Jessie Lee Montague | Intro to the Hair Salon

(Published: _)

Edition Fifty-One- Week Fifty-One:

Written by: Mercedes Barreto // Photography by: J.L.M./ Joe Mack’s Event Photography

Why did you decide to open a hair salon initially?

“I didn’t plan on opening my own salon, I was working in another salon, Le Shag, across the river in Kingston, and then COVID-19 hit. My school-age kids were home literally overnight and I had to pivot quickly. I had an extra space in the back of my house here in Rhinebeck, and I saw it as really the only path for me at the time– to set up my own hair studio. I officially opened my doors when we could legally do hair again on June 9, 2020, and I’ve been trucking along as HAIRSTORY ever since.”

What inspiration or incentive brought you into the salon business?

“I had a career as a yoga teacher and yoga studio owner. My business partner and I needed to part ways, and I decided to sell her my business shares and attend cosmetology school. It was a HUGE leap of faith. I had thought about doing hair many years before but chose the yoga path instead, but sometimes your fate waits for you. It’s an incredibly challenging AND rewarding career, and I have no regrets.”

Who are the people who have supported you from the bottom up? Why and how so?

“My father has been my steadfast believer and has always supported my efforts from day one. I couldn’t ask for a better dad. Also, my boyfriend has stuck by me through thick and thin. I would not have been able to transition into my home hair studio without his help and support.”

If you could talk about your struggles and achievements throughout the progress of your salon business, have you had either? Why and how so?

“Well, it’s been a winding road for sure. To learn the art and science of hair is quite an achievement in and of itself. Hair is WAY more complicated than you can ever imagine, and it’s taken me years to get good at what I do. The trial and error part is challenging because it’s on someone’s HEAD, so the stakes are very high. The business side of it has been easier because I already had skills running a small business from my work at the yoga studio. My biggest business challenge now is that I’m a home-based salon, which means no foot traffic, no walk-ins, and no sign out front. It’s all word of mouth, so my clients must look AMAZING when they walk out the door because they are my biggest asset in bringing in new people.”

Do you believe it’s a balance between luck and hard work, or do you have a different approach/belief on this topic?

“Interesting question. Success in life takes hard work and good luck. Some people say you make your luck, but I’m not sure exactly what that means. I do think some people are just luckier than others. I’m not sure where I fall on that spectrum… but the hard work part I have in spades!”

Where can we schedule an appointment, learn, or connect with your hair salon? Why should we do it today? What makes your salon the right choice?

“You can request an appointment on my website, www.hairstory61.com.

And my socials are @Hairstory61, although I’ve been so busy doing hair I’ve hardly had time to post much in the past year. I guess that’s a good problem to have!

I can confidently say Hairstory is an oasis away from the everyday salon fray; it’s an inviting and quiet space with only one client at a time. I even have an outdoor space that I put together during the pandemic, that is wonderful when the weather is just right. I’m a great listener and specialize in dry cutting, which is perfect for people with curly or wavy hair or for anyone who wants to spend less time styling their hair. I work with the hair as it lives, and as a result, people love my cuts because they grow nicely and are easy to wear without a lot of fuss. I also specialize in balayage, a perfect way to highlight hair just enough to bring out its natural beauty and luster.

I truly love my work, and I welcome new clients to come and see me in my one-of-a-kind hair studio!”