Meet Jesse Koenig

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jesse Koenig a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jesse , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

That’s an easy one! My work ethic comes straight from my mom. She’s a 36-year veteran hairdresser, salon owner, and mother of eight. As the oldest, I practically grew up in the salon. By the time I was 12, I was there every day after school—shampooing, sweeping, managing the front desk, booking appointments, you name it. I started at the very bottom of the industry, and I saw firsthand how it supported our family. I witnessed my mom sacrifice so much to provide for us, but I also saw the joy she got from pouring her heart into something she truly loved. Watching her work so hard and seeing it pay off at such a young age taught me the value of passion and dedication. When you’re doing something you love, it’s not just work—it feels like you’re changing the world.

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?

This year marks my 24th in the beauty industry, a journey that has led me to wear many hats and experience every level of the field—from receptionist to salon owner.

After earning my cosmetology license right out of high school, I quickly pursued my Educator’s License, realizing the power of continued education and the transformation that lifelong learning brings. I’ve never stopped learning, and I’m passionate about sharing that knowledge with others.

In 2009, I took my first teaching position at the Academy of Beauty, and by 2010, I was teaching for Scruples. Teaching sparked something in me I didn’t know existed—despite being shy and terrified of public speaking, I found that education unlocked a new, fearless side of me. By the end of my time with Scruples, I was teaching on a national stage and traveling the country to inspire and connect with fellow stylists.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most talented hairdressers in the industry. But what I’ve learned is that expertise doesn’t always equate to recognition. There are countless unsung heroes in this industry—hidden gems with immense knowledge and skills, who simply haven’t had the chance to share their wisdom with the world.

In September 2023, I had the honor of joining The Lab Shows’ hair team at New York Fashion Week, marking a new chapter in my career. After wrapping up my first NYFW, I was entrusted with leading my own team for February 2024, which was a transformative experience.

Leading my own team at Fashion Week has been a life-changing opportunity—not just for me, but for those on my team as well. Watching the stylists grow and thrive brings me immense joy. The collaboration, the shared passion, and the sense of family we build together are truly special. In a time when so many stylists work solo, I’m proud to provide a supportive, collaborative environment that fosters growth. Our teams span 18 U.S. states and multiple countries, and we’re excited to continue expanding.

None of this would be possible without the incredible people I work with. In my first two seasons, I had the privilege of teaming up with Alicia Scalera, a talented hair designer and salon owner from St. Louis, Missouri. Together, we took on NYFW and Paris Fashion Week like a dream team. Currently, I’m running three teams—NYFW, Paris Fashion Week, and Milan Fashion Week in September 2025—alongside Tara Plummer, an amazing hair designer from Enid, Oklahoma. Managing three teams of 24 stylists is no small feat, but Tara’s dedication and tenacity make it possible.

And then there’s Kat McCoy, our photographer. Without her, none of this would be possible. Her talent for capturing moments that will last a lifetime is unparalleled. As a former hairstylist herself, she intuitively understands the moments we need to preserve, and her vision behind the lens has made us—and our work—stand out. Thanks to Kat, we never go unnoticed.

This journey has been an incredible team effort, and I’m beyond grateful for the amazing people I have the privilege of working with every day.

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

Dedication to my craft, coupled with a relentless drive and creativity, has been instrumental in my growth and success. If I could offer advice to someone just starting out, it would be this: nothing worth achieving comes easily. You can’t afford to quit. When the going gets tough, refocus, and don’t be afraid to pivot. Our industry is vast with opportunities—sometimes, shifting perspective or stepping into a different role can provide the insight you need. As for creativity, I always say: let the unknown inspire you. Don’t cling too tightly to plans—some of the best work emerges in the moment. If things shift or change direction, embrace it. You never know where it will take you, but with resilience, you’ll end up at the top.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m currently recruiting for Milano Fashion Week in September 2025—a huge opportunity that demands dedication and skill. However, as an educator, I’m confident in my ability to help bring someone up to speed. Our team isn’t made up solely of veteran hairdressers; we have some talented newcomers as well. What matters most to me is being a team player and having a genuine willingness to learn and grow. While experience is valuable, a positive attitude and openness to development can make all the difference.

Our seasoned stylists are both vibrant and humble, always learning from even our newest team members. Similarly, our junior stylists are gaining invaluable knowledge early in their careers. It’s all about sharing, growing, and succeeding together.

If you’re interested in joining the @jessekoenighair_team, feel free to reach out to us via our team’s Instagram. We’re actively recruiting right now and would love to connect with you for an interview!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jessekoenighair
• Other: Team: @jessekoenighair_team

  Lead: @jessekoenighair

  Lead Assistant: @taralplummerstyles

  Photographer: @kathausphotography

Image Credits

@kathausphotography