Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Marc Durante.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in France, in a small town where big dreams often felt a world away — but somehow, I always knew mine would lead me to the United States. I grew up enchanted by beauty, craftsmanship, and the quiet intimacy of transformation that happens in the salon chair. That curiosity carried me through my early years as an emerging hairstylist working in the South of France and later Paris, where I honed not only my technique, but my understanding of what it means to make someone feel seen.
Everything changed because of one person — the owner of a small salon in Antibes who believed in my potential before I even fully believed in it myself. He pushed me relentlessly, encouraged me constantly, and reminded me that talent doesn’t flourish unless you’re brave enough to place it in the world. Thanks to him, I was recruited by Jacques Dessange and offered a position in New York City. I packed my scissors, my dreams, and my terrible English — and boarded a plane to the U.S. for the very first time.
New York was electric. Demanding. It taught me so much. But Miami… Miami felt like destiny. When I eventually transferred to the Jacques Dessange salon in the Bal Harbour Shops, something clicked instantly. I felt at home in a way I never had before — the sunshine, the energy, the people, the diversity.
A few years later, I learned the salon was for sale. I had no roadmap and very little business experience, but I had a fire — and I knew that opportunities like this come once in a lifetime. I pulled together every resource I could and took a leap that would redefine my life.
Nearly twenty years later, that leap has become Red Market Miami — a luxury salon rooted in French technique, Miami spirit, and an unwavering commitment to artistry. It’s not just a business to me; it’s the embodiment of a boyhood dream and a tribute to everyone who believed in me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t been smooth. Owning a salon comes with a long list of challenges that you really only understand once you’re in it. One of the biggest has always been building the right team — finding great talent, keeping top-tier stylists, and also recognizing when someone simply isn’t the right fit. That part is never easy.
This industry is emotional. When a client isn’t happy with their results, the frustration is often directed at the salon itself rather than the individual stylist. As an owner, you feel that pressure directly, and in the early years it could be really tough to navigate. You want to protect your brand, but you also want to support your team.
Over time, with a lot of learning, refining, and making mistakes along the way, I became much better at understanding what works, how to handle situations quickly, and how to create an environment where both clients and stylists feel taken care of. I wouldn’t say I have all the answers, but I definitely move through challenges with more clarity and confidence than I did in the beginning.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Red Market Miami is a boutique salon located inside the iconic Bal Harbour Shops — a place that feels like home to me after almost two decades. I’m both the owner and a working stylist, specializing in women’s cuts using a classic French cutting technique that gives movement, shape, and longevity to the hair.
What really sets us apart, though, isn’t just the technique or the location — it’s the team. I’ve spent years building and nurturing a group of talented artists who genuinely care about their craft and about the people who sit in their chairs. We listen. We take our time. We’re not interested in rushing clients in and out; we want them to feel understood and taken care of from the moment they walk in.
We offer a full range of services — cuts, color, treatments, extensions, nails — but the heart of the brand is the experience. Our clients trust us because they know we focus on what they want: wearable hair, healthy hair, and results that make sense for their lifestyle. The fact that we’ve lasted nearly twenty years in an industry where most salons don’t make it past five is something I’m incredibly proud of. It speaks to the consistency of the work, the loyalty of our clients, and the dedication of our team.
If there’s one thing I want readers to know, it’s that Red Market Miami is a place where artistry and personal attention come together. We’re here to make people feel good about themselves — and that’s something we never take for granted.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I don’t think anyone becomes a business owner without taking risks, but for me, the biggest one was expanding into a larger space inside the Bal Harbour Shops. It was a huge leap — a bigger footprint, a much higher operating cost, and the responsibility of bringing on more talent to fill that space. It was exciting, but also pretty nerve-wracking. There’s always that moment of wondering if you’re stretching too far.
But in the end, I believe growth requires a certain amount of faith — faith in your work, your clients, your team, and in the idea that something bigger is possible if you’re willing to step into it. That expansion pushed me to elevate every part of the business. It forced me to think differently, lead differently, and trust that the foundation I’d spent years building was strong enough to support the next chapter.
I don’t necessarily see myself as a natural risk-taker, but I do believe that when something feels right — even if it scares you — you have to listen to that instinct. Every meaningful step in my career has come from choosing to trust that feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://miami.redmarketusa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redmarketmiami/
