The Alimond Show

Jenny Grafton Owner of Jenny's Hair Salon

Alimond Studio

When resilience meets beauty, it can transform a life, a career, and an entire community. That's what Jenny, a dedicated salon owner and single mother, reveals in her heartfelt story of creating a space that's as much about hair as it is about empowerment and flexibility. Her salon isn't just a place to get a cut and color; it's a thriving hub where life stories are shared, and personal bonds are formed. Over 17 years, Jenny has navigated the trials of entrepreneurship, growing from a one-woman show to a team of stylists who treat each other and their clients like family. This is a tale of business built not on transactions, but on trust and care—an ethos that's seen Jenny through the best and worst of times.

Our conversation with Jenny is as much about hair as it is about human connection. She opens up about the impact of community support, recalling times when the kindness of clients not only bolstered her spirits but also showed the strength of relationships forged in her salon chair. As she recounts tales of personal growth and adaptability, it becomes clear that her role as a hairdresser extends far beyond the salon's walls. Jenny is there for her clients through thick and thin, celebrating their joys and supporting them through sorrows, proving that a good stylist is also a steadfast confidant.

Mentorship, much like parenting, requires a nurturing spirit and a dedication to growth—qualities Jenny embodies as she guides her junior team. She finds joy in watching them flourish, even as some spread their wings to establish their own businesses. Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning within the beauty industry, staying abreast of the latest trends and techniques that help her clients feel confident and beautiful. Jenny's story is a reminder of the beauty in human connection, the power of community, and the profound impact we can make when we lift each other up through our work and our lives. Join us for an episode that celebrates the journey of a woman who sees her salon not just as a business, but as a home where everyone is welcome and every story matters.

Speaker 1:

Okay, cliff Snow's version. I worked at a salon in McLean. I was part owner with five other people. Three of them were not in the hair industry, so they didn't really understand what it took to build it. So basically I started the apprenticeship program, ordered everything, did all the work, and so basically the deal was was that I would put in like sweat equity and then when my daughter went to kindergarten, I would only work four days a week so I could do PTA stuff.

Speaker 1:

And when that actually occurred, then there was a big problem with that. They didn't want me to do it. So I basically started my own salon so that I could be home. My daughter got home from school because I was a single parent and I just wanted women to have the freedom to take off when they needed to be with their kids, you know. So that's basically how it all started and it was just me. For five years. I had an assistant here and there, but it was just me. How many years? Five, okay, because my daughter started kindergarten and then in fifth grade she that's when we moved to Perceville, and so then I had one other stylist and then another one and we just kept growing.

Speaker 2:

How did you make the decision to keep hiring and growing?

Speaker 1:

It seemed like a no-brainer because we had the space, we already had the product and it would fill in the days that I couldn't be there and it made sense to have the space full and busy all the days of the week. So the other ones just sort of it was like okay, we'll do this, okay, we'll make another room, because at that point expanding was like this room, then we take over this room. It was minimal investment as far as rent, it was like 400 extra dollars and it made sense financially. So it was really just very slow and organic.

Speaker 2:

And how many years have you? So Jada's 10 years old, or 10? Yeah, just 10. And then you move out here. How many years have you between now and then? For people that know, know that your daughter's graduating college soon, right, what's that?

Speaker 1:

like 12 years, perceville's almost 12. Okay, so that would make it 17 total, okay.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, so what are you guys at right now in terms of space and we have two spaces next door next door to each other.

Speaker 1:

We expanded last year so we actually have just had some reorganization, so we're figuring out what's going to happen with the second space.

Speaker 2:

Okay In terms of vision. I mean, how have you built Jenny's salon, because you guys are a staple in the community. How have you built that and like what's been the values that you've instilled within your team culture, clients because I'm a Jenny's salon client.

Speaker 1:

I want the clients to know that we're accessible to them at all times. So I make sure that they have their phone numbers on the cards, the individual stylist phone numbers, which no one else in the industry does. Of course, most people have their hairdressers cell phone, but we make sure that it's obvious that if you have an issue or you need an adjustment or something's not working, you can reach out to your individual stylist and get it adjusted. And when I started my salon and it was just me and I had to connect with all of my clients, you know, with my own phone number, no receptionist in the middle I really realized how much people really want that. People really want to be able to say can you make my bangs a little bit shorter? Can it be a little less this, a little more that, can I have a few more layers? I know I asked you for this, but it's not working.

Speaker 1:

That was one thing that was huge from the beginning, that people were like wait, we're putting our cell phone numbers on our cards, which it was so long ago cell phones were really not. This makes me sound like a dinosaur, but there were still yellow pages when I started the salon. So it wasn't. It was a big deal for people to have access to their clients.

Speaker 1:

Then, and mostly I just wanted the clients to feel welcome and I feel like a lot of in high end salons you make you're on the waiting list or you're made to feel like you have to take off work to get an appointment with your stylist, like it's not convenient all the time and I don't like that dynamic because it's a service industry and we're here to serve our clients and try to work with them and their schedules. And I feel like a lot of high end places they're like we're not taking clients, we're not accepting clients anymore. Like I want the clients to know that we do this for them. This business is for them and without them we're not here. So I guess making the clients feel important was another thing, like they were. They're valuable to us and we want to do our best to make sure that their time is respected and that they get there in a convenient time for them and their families.

Speaker 2:

You know what you're right. I haven't been to any other like high-end salon In the long time. But I mean, like that's true, that dynamic that a lot of high-end businesses create is the complete opposite of what you do. Yeah, they are like you're on a waiting list or we're fully booked. You can't like get to us, like, whereas you are completely opposite to the point where Layla will go and brag to her friends because they're like wait, you work with Jenny, like yourself, like Jenny actually cuts your hair and does your hair.

Speaker 2:

I love Layla and Layla is like yeah, and so even before I was like Layla. You know, jenny doesn't need to do like the trim, like you can have. You know somebody else do it.

Speaker 1:

I love her.

Speaker 2:

And she was like no, no, mom, like Jenny actually needs to be the one. And I'm like okay, that's fine, Let me see if she's available.

Speaker 1:

Well, and that's the other thing People are like you cut kids' hair, or even little kids. I love cutting little kids' hair. Like to me, that's part of like what I get out of it. You know, I love the teenagers because I have a teenage girl and whenever everyone's like, oh, you cut little girls' hair and that just makes my whole like week. Like when you have a 23-year-old and then you get like a little girl, a three-year-old with like their shoes on their wrong feet, you're like this is the best, like there's nothing like that and they say the cutest stuff and they're so excited about a lollipop. You know, those things to me like they just, they just make it all worthwhile.

Speaker 2:

And you've got this like small town mannerisms and values within your salon, like how you welcome people, how you listen to people, how, no matter who you're with, and if you've got like three or four people you know that you're working with, you're able to make each person feel heard and loved.

Speaker 1:

Well, that's, that's been a journey. But because we started organically, most of those clients I know by name because they were one of three clients in the salon when we first started, so a lot of people. I mean I saw a woman yesterday that I hadn't seen in like five years and I guess she had moved somewhere and come back and I was like Victoria and she, I mean I don't think she recognized me because I'm sure I look so much older, but she like couldn't believe that I remembered who she was. But I saw her every four weeks for like six years, you know. So it was really. You know, that's what's so great about it.

Speaker 1:

I love being in a small town. I love that you can't treat anyone just however you want to treat them, that it matters how you treat people in a small town. You know you live in that place and you get your life, you know what you need for your life, you know you're living from that place and you have to give back and you have to like honor that because it's a, it's a relationship that you have with the community, you know, and you have to. It's important, it's, it's a beautiful thing. It really isn't. I don't think I would have really, really appreciated it until COVID COVID was so humbling. How many people were so supportive and just buying things they didn't need, like, just really like. They really they had our backs big time and we, we survived because of it, and I don't think that's the case for a lot of places or communities. We were really, really. We're so blessed to have the people that we have in our corner.

Speaker 2:

Tell me a little bit about COVID. How did you guys?

Speaker 1:

Just it was really one day at a time. It was really hard for me because I hate computers and numbers and loans and I had to do all of that and it really made me like Do stuff I do not like to do and I had to. I just didn't have a choice. So it was a real learning experience for me and personally. My daughter was leaving for college and I had some issues with my significant other at the time, so emotionally it was really really hard. So to have the community really rally behind us it made it so much easier for me personally and for the business. You know it was just. It was so humbling, like it was a beautiful thing.

Speaker 1:

It's nice when, like your backs against the wall and you don't have to take on that fight by yourself, you feel like you've got well and you always like gear up, like you tense up and you're like, okay, yeah, and then you realize that people have your back and people you never expected to just send you texts of support and just it, just really it. It helps to have that kind of support and that kind of love and that's really what it is. It's love which is, I think, a beautiful thing, because when, when we have someone in our chair, we really try to make them feel loved and wanted and, you know, comfortable all the time, you know, and that's a whole thing. People want to be in a place where they feel appreciated and loved and Seen. So to get that back is really it's really was so, it was beautiful, it was really great. Once we came out of the storm, we're like, wow, that was insane. You know, it's just like a tornado. The whole thing was just a blur.

Speaker 2:

I'm gonna say People are so forgiving when they know that, like, you actually care about them, and that's one thing I try to talk to, like new business owners or business owners that have maybe trained in a different like environment, where it's a dog eats dog type of right world, and I'm like you don't understand, though, like you can do that and you're gonna win for the In a short term, right, but in the long term, no, you're not gonna win, honey I, you'll just be Trendy and then you're falling off right and that's the thing.

Speaker 1:

I think people know that we, the mantra of the business is to Participate in a small town and love its people and take care of its people. And I think you know everyone makes mistakes, everyone has a bad day, mistakes are made, but you're right, people are so forgiving when they know that your core values and that they've always been treated with respect and and if there was a time when maybe they were overlooked or they were in a hurry or, you know, maybe something wasn't done exactly the way it was discussed they are so forgiving when you, each time you see them Consistently, let them know that their time is important to you and that what they want is important to you, and you know that you've Discussed what their needs are and that you've done your best. You know exactly.

Speaker 2:

So, in terms of like looking forward, how, how do you see Jenny salon in the community?

Speaker 1:

I know I always ask you this when I'm in your chair you always do this like planning and Mission statement and I just don't do any of that.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's good to hear. Yeah, say that.

Speaker 1:

I don't, I really don't. I it seems calculated, but that we're really just flying by the seat of our pants. I think the landscape changes, the market changes, things change all the time, like my industry has changed so much since I started. So I really try to just fact size the description for how kwqtc, obf is American. Stay open to possibilities, that's my, that's my strength.

Speaker 1:

I thrive in transition, I thrive and change and I thrive in being flexible. So I feel like, if I do like a January 1st Goals outlook, I mean I think it's great to have a direction, but I feel like I've done what I wanted to do, which is weird because I'm only 45 and like what, what do I do now? But I've done what I wanted to do. I I really would be okay if we just stayed where we are. Yeah, I really would, because I've grown and grinded and Done the things and made the sacrifices and you know, when you grow you have to Forgo paying yourself. And you know I've done all that and sacrificed Simultaneously for my family and the business for so long. And now that my daughter's graduating college and the business is where it's at, you know, I just feel like it's time to just enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Speaker 1:

You live there and yeah like you live close to your salon. I live three miles from my salon and I'm always there and I love being there. It's not work to me. It I don't ever. I've never once dreaded going in there, never really now I never there's been times where I've been like I wish I could sleep another hour. I wish I could just roll over. But once I get there I'm never like I can't wait to get out of here. I got to go unless I have like an appointment.

Speaker 2:

But I guess, yeah, I'm there once I start working with my clients on there.

Speaker 1:

But yeah, sometimes in the mornings I have come in like, oh I wish, I wish I can have one more cup of coffee, the dog so comfortable, you know. Or if I family in town, I'm like I wish I could stay for another half hour. You know, yeah, stuff like that, but I've never been like I don't want to go to work every day. I get to see different people. They want to do different things and, you know, it's beautiful when you go in there and everything's happy. But it's also beautiful when you go in there and someone's in crisis and you've been there before, or someone's you know brother or sister has passed away or something has happened, and you get to be there for those people that have been there for you.

Speaker 1:

You know, and especially with your own personal experiences, I know that you've experienced loss, but some of the most profound relationships I've had with my clients are, you know, talking about those things and how, when you lose someone really close to you, it changes you who you are and how you look at the whole landscape of your life and what's important to you. And those Connections and those conversations have been some of the most beautiful Experiences that I've had, when you can be there for someone. I mean, no one expects their hairdresser to be there for them, but that's. We just have a different relationship with our clients. It's just it's closer, it's just not all business all the time. It's how are you? How are you holding up?

Speaker 2:

You know, yeah, some people want to talk about it, some people don't it's interesting you say that because, yeah, like when I experienced it, I didn't want to talk to anybody about it. I know what, like anyone to even know, like I didn't want to be to ask me because, like you, just you're just holding on by a thread.

Speaker 1:

You're like I hope no one asked me home. No one asked me. Because you're like okay, today, I'm okay. You know, today I'm alright, you know, and I, you know, when I lost my dad I would be. A song would come on and I would just have to go and like, cry somewhere. Yeah, I just have to use the restroom, I'll be right back and you know, I think Everyone can relate to that, you know, and so it's such a, it's such a fun place and it's happy and most of the time.

Speaker 1:

But Some of the best times are when you can say I know this is hard right now, but if you learn from this experience, like with my, when my dad passed, for instance, he, he always was the first one to say, yes, all the family will be there, we're coming. And I never did. I was like I can't. I got to work, I got a single mom. I can't, I can't, I can't. And after he passed away, I, I go to everything now and that has Enriched my life in ways that I can't even. I can't even begin to tell you. It would take me a hundred years. It's changed my life and what's important to me and what I make time for, and you know, if you take that experience and I have it change how you live your life and let it change you and let it show you things. It's just those things are what binds us all together. You know human experience and I just try to be positive and-.

Speaker 2:

You are so positive.

Speaker 1:

Love my clients the way they love me. I mean even them booking appointments and showing up. You know I'm so grateful for that. Not a lot of people have that. I'm on forums on Facebook where there's salon owners saying we can't fill our books, we're so slow right now and that's not the case for us and it's a blessing.

Speaker 2:

Even when you're probably full, you still figure out how to get somebody in.

Speaker 1:

Well, actually yesterday, someone, something's going on with our booking system and because there's been several people who have come in and said I had an appointment and it canceled, and it's happened like six or seven. It's like some. I hate technology, it's like so bad and I don't get it, you know. So I'm like it's so frustrating, but somebody came in yesterday and I made it work and I was so busy but you were like growing a third arm.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I was like it's gonna be just a minute, you know, but it worked out. It always does. That's the thing. The younger stylist, the juniors, they always are like and I'm like it's gonna be okay, it's fine, just communicate. People understand, they know that we're working through a problem.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

And I think even just the life experiences as a junior or anything.

Speaker 1:

Totally. I have so much respect for this generation and all the things that they face that we did not face.

Speaker 2:

You know what, though, I feel like there is definitely a difference in the generations Cause just like looking at my daughter of the communication, I'm like talk to people Like she's been through a lot, just through school, through COVID, or looking at what happens like how the world has shifted, technology has shifted, communication is through here now. That is one thing that I wish, talking about communication, that the younger generation could look somebody in the eyeballs and say anything.

Speaker 1:

I have girls that work for me that like don't order, like they won't go through the drive-thru in order.

Speaker 1:

They'll do like the mobile app and take it Like they are uncomfortable ordering in the drive-thru, like talking to a person, like with the menu. It's not even a person, I mean it is, but they're not right in front of you. I have girls that have anxiety and they have to like go outside for like 10 minutes and it's definitely has to do with you know, technology and all of that, but I think there's so much they have so many gifts that we don't have. They were raised with way, much, way, much, way less racism and sexism and ageism than we were. My daughter is totally colorblind, genderblind and just naturally, you know, she just sees people as people, which my parents are fabulous people, but they were raised with parents that saw people as this race, this religion. You know, thank God I don't see people that way either, but she's just so loving and so empathetic and just to anyone, you know, and I don't feel like that's our generation. I feel like we learned to care, you know, to not pass on things our parents experienced, but they're just-.

Speaker 2:

I think it's also where you're from.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Like down south versus-.

Speaker 1:

Right.

Speaker 2:

Midwest versus up north.

Speaker 1:

And they're so good at technology. I know Like I'll call my daughter and be like how do I get this to stop doing this? And she's like, oh, just pull this down. And I'm like, oh, my God, I can't believe it does this. You know, yeah, go ahead. No, she just, they just are like oh, and you're like-.

Speaker 2:

What.

Speaker 1:

You thought it was going to be like a two hour phone for Apple TV or whatever, and this morning my 12 year old is running out the door.

Speaker 2:

I'm posting something on social media. I'm recording a piece of a YouTube video because I was like, oh, this is good, I got to like share it. And so I pull down on it, screen record. And I pushed the turn microphone on and he's over here trying to finish up his breakfast for me when I was out the door. I'm like quiet, be quiet, because I don't want to catch the sounds of like hitting something or like hitting something. And then afterwards I'm like okay, you can talk. Now he's like why'd you tell me to be quiet? I was like because I was screen recording. And he's like it doesn't record what you say, it just records from the phone. I'm like, no, no, no, it records what you say. And he's like then turn off the microphone. And I'm like, oh, you have to turn on the microphone to get the audio. And he was like no, mom, test it. And then he's like running out the door. I'm like, no, I'm right. I'm like, oh, crap.

Speaker 1:

I know, they know everything. I mean I can't. Last week, my dog, I have a puppy and he ate my Apple TV remote. And Jada was just like, oh, here do you just do this and you can do it from your phone. And I was like this whole time I could use my phone as this remote. And I was like how do I? Which is it? I tore my house apart Cause you know, the Apple TV remote is this big, yes, and like it's like thin, like a credit card. It was in my yard under all that snow.

Speaker 2:

Oh my gosh.

Speaker 1:

So it's toast Now. You don't even need it. Yeah, yeah, I don't it's just one of those Things. So I wish, I wish I understood it like they do. Cause you feel you could not feel any stupider when they're like oh, and you're like Okay, I used to pride myself on being, like, very technology savvy. Yeah, I'm like mom or you are way more technology.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, sweetheart, no, seriously. And then I see my mom do stuff on her phone and she's worse than me. I'm like, oh, she just doesn't understand it. And then then, two days later, I have the same same situation where I look like a total idiot in terms of Just you personally.

Speaker 2:

I know you said that you just want to live your best life. Yes, what does that look like for you?

Speaker 1:

Um, I don't know, I really don't know. I have a lake house and I have been able to spend some time there. I would like to spend more time there, just because it's just so we it's recharge, it recharges my batteries and it's just nice to. I love the water, I love to be in the water, beyond the water, beating or the water, and not really like Beaches, like I'm a league person. So I Would love to spend time, more time, with my daughter. She's gonna start grad school, so I don't even know where she's gonna be, but I'd like to be flexible enough to have time with her and spend time with my mom, because she lives a block away from me with her chickens and she, um, you know, I don't. I see her almost every day, but you know I'd like to do more fun stuff with her. Right now I'm building the junior team, so I'm there on the weekends just in case there's any situations that they can't navigate.

Speaker 2:

So you know, once that's done, why do you choose to build this junior team?

Speaker 1:

by the way, because the landscape of Percival has changed. A lot of people during COVID left and a lot of new families moved in with little tiny kids from Eastern places Darlang, ashburn, reston and they just expect a different Business. They expect things to be more affordable and have more availability. You know, a lot of our stylists have 20 plus years experience. With that comes being booked out weeks and higher prices. So Some people really want that and they crave that and some people do not care. They want, you know, just to get their daughter's haircut and put some tinsel in and so and I love the energy of the juniors like I think it's because I have a daughter of similar age but they're just so enthusiastic and so grateful and so excited and just like I love the giggling and the energy and the positivity and the vibe, if you will like I just I just love their little faces and their little outfits and I just I love them like they're my own kids.

Speaker 1:

Honestly, I do. I just I watch them struggle with things and Conquer things and it's just it's like parenting, honestly. It really, it really is. It's so. It's so challenging, like parenting, but it's so rewarding, like and I was an apprentice, so for me I feel like this industry is not gonna survive without people mentoring people, and I really Really cherish that relationship. Some of the best Relationships I've had with co-workers have been apprentices that I've mentored or mentors that have, you know, mentored me, and so, and I feel like that's the backbone of this, of this industry and really a lot of industries, yeah, and I think it's so like keep the information, don't, you know, don't share, don't, don't give any you know insight, and I don't believe in that. I believe that you can show people the way and, you know, some people won't be loyal to you and some people will Take it for granted, but some people will really appreciate it.

Speaker 2:

Do a lot of people leave like after you?

Speaker 1:

Well, it's kind of a natural progression. So you like it is normal. It's normal. I've helped two or three people who've worked for me. You know help build on, open their own places and you know that's natural to want to grow and I Think if it's done just speaking from my own experience is if it's done in the right way, right Like yes, absolutely Do you feel like this is a product, like this is a relationship or product. Well, it is a celebration. It's like when your kids graduate from high school.

Speaker 2:

You know You're like hard work that, you guys, and you're like we did it.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, you know you feel like you're in this position and you can move on and I'm proud of that. Like that's amazing and it's it's natural for people to want to move on and grow. Some people don't want to deal with it, some people just want to work for someone, and that's fine. Yeah, but you know some people move on and that's hard and, like you said, if it's done in the right way, it's it's also really rewarding. Yeah, but you know there's competition but there's enough business for everybody.

Speaker 2:

Honestly.

Speaker 1:

Western Loudoun is busting at the seams. We we have enough business to go around so I'm entering.

Speaker 2:

You guys do a lot of training there at Jenny's salon a ton you guys either we do, we have, we have.

Speaker 1:

There wasn't a lot of flying out during COVID, but it's picking back up a lot. So we've had a couple girls they just got Certified and hand-tied wefts and which is extensions? It's basically like a weave, but more technical than that. It's basically a weft of hair that they sew in. But we've had girls just now. We also got certified to do these toppers for people who are thinning up here, which is okay for men, but of course it isn't for women. So you just attach it with just like a tape in extension and it's very. You used to have to like shave your head to have a topper put on, and a woman who has 25 hairs up there does not. No, she's not getting rid of those 25 hairs, you're not shaving that I promise. So it's come a long way. So we just got certified in that also and there's obviously and a confidence that that would give to somebody who needs that.

Speaker 1:

That's another thing that's so rewarding about the beauty industry is that when people leave and they just feel so much more especially moms because they just don't get to, they just don't spend. All they do is take care of their kids, and when they get to leave and they feel great, it's just-.

Speaker 2:

Do you know how many videos I do like within 48 hours of leaving, or so on?

Speaker 1:

I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around how many videos you do.

Speaker 2:

I'm like I look good, I feel good, let's go guys.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I'm in we're doing it, yeah. So that's why I love what I do, and that's the backbone of why I love what I do. It's because people just they get in their car and they put their rear view mirror down and they're, like, you know, putting their lipstick on and you're like, yeah, you know, it's nice. It's so good to see women feel so good about themselves and I think if you ask 90% of hairdressers, that's what they'll say. It's so good to make someone feel so good about themselves, especially in this day and age when everybody's filtered and Botoxed and everyone's just so beautiful. Now, you know, you look at others around you and you're like I gotta get it together. At least I do.

Speaker 2:

Oh, you look beautiful, you always look beautiful, you look beautiful yeah you're beautiful. I have to know you, just to kind of wrap it up, what would you like for more women, girls, women, people Like? What would be your message to them?

Speaker 1:

It's gonna be okay. You know you have to choose what you let in your life and you have to choose to be happy, what everybody has problems, but if you choose to focus on the positive things in your life, you're unstoppable.

Speaker 2:

How do you choose when it's hard?

Speaker 1:

It is hard. It is hard I have when the girls come in and they're like complaining about the temperature or they're complaining about the music because they get sick of the music. I'm like you know what? Isn't it nice that the only thing you have to complain about today is this music and this temperature?

Speaker 2:

Perspective.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it is a good one. Thank you for coming. Thank you for having me.