Meet Jennifer Holmes | Hairstylist & Salon Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Holmes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
While leading and mentoring each individual we hire, I get a front row seat in watching their success unfold. There aren’t enough words to explain that feeling of joy. Without all of this, our goal to build long lasting relationships with our clients, and giving them a new found level of confidence wouldn’t be possible.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Blackbird Salon was founded in 2016 with the intent to offer a more relaxed and intimate setting, a different approach from the hustle of a much larger turn and burn salon environment. We like to say that our space is where we build long lasting relationships with our clients, while delivering your hair goals. From the time you enter our Salon our goal is for you to feel like you are visiting our home. Sit back, relax, and let us deliver the hair of your dreams.

I’ve been a licensed hair stylist now for 14 years and a salon owner for 7. I trained in Boston before moving back to Texas and immediately started my career working to build solid relationships with my clientele. I like to believe that we are not only in the Hair industry, but we are also in the Relationship industry.

Throughout my past experiences along the way, I had a lot of opportunity to fine-tune who I am behind the chair as well as a leader in the Salon environment. My experiences, mistakes, mentors, and education has given me the confidence today to be able to face the challenges that come with being a business owner and a leader. It also prepared me to take that leap in 2016 to open my first salon.

For me, being a business owner has a sense of purpose, autonomy, and yes happiness. It also includes long hours, stress, and taking on multiple roles. There have been different challenges along the way throughout my entire journey today. I vividly remember the challenges as a brand-new hair stylist fresh out of school. What in the world was I doing?! I landed an apprenticeship at my dream salon in Boston. “You know how the military will completely break you down, and build you back up”? Well, this wasn’t as intense, but an idea of how training went at this specific salon. I wanted to quit six months in. But I knew there was an end goal. Today I am forever grateful for everything Bliss Salon taught me. I still keep in touch with them today. We are in an industry of vanity. We are on a personal level that most doctors and therapists sometimes aren’t even on. So as a business owner and a mentor we take pride in building a professional, solid relationship with each and every client that sits in our chair. Our goal is to make sure you feel good. because when you feel good, you do good!

My roles shifted when I decided to hire and expand. This is where I faced new challenges. Challanges aren’t always negative. In the moment they are hard, but we learn from them, and this allows us to be better. I remember someone saying, “being a business owner is like being a UFC fighter. You are going to have to take some blows. If it was easy everybody would do it. No fighter says, ” the opponent I’m facing is just too hard, I’m going to crawl out of this ring and ask somebody if they can come fight for me”. ‘I’m going to give up all of this money I paid for this fight and do something else.” It’s hard, but I choose my hard and I love it!

I am so excited to see what the next year has in store for Blackbird Salon. The beauty of where we are today is that I have allowed our business to organically grow. Nothing has been forced. Our goal is continuing to hand select the right fit for our team and culture. There is not rush into having to bring on anyone just because. When the time is right, My vision for that beautiful and moody salon home will come to life. And we will welcome you in with open arms!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Texas has so many incredible and unique places to visit. When you have a young family and a business you tend to fall behind on all the amazing things that you could do in Houston with your circle of friends. I could literally go chill anywhere in Houston that has live music. The RUSTIC is one of my favorite places to chill, kick back, and listen to Chris Lively.

I worked in Houston in my early twenties, so I love the Heights, the upper Kirby area and all the cool outdoor local bars and hot spots they have to offer. Nature is my best friend, it’s so good for the soul and I wish I had more time to enjoy it. If I had the perfect itinerary for a week-long trip, I would start out with booking a night at the Marriot Marquis, dinner at The Grove followed by live music at The Rustic. A Massage and Spa Day sounds dreamy at Bare Necessities. A stroll through an interior art museum would be cool, but I have failed to find one in Houston. I would visit Carrabba’s Italian Grill for lunch where I worked with Johnny Carrabba in my early twenties. Another amazing experience to add to my resume of entrepreneurship. Johnny taught me so much leading a team to provide exceptional customer service.

I grew up going to Galveston Beach and we now rent a house every summer for the kids. I would be silly not to include a beach trip into my itinerary since this is where we spend most of our high school weekends .The Strand for some great shopping and delicious food. It never disappoints.

I would end our trip in the Woodlands with a night stay on the Waterway where we can hop around and try new restaurants and maybe catch some live music. Our last stop would be brunch in Old Town Spring at Wunsche Bros. One of my faves! Best cocktails, hospitality, live music, and a sip and shop down town!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
After High school my friends followed the traditional path: college, careers, families. I tried college, but it wasn’t a fit, so I spent my twenties hustling in corporate America, building a resume that shines even today. Yet the success felt hollow.
I chased titles, not fulfillment.

After months of soul searching while working for CBS Radio in Boston, MA. it hit me. True happiness came from making people feel confident. My (now) husband pointed out how I always loved doing hair and makeup for friends before an outing. Interior Design still appealed to me, but cosmetology sparked a deeper passion.

Touring a cosmetology school in Boston sealed the deal. I haven’t looked back. My husband’s unwavering support empowered me to explore every interest, gaining invaluable experience that a traditional path wouldn’t have offered.

Website: https://www.blackbird-salon.com/

Instagram: https://www.blackbird-salon.com/https://www.blackbird-salon.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblackbirdsalon/

Image Credits
Image credits: Kelsey Ediger: @kelseynicolephoto_