Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica McCroskey.
Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I have always known I had a gift to help people, and I have always loved sharing that gift. Folks think I’m doing their hair but in reality, I’m laying hands on them, pouring all my good energy into them. We are in here solving problems and feeling beautiful at the same time.
I went to beauty school in 1999 and made my way around lots of different salons until I landed myself in an Aveda salon. From then on, I became obsessed with making people’s hair as healthy as I could. I became a hair color educator with Aveda and traveled all over the southeast teaching stylist new to Aveda how to formulate color and newer techniques.
I worked at natural alternatives where besides doing hair I also trained new assistants and taught continuing education classes. In 2018, I found out I had a rare spinal condition that led to me wearing a back brace for 2 years until I finally had surgery in 2020.
I decided to come out and work for myself because I can work at my own pace, and my clients get more of my attention.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
In 2018, I found out I had a rare spinal condition that landed me in a back brace 24/7. Some days, I would wake up and couldn’t feel anything below the waist or walk. Some days, I couldn’t feel my arms. My neurosurgeons spent 2 years trying to talk me into surgery but I was so scared.
There was a 50/50 shot I would need a wheelchair full time after surgery. One morning right before my 39th birthday I woke up and was paralyzed from the waist down. I had to have the surgery whether I wanted to or not.
Luckily, it worked and I woke up able to walk. I still have pain and struggle with the condition, and it will probably get worse over time but for now, I’m walking and working.
I like working for myself because I can take time off when I am struggling with my pain and mobility without worrying ill lose my job. Now, I only work on one guest at a time and can take my time so it’s not so hard on my body and my guest gets all my attention.
I could never do that working at a big salon.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I like to call my work ” hypernatural.” It’s you, but better. I create colors that blend seamlessly and effortlessly. I often say when I run into someone, I want them to say ” wow you look great” not ” wow what did you do to your hair??”
This is not to say that I don’t occasionally create colors that aren’t natural but for me, the biggest compliment is when someone’s hair looks like they were born with it.
That’s what I’m the proudest of, when I can create what was meant for you and it looks like you were born with it (whether you were or not) I think what sets me apart from others is that what I do isn’t just about your hair. I want you to leave my salon feeling refreshed in mind, body, and spirit.
It all works together. Beauty is an inside job.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’m very fortunate to have been surrounded by amazing hairdressers that are both friends and mentors to me.
Most of my friends are also hairdressers. When I was growing up my mom’s hairdresser, Bonnie Coker was always encouraging me to follow my dreams, but my life really changes when I met my friend, sunshine carter. She cut my hair when I was in high school and encouraged me to go to beauty school.
Years later, we worked together with Aveda and also at natural alternatives. We now share a suite called sacred beauty collective and it’s so great to come to work every day with someone who inspires me and pushes me to do my best.
I wake up excited to come to work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jessicamccroskey.wixsite.com/website-1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica.mccroskey/
