We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Thea Jensen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Thea below.

Thea, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

During the upheaval of Covid shutting down salons, I had a lot of time to think about what wasn’t working in my business. In what turned out to be a huge blessing, I was able to have the time to slow down, to see how burned out I was. Luckily, I found Destroy The Hairdresser. A business led by stylists who are revolutionizing the industry. I hired a coach and it completely blew my mind. My coaches taught me so much about having boundaries, being proactive in my business, emotional intelligence. It gave me the awareness to do things differently.

One of the biggest changes I incorporated was now charging an hourly rate and no longer accept tips. (After learning the history of the tipping industry is based in sexism and racism.) The days of having a men’s rate and a women’s rate is over. This created equality and gender neutrality in the way I structure my business model.

I have receive such positive feedback from my clients that they prefer the simplicity of hourly rates, they support the way this has empowered me to take my business seriously and be a leader in my industry. Even if that means, doing things differently then others in the hair world.

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

My name is Thea Jensen and I am from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I grew up in a pretty unique household and attribute my weirdness to that. I have been a vegetarian my whole life and I am passionate about healthy living. You will usually find me learning something new and seeing the connections between things. Some of the subjects I have studied are yoga, reiki, astrology, massage, and conscious parenting. Hanging with my 8 year old brings me so much joy and he is one of my greatest teachers. One of my bucket list goals is to travel around with him to other countries and explore the world. My pleasures in life are drinking a latte at my local coffee shops, walking the lake, enjoying a patio with friends and geeking out on a good movie or show.

When I was in kindergarten I wrote down that I wanted to be a “haircutting lady” when I grew up. So maybe I had a premonition about what I was going to do when I got older.
I had a few friends that went to The Aveda Institute and I thought that sounded like fun, and I just knew that is where I needed to go.

I offer all color services as well as astrological readings.

One of my specialties is to help clients with big changes, corrective colors and going from one type of look to another. However, I really love all kinds of color. From the most simple to the most extravagant. I think what sets me apart from many other stylists is that I include a scalp massage, warm hand towels, and a face hydrosol to each service. I also structure my pricing differently that most, by charging an hourly rate and am gender neutral and tip free.

There are so many things I am proud of, it’s really hard to pick just one. I think my commitment and willingness to try new things, to learn, to grow, resilience and being a mom. To realize the magic of life, to be in awe of the little things.

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

There have been a few times in my life where I definitely had to pivot. The one that I think has made the biggest impact is becoming a mother. When it was just me, I could work whenever I wanted to, for as long as I wanted to. Now that I am a parent, and as I age in my industry, my relationship with working has changed. I value the spaciousness of my day. It has given me more focus and motivation to keep my body healthy and manage stress so I can have more time with my kid.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

For me the best source of new clients is referrals from my existing clients. I have also found that the groups and people I surround myself with have also been huge for me. Many of my clients are from being in the yoga world. I have also found that Instagram has been successful for showcasing who I am, what I am interested in and finding people who are into similar things.

Contact Info:

• Website: theareedjensen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theareedjensen/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077123097778

Image Credits
Vanessa Meade