“I have always wanted to do hair since I was little. I did dance growing up, and I really enjoyed the backstage hair and makeup portion. In high school, I did the Hartford Vo-Tech program. In your junior and senior years, you get to go half day, so you can leave and do what you want to do. It is very beneficial to the kids and I highly recommend it. I loved it.
Because of the Vo-Tech program, I was able to graduate hair school a year after high school and start my career early. After I graduated high school, I had credits that transferred over, so I was able to be in the hair school portion for less time.
I love what I am doing right now. It’s been a hard line to get to where I am—from working at other salons and building myself up. You have to put the hours in, especially when you are new to the industry. So, I definitely feel lucky to be where I am now. It is a lot of work but it’s something I really enjoy. Every day varies since I am a booth renter—I own my business inside someone else’s business so I get to do different services each day and meets lots of people in the Upper Valley
Booth renting gives me the work-home-life balance that I have always craved. I am “by appointment” only and customize my schedule to work around my two young children. When I am at work I book myself solid and don’t always have time to sit down, but it is very rewarding to not miss out on school events or time with friends.
Most of my clientele is actually Dartmouth students. I have become pretty popular on social media, and they spread knowledge about me by word of mouth. I do mostly blonding, so I get a lot of color clients. My clients are great, and I love talking to them. That is my favorite part, getting to meet new people and have different conversations each day. At this point, it often feels like I am catching up with a good friend.
I have thought about potentially expanding into education, like having an apprentice or going out and teaching. I could educate others on health hair tips—what to do and what to avoid, product knowledge, or growing hair. Frizz is a big thing in our area. It would be great to just spread awareness and help others with their hair.
I just really love where I am at, and I have grown to a place I am really happy to be. In high school I never thought I’d be a business owner. I feel that by following your heart, it will never lead you wrong.”
– Jenn Palmer, Lebanon, NH
