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

Hi Janine, thanks for joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

In the hair industry, the word perm has a negative connotation and the majority of stylist refuse to do them. For the past 20 years, we have just had to accept that this was the best we could get. I challenged that narrative and the product itself. It took me 7 years to develop Curl Cult; a healthier, safer, more natural looking option. I noticed the concerns were consistent with every client; hey wanted a solution for flat, frizzy hair and something that air dried and avoided hot tools. This demand is so much so that our industry has just adding superfluous SKUs rather than truly listening to clients/stylists and bringing solutions. The industry is providing “solutions” and “effortless” beach waves but all of these require effort and/or are unsuccessful. On the other hand, with my approach to soft, natural perms and reimaginging how we do the service, the service outcome, and the ingredients used, we were able to create a solution for everyone. We still a huge mountain to climb to gain clients’ and stylists’ trust but I’m really excited to pave this path where we put the needs of consumers first. I love showing clients and stylists that you should lean into the texture and health of their natural hair and enhance what they already have rather than eradicate natural textures.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started doing updos in high school for dances. From there I went to beauty school and worked for a large product brand. I then opened a salon at 24 and was a contestant on a reality hair show. All these events always led me back to solve for the needs and desires of clients. I started Curl Cult to help clients solve their everyday hair struggles. We make hair easier and healthier. From cowlicks and uneven texture to manageable curls. We are Female founded, conjured in LA, and brewed in Italy. Sulfate, surfactant free and vegan. I’m proud of being a hairdresser that created my own product line and not just a line but one that is helpful and useful for stylists and clients.

Any advice for managing a team?

Lead by example. Lean into difficult conversations because friction and not shying away from it can sometimes be a catalyst for bigger and better ideas/solutions.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My partner Melissa Orr and I got introduced for a different brand/company that I had founded and after a few months we discovered that although it was a good idea, it was going to cost too much and take too long to become profitable. I learned that having a great idea is not enough. It has to be profitable and and you must posses all the skillsets required to help it grow. When I decided to shut down that company, Melissa asked me if there was anything else I was working on and I then revealed I had been secretly working on a perm for 5 years then. Being vulnerable and accepting the fact that failure is part of the process is what got me here today. Something that I genuinely believe is that the thing that sets successful business people from unsuccessful business people is the ability to bounce back from failure swiftly.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.curlcult.com, www.hairroinsalon.com
• Instagram: @janinejarman, @curlcult, @hairroinsalon