what I was doing at first, I just started. It was really hard to be vulnerable and share my work with the world. It still is at times! Over time, you just get used to it, and follow the path of what people are responding to. It’s a lot of pivoting as far as trends go, and keeping up with posting, editing and content can be overwhelming. I find once you get in a groove, and put out content that’s authentic to you is how you grow and get response. I try not to focus on the likes, followers, etc. I just ask myself if it’s true to my brand and my business and if the answer is yes then it’s posted! It’s just part of my daily routine now. Getting personal, and sharing non hair related content is also huge. People want to see and know about their service providers! I’m not for everyone, but that’s the point.. You put yourself and your work out there, and like anything in life, you’ll eventually attract what’s meant for you. Growing up in the age of Instagram gave me a head start, I get a lot of compliments about what I post, and most clients have found me through Instagram, so there is a method to the madness. It’s an amazing tool! Any advice I have for someone starting out with a business on social media is to really crack down on your branding and stay consistent. You got this.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vagaro.com/harlowe?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZDVT2arTG1IwlU51TqbBV6ATRxpzzO9rz6oFJonEnV0NN0PmpRaBWn0TE_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairby.jadaheroff?igsh=bjlwN3Jodm8zZWp2&utm_source=qr
• Other: Booking link:
  https://linktr.ee/hairbyjadaheroff?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaLNeonynopvibHg7-jzYPRji67gOy_De8R7bryaQwI5F1yPapubsxnpBk_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Image Credits

Harlowe Salon

Erin Renee Photography