We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jason Leehr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jason, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
At 17, the first person to teach me rejection was my mother. Unfortunately her dedication to her religion convinced her that her son’s identity as a gay person was worthy of disownment. After being homeless and finishing beauty school I started my journey to ultimately opening my own hair salon. 13 years later another unfortunate event offered yet another opportunity for growth and perseverance, Covid 19. Taking what was the biggest risk of my life, I decided to open a hair salon during a national lockdown with no end in sight. 5 years later and “Off with Her Hair” is a unique Victorian wonderland hair salon that not only offers creative hair services but a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. Particularly for those who find themselves rejected by the outside world.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
After feeling like I had conquered all my set backs and mastered my craft, something was still missing. The salon was thriving and my personal life reached peaks I never thought possible. What was missing was the opportunity to GIVE BACK. I had the location and the passion all that was left was to organize and reach out to the community. More than ever before, Starting an LGBTQ+ & ally support group seemed like an absolute necessity. Although it is still in the early stages, I am so excited for all of the amazing opportunities to help people who may be feeling the same rejection I felt at 17. With that comes expanding and hiring a diverse and colorful team to offer people within the community opportunities to express themselves through their hair. While also having a sense of community and a safe space to express themselves. The beautiful thing about creating an inclusive and immersive salon space like Off with Her Hair, is it naturally welcomes all people to let go of their set backs and insecurities and just…be themselves!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When I found myself homeless at 17 I remember realizing that all that was left for me were choices. I could either succumb to this major set back and believe that this is what was meant for me. Or I could chase my dreams and ultimately learn how to love and accept myself for who I was. I think we all in the end want to be loved for who we are. When we realize we can offer that to ourselves, everything changes. Everything feels accessible and limitations are nonexistent. Self-love is the answer to all of life’s set backs. It’s the fire inside all of us that once ignited, you realize that anything is possible!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Right now we are looking for likeminded folks who have similar experiences to join our team. Marginalized people with the passion to help others discover themselves through the world of hair. People who want to help others find their inner “self-love” by means of affirmation through hair services. Not only are we looking to expand our team but we are also looking for anyone interested in joining our LGBTQ+ & ally support group! Anyone reading this who is looking for a salon family or just a sense of community need apply. Reach out to us via our instagram @offwithherhair_ or phone via text or call @ (732) 720-9247
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Offwithherhair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/12Ehx51GDLD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: Off with Her Hair address:
140 Monmouth St, Red Bank, New JerseySalon phone number:
(732) 720-9247
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
