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

Kim, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

I hope my legacy will be to empower women to see the beauty they already possess and realize fitting into a specific mold/category/aesthetic is so boring. To embrace their unique beauty and not “tame” what might be deemed as “wild”.

So many women sit in my chair and pick themselves apart during a consultation and I want to see that change. I make an effort to disrupt that way of thinking when it comes to how we talk to ourselves in the mirror. Especially when it pertains to curly hair. So much trauma and expectations wrapped up in hair. I’d like to help heal that. Let’s me kinder to ourselves in our walk through life.

Kim, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been fascinated with hair since as far back as I can remember. I love how a hair style and color can bring on a whole new persona. What inspires me as an artist is making people feel happy when they look in the mirror. We all struggle with that. Every single one of us whether we choose to admit it or not.

It’s being able to navigate the tricky space between how a person perceives themselves and how they’d like the world to perceive them. The circumnavigation of a client’s wants, without them necessarily knowing the vernacular or the desired end result. It’s an intricate dance we do with clients that I’m blessed I’m still able to do and extract so much joy from after so many years.

I love simplifying my clients’ routine. My passion is demystifying curly hair care. Starting with the most important step in my opinion, which is shampooing and conditioning. It lights me up to be able to show my clients how to re-create the look at home and making it super easy for them to do so. I’m changing lives one head at a time.

Roots Radicals Salon really focuses on education, so taking our clients cues in terms of lifestyle etc and how do we simplify their hair care routine with that information.

So much of how we feel day-to-day is wrapped up in how we look. When we look better, we feel better. The beauty industry is not a shallow one. It’s a multi billion dollar industry for a reason. How we walk through the world is very important. Confidence starts from within and when it radiates out that’s True Beauty, if I can help facilitate that, then I’ve done my job.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My goal in life is to be as Uber present as possible. I thrive on connection and the only way to do that is to be super present with my clients, anyone I’m exchanging energy with. My reputation is built on making them feel seen and heard. Truly listening is a gift not that many people possess, rather a skill, I should say, that needs to be cultivated. It is a gift when someone truly listens to you.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am pivoting now. I want to broaden my reach and the way to do that is through online offers. I want to be of service to more people. I want more people to love what they see in the mirror. I want more people to be comfortable in their skin. To truly shine their light and build their confidence. It’s what lights me up and makes me feel most aligned in life.

I’ve struggled with acneic skin for most of my adult life and it took me a while to prefer my hair curly over straight. Now I have fallen head over heels with my curls. I no longer struggle with acne.

I am launching online education on simplifying skin care to hair care, to be able to reach those who don’t have access to my salons. I am simplifying and demystifying your entire beauty routine. So anyone can join the Clear Skin Club and love their curls too. The official launch of Zen and the Art of Acne will be this summer!

I also have a podcast called Zen and the Art of the Shampoo, where I interview fellow entrepreneurs, in the beauty/service/wellness industry. I talk about mindfulness, and empowering the change I want to see in the beauty industry.

I believe we are born inherently worthy and whole. It’s life that slowly or quickly, depending on your childhood, leads us to believe otherwise.

I’ve had to unlearn my limiting beliefs that kept me small. Kept me from shining my light. That kept me from thinking entrepreneurship was for me.

The greater the risk the greater the reward. We have one life. Play it safe for what?

Contact Info:

• Website: rootsradicalsnyc.com
• Instagram: Rootsradicalssalon, rootsradicalsKim, Rootsradicalssalonnorth, zenandtheartoftheshampoo
• Other: Zenandtheartoftheshampoo.com