Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenna Styles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jenna Styles, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
In 2019 I became very ill out of no where and it abruptly halted my entire life and career. Thankfully I recovered and implemented countless hours of research on healing from the inside out. My already thin short hair took a huge toll and after my body started to recover my hair did not and my confidence was shattered
Fun little fact women, did you know that approximately 40% of us will experience visible hair loss by the age of 40, and 80% of us by age 65. The causes vary, from hereditary factors to hormonal imbalances, medical illnesses, chemo, autoimmune diseases, childbirth, sudden dietary restrictions and the most recent, COVID, just to name a few.
Not loving your current hair status could also just be a result of over styling, overly processing or maybe just a haircut you now regret..
At The Hair Extension Barb, our mission is to be a source of knowledge and skill. We are not just giving women their dream hair but supporting and helping them navigate the challenges of their hair insecurities and find their path to self-confidence and healing.
I have received testimonials from women saying that their new hair helped their marriage by giving them confidence they had lacked and, therefore, ignited a new spark, if you know what I mean (wink wink). A mother struggling with insecurities now is proud to be in those pictures with her children, and a teenage girl recovering from cancer who just wanted to feel like they weren’t sick anymore now has a full head of hair that brings her back to the days before her diagnosis.
Our stylists will receive ongoing education to learn skills and techniques in their trade that they will be able to take with them wherever their paths lead. We also are creating an environment where our stylists can grow within the company. The sky is the limit and we want them to never fear that glass ceiling.
The Hair Extension Bar stands on three pillars:
1. Providing a luxury experience with quality hair extensions that is still accessible and affordable.
2. Creating stylists that are masters of their craft who can support customers on their journey to regaining confidence.
3. Cultivating a culture of support and knowledge for both stylists and consumers.
Our goal is to expand The Hair Extension Bar’s concept into new markets as a franchise. Furthering our mission we want to empower stylists across the country so they can pursue their passions while continuing to learn, this way they can offer a consistent luxury service that can transform our guests both physically and mentally.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hi my name is Jennifer Simpson but most people know me as Jenna Styles now. I am a 41-year-old San Diego almost-native. I was born in Georgetown, Texas, but my family moved here when I was 3 months old so I identify as a Cali girl, but you can catch me in my car singing to Willie Nelson or ’90s country from time to time .
My parents will tell you I’ve always been fearless when it comes to pushing boundaries. I just thought “No” meant try harder, and I sure did! Being an only child and the daughter of an engineer, creating and inventing were my best friends, along with my mom, of course.
A pivotal moment that I reflect on was the year 2000. Britney Spears’ “Oops!… I Did It Again” music video had just been released, and I was determined to recreate that iconic massive half-up ponytail for my senior prom. I would not let my thin, short hair stand in the way of the most epic prom look of the 21st century. Without the internet, it was a lot harder to find hairpieces and extension artists—forget about it. There were maybe one or two, if that, in all of San Diego but somehow we made it happen. I am still so proud when I look back at that prom picture 23 years later. This quest marked the beginning of my love affair with hair extensions.
The feeling of having your dream hair unlocks a confidence that you never knew existed. It’s a feeling that words struggle to capture.
Fast forward two decades, and I find myself on a mission to provide that very same feeling to others.
My journey has not been without its challenges. I became a mother at 19, and by the age of 22, I was a mother of two. At 27, I made the choice to leave an abusive marriage and take on being a single mom. Balancing family and work life was undeniably tough, but it was during those moments that I discovered the true meaning of perseverance and determination.
Today, I’m proud to say that I have two adult children who embody the very work ethic that I aimed to be an example of. You can’t wish for things you aren’t willing to work hard for and I’m thrilled to see it reflected in their lives. They’ve not only grown into successful individuals but also kind and compassionate humans, which will always be my greatest source of pride.
Growing into the person I am today, I’ve realized that I am not normal, as my now-husband likes to remind me. I’m not big on small talk, with multiple people over a glass of wine, but I do crave intimate business and problem-solving conversations with the latest seasonal coffee in hand. I have been told that one of my greatest traits is my tenacity and ability to overcome major obstacles in my life. These things did not wreck me; they made me. I believe there is always an answer, you just have to have the correct mindset. Don’t tell me I can’t, ‘cause I will!
I believe there is one main thing that sets entrepreneurs apart from the rest, and that is where your fear lies.
Some people fear failure, but I fear never trying at all.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In the world of entrepreneurship, the ability to pivot is often the difference between success or failure. My entrepreneurial journey began far before I had even realized it, from selling on eBay, to designing custom Swarovski crystal shoes and phone cases, and eventually creating a patented jewelry line. Fast forward to today, and I am the proud owner of 2 salons a hair extension line and The Hair Extension Bar!
I have learned that clinging to the wrong ideas can be entrepreneurial suicide. Often, the idea you’re destined to pursue comes after a series of experiments, iterations, and sometimes failures. I like to draw a parallel with the Titanic, a ship determined to stay its course despite the undeniable ice burg ahead. Had the captain redirected I believe the story of the Titanic would have a very different ending.
Throughout my journey, I’ve initiated several ventures, each with its unique challenges and triumphs. But the story I want to share today revolves around a pivotal moment that led to the creation of The Hair Extension Bar.
Before the world was hit by the unexpected challenges of COVID-19, my partner and I had spent years designing, planning, creating and working with contractors and attorneys to create a “ WeWork” like concept salon and ”Open Table” like app for the beauty industry. On top of investing so much of our own money and time we finally scouted out our dream location and after almost a year of negotiating we secured the rights to lease it. On the day we were signing our lease, our main investor withdrew due to financial constraints caused by the COVID-19 crisis, leaving us in a state of shock, uncertainty and quite honestly completely devastated.
Two years of unpaid hard work on top of our normal jobs our dream suddenly shattered with one single phone call. It was a moment that made me question everything. At that point we felt we had no choice but to walk away from the dream we had so relentlessly been building for years.
Months later, after we had licked our wounds, I stumbled upon an empty shop. It had previously housed a blow-dry salon, and suddenly, inspiration struck. Why not create a salon concept that focused on hair extensions, a passion I had already been investing in and stayed passionate about for decades. There was a whole in the market where this concept did not exist and I knew I was the just the person to bring it to life!
Listening to my instincts and God given intuition, I realized that this idea made perfect sense. I felt fearless about this new venture, as if it was my destiny. Sometimes, in entrepreneurship, you just know when the idea is right. Growing a business is hard ,no doubt, but like puzzles when the pieces fit it assures you you’re on the right path.
In June of 2021 we signed our lease for the exact location we were forced to walk away from a few months prior. We officially opened our doors and took our first client Sept 22, 2022. We started with a soft launch as this concept was new and we wanted to be sure we worked out any kinks before overwhelming our staff and resources. July 22, 2023 we officially had our grand opening and despite only serving those that found us completely organically over the last year our business has thrived.
My goal is to continue to grow The Hair Extension Bar with franchise opportunities and also to provide training education to stylist outside of just our employees and supply quality hair extensions to other stylist at a discounted price. We are so excited to share this venture and have already begun looking into location number two!!
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Having employees and a team that depends on you is a huge responsibility I don’t take lightly. Especially when starting a brand new business, the weight of their livelihood relies solely on you. Business can be daunting, but while you are building, it’s essential not to lose sight of the mission, and your employees should be the first focus on your path to a successful strategy. I think it’s important to have two mission statements, one for your consumer and one for your employees. Inspiring your team to believe in your mission is invaluable.
Reflecting on my journey I’ve learned several important lessons about managing a team. My biggest piece of advice is to have hands-on experience in every aspect of your business. Understanding the uniqueness of each role enables you to empathize with your team and appreciate the knowledge required to excel in each of their roles.
In my own businesses I have taken on such roles as stylist, manager, accountant, marketing, advertising, photographer, videographer, bookkeeper, receptionist, cleaner, assistant, handyman, designer and so much more. Each time I stepped into one of these positions it has provided me with a deeper understanding, appreciation and respect for the challenges faced by my team members. I only now comprehend why managers restricted certain shift changes, why owners set particular pay strategies in place and the total weight of ownership.
Especially in the beginning stages of building your business, it’s crucial to be willing to roll up your sleeves and take on tasks you assign to your employees. If you ask them to clean up late, be prepared to do the same when you can. This fosters mutual respect and shows that you understand the sacrifices they are making. You have to keep in mind that, at the end of the day, this is your business, and it is no one else’s sole responsibility to make it succeed but your own. If something is wrong internally, it starts with you! Your team cannot succeed if you have not set them up for it.
Remember to start with a clear understanding of your company’s mission (the “why”), set expectations, and establish boundaries. Happy employees lead to satisfied customers. A grateful and empowered team is the cornerstone of a successful business. Continue to learn how differently people work, and don’t forget to give words of affirmation along with the actions of appreciation to back it up.
You have to make sure your employees know the value of your trust and respect in them so that they will treat your business as their own in your absence. Be sure to check yourself and not be too proud to accept different perspectives and implement new ideas even if they were not your own.
Lastly, surround yourself with a trusted inner circle who can offer honest and constructive feedback to help keep you grounded.
Strive to perfect your business from the inside out, starting with your employees, as they are the driving force.
Contact Info:
- Website: Thehairextensionbar.com and Jennastyles.com
- Instagram: @Jennastylesofficial and @the.hairextensionbar
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-styles-0426bb28b
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Jennastyles?si=xRTSiAfTMdElEUJ6
Image Credits
@hannahsessionsphotography