Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacki Maher.
Jacki, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I received my cosmetology license about 7 years ago, but my story starts far before then. After I finished high school, I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life and my career. I graduated at 16 and figured I had a little extra time to figure it out. I worked at a few different retail shops and salons in Northern Virginia but nothing really stuck until I found a receptionist position at “Masters Touch Salon and Spa”. There, I found a love for the industry and found a friend and mentor that has been an inspiration since. Her name is Michelle, and she was a hairstylist/colorist and Masters Touch. I envied the stylists because they had more freedom in their schedules, managed their own clientele, and of course made more money then I did. Not too long after working at this salon, I decided to go to cosmetology school. I enrolled into the program at Graham Webb Academy. I soon realized that cosmetology school was not as easy as I expected. Long hours of studying and standing. I ended up quitting after about 250 hours out of a 1500 hour program. I decided I would apprentice at a salon to receive the rest of my hours before taking my boards. I found a great salon in McLean VA, and started my apprenticeship. I was eager to learn and jumped right in. The program was pretty much all hands on, which was great. Like school, it didn’t last long. I eventually quit and decided to pursue a different line of work. Something easier, like retail management.
For 4 years, I was a manager at Family Christian Stores. I enjoyed my time there but ultimately was not happy with staying long term. It was time to finish cosmetology school and grow up. My parents graciously offered to enroll me into Paul Mitchell Tysons Corner after a stern talk about having to finish this time. I had grown up a lot since Graham Webb, and I knew it was my time to finish. About 9 months later, I graduated! Finally! I got immediately hired on at Ulta as a Salon Manager. 3 months later, I moved to Dallas, Texas to be with my now husband. Since the move, I returned to school to get my educators license and soon after opened my very first salon in Plano, TX. It has been a long road with many obstacles, difficult people to work with, but I also had a lot of amazing people in my corner cheering for me.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My biggest struggle has been financial stability and working for other people. I always had ambition and drive, but I never had the money to start up my own business. It took several years of saving and making good financial decisions to make it happen. Even working as a Salon Manager, I still reported to the General Manager and District Salon Manager. Following rules was never an issue for me, but I wanted to make my own rules. My advice to anyone starting their journey into owning a business would be to make a plan, stay the course and enjoy the ride. Half the fun in getting to your destination, and once your there it’s time to plan the next journey.
Please tell us about The Hair Parlour.
My specialty is coloring and cutting. I do a lot of blonding in the form of highlighting, balayaging, and color correcting. Wouldn’t it be Texas without blonde hair right? I am a Nationally certified Redken haircolor specialist and use their color exclusively. My salon is comprised of 5 hairstylists (Lori, Rebekah, Briny, and Amy) and we mainly do coloring, cutting, extensions and keratin treatments. I think if you asked our clients what they love about our salon, it would be the relaxed atmosphere combined with our level of expertise and knowledge. We pride ourselves on building long-lasting relationships with our guests.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Fortunately, for the salon industry, it is heavily dominated by females. There is still inequality in opportunity and compensation in general for female leadership, and I’m hoping in time that will change. I’m blessed to be in an industry where there is strong female leadership in salons, education, social media platforms and within different brands. I think if we continue to push for equality and demand fairness, the gap will close and females will be looked at as equals.
Pricing:
- Haircut $57
- Blowdry $42
- All over color $92
- Color Retouch $77
- Partial Highlights $112
- Full Highlights $147
- Balayage $182
- Keratin Treatment $300
- Extensions by consultation only
Contact Info:
- Address: 1425 Vontress Dr. #1113
Plano, TX 75074 - Website: thpsalon.com
- Phone: 703.587.9126
- Email: thehairparlourplano@gmail.com
- Instagram: @seoulfulhair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackie.maher.7503
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