Interview with Hairdresser, National Educator, and Author Jamie Wiley

Jamie Wiley

Hello! How are you doing? Today I want to shine the spotlight on hairdresser extraordinaire Jamie Wiley.  I found this fabulous woman via Instagram. She liked one of my photos and when I popped back to see her page, I was instantly captivated by her feed.  Now let’s find out a little more about Jamie Wiley…

Hi Jamie! Thank you so much for sharing your time with us.  I must say that I am super impressed with your work!  I scrolled through your entire Instagram feed and enjoyed every second of it.  I think once my readers see your work, they will definitely want to book a flight to Maryland to get a stunning colorful unicorn braid!

HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO BECOME A HAIRSTYLIST AND WHAT EXPERIENCES HAVE YOU HAD IN THE HAIR INDUSTRY?
            From a young age I was intrigued by hair and it came easy to me. Doing my own hair for proms and weddings. I didn’t actually consider it to be my profession until I was an adult and serving in the US Army. My mom passed away suddenly in my early 20’s and it put me in a space of reevaluating my own life. I finished my contract and began my journey in the hair industry with passion and drive. I wanted to pursue all aspects of this industry. Session styling, educator, stylist behind the chair, travel and now becoming an author.

WHEN YOU COME UP WITH A NEW CREATIVE IDEA, WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM AND WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF HAIRSTYLING?

             I draw inspiration from a lot of places but my favorite is from fellow hairdressers. In the past we would look to celebrities to create a trend or new style but now because of social media like Instagram and Pinterest the average hairdresser can create a trend! How exciting is that! I love watching other people who are just as passionate and driven as me. I draw so much inspiration from them!

            My favorite kind of hairstyling is finishing. Taking the hair from its natural dry state to something even more beautiful and interesting with a braid or twist. And really when the hair speaks to you as it molds and shapes. Not forcing it into something that it doesn’t want to do in that moment. When we don’t ‘fight’ with it something really beautiful happens.

MENTORS ARE SUCH IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO HAVE IN OUR LIVES.  CAN YOU PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORY ABOUT HOW YOU FOUND YOUR FIRST MENTOR AND WHAT QUALITIES YOU FEEL MAKE UP A GOOD MENTOR?

            My first mentor was Renee Herskovitz. I met at an advanced education program in Minneapolis we were both attending. I had paid my way to attend as the salon I was currently at didn’t fund education. She was the manager of a flag ship salon in the Mall of America. She definitely saw something in me before I saw it myself and asked if she could interview me for her salon. I agreed and actually moved salons to mentor under her. She trained with Nelson Gordon who was trained by Vidal Sassoon. She was tough and a lot of my discipline comes from my early years with her.

            A good mentor to me is someone who wants nothing more than to bring their mentee to where they are in the industry and then eventually see them go further than they themselves have come. Pushing this industry to bigger and better things all because of the greats that came before them. I only hope to turn around and share my knowledge with the next generation coming up.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT FEARS YOU HAVE OVERCOME BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR AND WHAT HAS HELPED GET YOU THROUGH THOSE FEARS?

            My fears have changed drastically through my career. At first I feared things that are small to me now (but where big at the time) like “Will I be liked” “Can I build a clientele” “Can I do this as an Army wife”. Then my fears changed when I lost one of the most important people to me, my mom. My life changed drastically and I no longer cared about innate fears. In her passing I learned perspective. So my fears have evolved, now I fear if I will leave a big enough impact on this industry/universe when I leave. I fear that the people in my classes aren’t learning. I fear stagnation. And I fear that I won’t finish all of my life’s work before my number is called. What I don’t fear anymore is failure because I know failure will actually bring me closer to my personal success through all of the learning.

WHAT BOOK DID YOU AUTHOR AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

            Before I became a hairdresser, I went to school for communications and the first goal I ever wrote down at 14 years old was to write a book someday. My life has come full circle now that I am a hairdresser and publishing my first book.

HAIR BOSS A Hairstylists Guide to Owning Their Career

Is a book that offers years of industry secrets. How to build your clientele quickly and secure the income you’ve always wanted. It is a guide into all avenues of the hair industry. Information all professionals that are killing it wish they had early on in their careers. It launches at the end of the month and you will be able to buy it via Amazon and my book site. Follow my social media for exclusive deals and giveaways! @jamiewileyhair    

AS A PUREOLOGY EDUCATOR, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT THAT ROLE? AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW HAIR PROFESSIONALS?

            My favorite part about being an educator with Pureology is traveling to all ends of the country and connecting with the hairstylist behind the chair. When I bring new information or knowledge they didn’t have before and can see their life change is hands down why I do what I do.

            And to all new professionals coming into the game. I would tell you that no matter how long you have been in you can have and be whatever you want to be. If it’s something in your heart make it a priority. Don’t wait a year, five years or twenty years to pursue it. Don’t put yourself in a cage! If you can dream it, it’s already yours!

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU?

FB: Jamie Wiley Artistry

IG: @jamiewileyhair

Youtube: Jamie Wiley Hair

www.jamiewileyhair.com