Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Mallon.
Hi Janet, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I sort of fell into my career. I when I started doing hair it absolutely did not come naturally. I got into the beauty profession because I liked helping people find their own beauty through the confidence, they found in not only looking but feeling good. My technical skills took years of trial and mostly error to be refined. I worked under two very talented colorists in Baltimore for several years where I developed a solid foundation in color and something clicked for me. Once I learned what I could do, all I thought about was learning how to do what I could not do. I traveled the country taking as many classes as I could afford. Every night, and day off I was watching videos, practicing on models until I found my thing, corrective coloring.
Seven years into my career, I decided to take a leap of faith to go out on my own. It was simultaneously the most terrifying and rewarding thing I’ve ever done for myself. Having autonomy of my own schedule gave me the chance to devote my time to projects that aligned with my purpose. There is a devious side to the beauty industry, where things can be “gatekeep-y” and oppressive. However, there is a really wonderful, supportive, and uplifting community that is changing how our industry operates. Offering education on how I operate as a colorist and a business owner so others can make a better life for themselves is where my heart lies.
I now share a larger space with another colorist, where I work behind the chair on real clients and train our assistants to be better colorists/business people than myself.
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?
Absolutely not! It has been the bumpiest ride. You need thick skin to make it in this industry. Like any other thing, at first, you are not that great and unfortunately, the only way to become great is to make mistakes. Those mistakes are on someone’s head and it is not comfortable or fun when that happens. It’s how you learn. You have to sacrifice a lot of your own time for years, and most of that time you’re not making any money. It’s difficult but you’re investing in yourself. There is a lot of mistreatments, exploitation, harm that can happen in salon culture. It’s easy for someone’s spirit or enthusiasm to be broken when part of the learning process is constructive criticism. At the end of the day, hair coloring is an artistic interpretation of what one person wants being executed by someone else, and if expectations aren’t met it can be disappointing and frustrating.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a creative and corrective colorist. If someone has a wild idea or a really difficult problem that needs to be fixed that’s what I specialize in. I like really challenging projects, so things that are really tedious and time-consuming are my favorite.
I am really proud of the community of fellow stylists that I’ve grown with. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and form relationships with some of the most amazingly talented humans with the most beautiful souls. Seeing how well everyone has supported and uplifted each other especially these past two years really does it for me. I’m the proudest when mine is shining.
I am very analytical; I really take my time to make sure things are done properly and the hair is not compromised. I have a pretty deep consultation process, and instead of saying a flat no, it’s important for me to explain why. As well as offer suggestions that would work.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Dedication. I really feel like you have to be committed to being successful. Frequently people comment on how fun doing hair must be, and it is… most of the time. You just have to be dedicated to spending the time cultivating your craft. I personally feel like out of the ten years I’ve been licensed I’ve been successful maybe the last three.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.janetmallonhair.com
- Instagram: janetmallon
