Jen Atkin: "The World's Most Influential Hair Stylist"
Feb 19, 2018
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In this episode, host Hillary Kerr interviews Jen Atkin, the celebrity stylist and founder of Ouai haircare. They discuss the power of social media, Atkin's journey from salon apprentice to CEO, and the importance of mental toughness. Other topics include working smarter, utilizing social media for marketing, prioritizing personal happiness, and organization tips.
Jen Atkin's journey from salon apprentice to CEO highlights the importance of perseverance and learning from industry professionals.
Recognizing a gap in the market, Jen Atkin's creation of Main Addicts and Way Hair Care showcases the power of entrepreneurial thinking and addressing the needs of a specific community.
Deep dives
Jen Atkins' Early Days in the Hair Salon
Jen Atkins started working in a hair salon in LA after cold-calling and securing a receptionist position. She had limited financial resources but was determined to make a career in the hair industry. Starting in the salon allowed her to observe and learn from hairstylists, gaining knowledge about both the technical and business aspects of the profession.
Becoming a Stylist and Overcoming Financial Challenges
While working as a salon receptionist, Jen Atkins realized her passion for hairstyling and decided to pursue it professionally. However, she faced financial constraints that made attending beauty school unaffordable. Instead, she found a state-funded program that allowed her to gain the required apprenticeship hours in a salon to obtain her license. She juggled this with her job as a waitress.
Working with Influential Hairstylists and Going on Tour
Jen Atkins had the opportunity to work with hairstylist Andy Lecompte, who introduced her to the world of set etiquette and working on celebrities' hair. This experience paved the way for her to join Madonna's tour and style the dancers' hair. While the tour was a challenging and intense period, it prepared her for future opportunities in the fashion industry, as well as broadened her perspective of the world.
Creating Main Addicts, Way Hair Care, and Product Development Challenges
Jen Atkins recognized the lack of online platforms that celebrated and connected hairstylists, which led her to create Main Addicts, a website dedicated to hair education, inspiration, and community-building. She later launched Way Hair Care, using her industry experience and insights to create a line of products. With her entrepreneurial journey, she faced numerous challenges, including formulating the products, packaging, and marketing, but her resourcefulness and willingness to ask for guidance propelled her forward.
In our very first episode, host Hillary Kerr sits down with the one and only Jen Atkin, celebrity stylist and founder of cult haircare line Ouai. Dubbed the "most influential hairstylist in the world" by The New York Times, Atkin counts Bella Hadid, Chrissy Teigen, and Kendall Jenner as clients. Here, she gets candid about the power of social media, reflects on her journey from salon apprentice to CEO of a thriving business, and explains why mental toughness is the most underrated quality.