Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Rosenblum.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jamie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story began when I was in high school working at my neighborhood salon as a part-time receptionist. What I thought was only going to be a summer job, turned into a job I held onto throughout the remainder of high school… (which I had two years left to go)! This was my first “real job”, where I learned more responsibility then I thought possible in the time given before I went off to college. The salon was an environment that was full of excitement and creativity. I actually looked forward to work and enjoyed watching the stylists do their thing. I left each day inspired. I didn’t really know at the time that this was going to be my trade one day. I went off to college upon graduating high school just like most 18-year-olds… with a world ahead of me but unsure what direction I was going to be headed first. Fast forward four years later, I ended up graduating with a bachelors degree in Sociology. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with the degree I had just received, I felt at that time pretty lost, working different types of jobs to see if anything would stick. About six months after graduating college, and not finding a job that suited me, I thought back on how much I loved working in the salon job and decided at that time to enroll in beauty school.
The day I began beauty school, I started working in the same salon again, but this time as an assistant. I would go to school during the day and work in the salon by night. I would then learn hands-on valuable skills that would stay with me even till the present day. I considered myself lucky to be able to have such resources at my disposal as a student, soaking up all the knowledge I could. The salon I had worked at since I was 16 years old, would be my home for the next 11 or so years. In that time, I flourished as an Aveda trained stylist. I worked my way up within the salon, from assisting to becoming a senior stylist. I learned so much during this time, not only professionally, but personally. After being with AVEDA for all those years, I felt the desire to branch off on my own and see what I really was capable of by being my own boss. I felt as though I had put in the time, and wouldn’t truly be satisfied unless I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something new and challenging. I thought about the decision for a while, it wasn’t something I did hastily. I researched the products I wanted to work with that aligned with my lifestyle. One thing I knew for sure, was that I did not want to sacrifice the quality of products I would offer my clients. If I could not stand behind what I was using on my clients, I would not be able to work with it in a salon. So, I began my search for an all organic beauty line, that could offer my clients what they were used to if not more. I found Organic Way in my search and the rest is history. I now know I can confidently provide a holistic experience to my clients without sacrificing the integrity of their hair. I opened my salon suite almost two years ago in Hollywood, Florida. Sassafras is the name I chose, which is the name of a native Florida tree that offers medicinal properties. Since my salon is 100% organic, I went with an earthy theme for the name, and plus I think it rolls off the tongue nicely!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Is the road ever really smooth? No. I believe it is in these times when the road feels most bumpy, that you ultimately grow. You become forced to deal with situations that you think are impossible to overcome and when you get to the other side, that is when you realize your true capabilities. Opening a business is never really easy and you get hit with things you didn’t necessarily prepare for. I have learned to not panic when situations arise and remind myself “this too shall pass.” There are pros and cons to owning your own business as with anything, so I’d say the hardest part for me was learning to really get out there and market myself as I never had before. After all, nobody was going to be doing this for me anymore! I am pretty shy by nature and was never really comfortable talking about myself and having to “sell” myself. Luckily, I know there aren’t many salons surprisingly enough that offer organic products, so I stand out in a sense in that respect.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sassafras – what should we know?
Like I previously mentioned, I stand out from the hundreds of other salons because of the product line I offer. I believe people nowadays are more focused on their health and their hair routines included in that. I am a 15-year hair stylist that offers a full-service organic salon experience. I offer services for the whole family. I always did both cutting and coloring, but if I had to choose one or the other, it would have to be cutting. My favorite thing to do is take someone from drab to chic! The greatest part of my job is that I get to make people feel beautiful. No matter what is going on in this crazy world, people want to look good (especially living here in south Florida)! Looking good tends to make you feel good from within, and it’s very cool to be a part of that process in someone’s life. I absolutely love to do short hair cuts, pixies, men’s cuts, bobs, edgy anything and as far as color… making people that gorgeous south Florida blonde is something I love, along with beautiful rich red tones to warm brunettes, pretty much any look that is wearable in real life day to day, without being unrealistic or too high maintenance. I want my clients to feel as though their look is as pretty as a magazine ad, but also manageable for people who do not have the time to live in the salon every week! When someone leaves my chair, they usually comment on how their hair doesn’t feel as though it’s been compromised in any way. You really can have the best of both worlds… beautiful hair without the damaging effects of harsh synthetic chemicals!
What’s your outlook for the industry over the next 5-10 years?
The world of beauty, specifically relating to hair, will never go out of style! This is an ever-evolving industry, full of new ideas, new talents, and new education to learn almost daily! As a stylist, I know that education is key to growing and maintaining your success. People see trends in magazines, tv ads & social media every day, and it is my job to know these latest looks. It seems as though just like with fashion, we are seeing looks from the past resurface themselves and becoming popular again. Hairstyles like the mullet have come back in trend in a big way for example. So, I’d say that in the next five to ten years, we will see old looks make their way back into society but in a way that merges with the current times. Mixing vintage with new is something you see in design right now in homes, and I think the same is going to be translated into the hair world as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sassafrasorganics.com
- Phone: (954)205-0607
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Sassafrasorganics
- Facebook: Sassafras
Image Credit:
Brooke Rosenblum
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