Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Winters.
Hi Jessica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I originally went to college to be a forensic psychologist, and I got really bored. My grades were great. My GPA was a 4.0, but I hated the school setting and being behind a desk all day. My mom asked me why I didn’t just do hair. At that time, I was doing my own hair, and a lot of friends as well. I decided to give it a shot! I really wanted to become a color specialist and open a shop for fun fashion colors. I practiced all the time on friends and mannequins. Color theory was, and still is, my jam. In my last 3 weeks of cosmetology school, we did a “back to school” event where we gave out free haircuts to those who needed it. There were so many kids and so many really cool boys’ cuts that we learned on the spot that day. That’s when I realized that I really wanted to do men’s hair.
I reached out to a friend who had previously worked for Sport Clips, and she got me an interview. I was hired on the spot, and as soon as I got my license, I was on the floor. It was a bit of a rocky start, to say the least. I didn’t have the support I needed from my manager at the time, and I was dealing with some health issues. Eventually, I just kept working past those, and after a year, I took over that store!
I had no idea what all went into being a salon manager, and I didn’t realize the mess that I had taken over. Luckily, my Area Manager provided all the support I needed, and I was able to take a failing store and double its sales and grow the clientele within a year!
That’s when Covid started to hit. I was already running the store with me and two other stylists. It was rough already, but they had to quarantine early for their own safety. I worked none stop until my dog, of 13 years, passed away; a week later, all of Texas was shut down. I definitely got lucky because my shop was located in Collin County, which meant I was shut down for 1 month. Some of my friends had been out of work for 2 more months. My owner worked really hard to make sure that all of his employees were taken care of while we were out of work. So, I didn’t have to face some of the financial hardships that others did, and I am so grateful for that. When we did return from the shutdown, it was me and one of my employees. We were at extended hours, and our wait times were 5+ hours all day. This lasted for a couple of months, and then everything slowed down, almost to a halt. That’s when we actually started to experience some more of the financial issues at hand. When we did start getting back to normal, I was given the opportunity to take over a busier store with a full staff. That’s where I am now! I took over the Legacy, and Lebanon location in Frisco is now my store. I couldn’t ask for a better team, and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without my Area Manager and Team Leader (Owner) either. It’s exciting to see how much this store and its stylists have grown in this past year and a half.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road at all. I’ve had a lot of family emergencies, medical issues, and major lifestyle changes during this time. I couldn’t have gotten through most of this without my fiancé, family, and understanding upper management.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a hairstylist, my canvas is always changing. I mean, these guys are basically my walking billboards! I wouldn’t say I specialize in any cut specifically, but man I love me a good bald fade or a tapered neckline!! I would have to say that I’m super proud of the connections and relationships I’ve built with my clients. I think the fact that I allow my clients to be themselves is what sets me apart from others as a stylist. I think the fact that I allow my stylists to express themselves and be who they are is what sets me apart as a manager.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My favorite app would definitely have to be Cap Cut. It makes it so much easier to create content for my Instagram page. I also use a separate calendar app to help me schedule out what to post and when. Behind the Chair is also a really great blog when you just want to read or watch something relatable to being in this industry.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jessica.lynn.sportclips
Image Credits
Trenton Lancaster
Morgan Sutherland
Skylar McCabe
Sam Wyrick
Travis Jones
