Meet jane sin

We were lucky to catch up with Jane Sin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jane, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

This question really had me thinking to myself. Every hardship, shaped me into who I am today. We won’t get into all of it, but losing my dad at such a young age while seeing him fight cancer was traumatic. To this day, I get choked up and find myself crying when I dive deep into everything I went through during that time. I wasn’t able to physically see him whenever I wanted since he was battling stage 4 cancer in South Korea. It got lonely as an only child. It’s not something I open up about to just anyone. That’s when I was in cosmetology school and just kept telling myself, I need to do this for me and also make my dad proud but he passed right as I was about to graduate. I didn’t have a lot of direction or people to turn to who truly understood what I was going through.

I had to fly to Korea last minute, thinking I was about to see him one last time but he had already passed en route. It was a dark time. So dark that my memory becomes cloudy and I can’t remember everything. I just remember breaking down in the middle of the hospital funeral hall where my dad’s child hood friends and family were celebrating his life. Drowning in different emotions while having to greet unfamiliar faces.

Suffering is part of human existence but when the tough times come, how you come out of it shows your character and resilience. I had no choice but to keep moving forward for my mom and I. We had to plan a funeral and pack up their city apartment and country home all within 2 weeks. Life was heavy but moving at a rapid pace. The world doesn’t stop. I have my parents to thank for my tough skin. It’s not just about overcoming obstacles but how you improve and change through it. Going through difficult experiences builds character. You’re bruised, battered, but you keep going anyway. It’s also about training your mind and keeping your mental health in check. Speak positive about yourself and try to look at the glass half full. My mom and I had to learn how to live with each other again while grieving in our own ways. It’ll be 12 years on 8/13/2024 but it still feels too close for comfort.

Now every time I pass by terminal D at DFW airport, I find myself teary-eyed because that’s where I hugged my dad goodbye for the last time. Many years may have passed but the feeling will never go away.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a Dallas based hairstylist focusing on lived-in brunettes, blondes and cuts. After graduating from cosmetology school, I started at a salon that wasn’t the best fit for me. I was not in an apprenticeship program like I was supposed to be and was being booked, sometimes double booked, clients without any guidance. This was shortly after my dad passed so it was an incredibly difficult time for me as I’m trying to juggle all walks of life while grieving. I ended up in the ER due to my health and took a break from the salon world. While helping my mom with the family business, I finished school and became a physical therapist assistant while cutting hair on the side. Fast forward, I had the urge to get back into a salon and found my new home in the Design District and have been there ever since.

I’m so proud of myself for coming back to the hair world. It’s been a roller coaster of a journey but I truly love my clients and the craft. I’ve met so many incredible humans in my chair from all over the country. It’s wild to think they would drive or fly to come see me but it’s also about the relationship. Not every client is meant for every hairstylist and that’s okay. I hear everyone’s hardships but I also hear everyone’s happiest moments. You know that’s life. It’s raw and vulnerable and I think my clients keep coming back because it’s a safe space.

My Instagram is a mix of hair content and personal life. Clients love the hair tips and overall transparency. I’m currently finishing up my UX design boot camp as well and we’ll see where that takes me.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Be teachable. You have to remember you will always remain a student. There’s always something to learn whether it’s from someone who’s been in the salon game for 20 years or just graduating from cosmetology school.

Be a team player. It sounds cliche, but you should never be competing with others. Collaborating with each other’s gifts will take you so far in life. I love when I’m able to share my skill set with others while also gaining insight from them.

Be transparent to yourself, your clients, and your coworkers. If you mess up a client’s hair, own up to it and let them know what you can do for them. We’re all human. Nobody is perfect and mistakes happen. Hair is also unpredictable. Clients will appreciate it 1000% more and that builds trust.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

My mental health. I tend to self-isolate when I’m overwhelmed or going through it. I think that’s healthy but in moderation. I overthink and overanalyze everything because of past traumas and dealing with anxiety. I’m slowly learning to embrace the uncertainty. We’re entitled to a perfect life on social media but everyone’s struggling. With my careers, social media presence is needed which has its highs and lows. I feel like I wear many hats but just as a hairstylist alone, people don’t realize the mental and physical capacity it takes day to day.

My mental state has grown for the better. To be vulnerable in this interview and share my story alone speaks volumes, at least for me. I’ve always hated attention. I have pulled myself out of some incredibly dark times. Moments where I thought it’d be easier if I wasn’t here. I fought hard to be where I am today.

Your mindset really is everything. When I feel depression kicking in, I focus on my physical health or go outside and let my body soak up the sun. Vitamin D is essential to your mental and physical wellbeing. You need to create a good environment for yourself. The people you’re around matter too so find your people who respect and value you. Presence doesn’t have a price. Time is a gift and I’m picky with who receives it. Especially now, with how busy I am. I truly cherish anyone who makes time for me because we really don’t get that time back. If I didn’t work on my mental health, I wouldn’t be able to change my perspective on life.

I’ve created boundaries that protect my energy and well-being.

The bad days are ugly but you know what I’m here. I’ve been learning to discipline my thoughts and to stay grounded. I’ve learned to not care what others think and to prioritize myself. At the end of the day, you have to have your own back. I’ve been practicing the “let them” theory. Open every door that you can and the doors that close, let them, and walk through every door that remains open. As I continue to work on my mental health, my growth will have me outgrow things and people. What’s supposed to remain, will stay in your life. Practice gratitude, meditate, and pray.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @byjanesin
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janesin

Image Credits

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