We recently connected with Jessica Rivera and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Being in the hair industry, i’m able to stay creative and customize any haircut/color to my clients liking. Even though it is generally the same techniques, every color or cut is different. But with that being said, i do get into ruts where i feel like i’m only doing certain things. For example, clients coming in wanting blonde highlights or long bob haircuts over and over for a period of time. That’s when i can start feeling burned out. So it is always refreshing when i get a client who breaks that streak and asks for something different like a vivid color or a complete transformation where my creativity really gets to shine. So in a sense, my clients are the ones who keep my creativity going
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 am a hairstylist and color educator at johnny rodriguez the salon legacy west. This year i will be celebrating 10 years in the industry. I do both color and cuts, but i specialize more in balyage, brunettes, highlights, womens cuts, brazillian blow outs, and special event styling. I would say the best and most special part about my work is being able to build client realationships and of course make them feel beautiful. I have clients who have been with me since the beginning, which amazes me and gives me such happiness that they’ve trusted me with their hair for so many years. We’ve gotten to grow and go through milestones together, where they are not just clients but friends. And it excites me to be able to build those relationships with all my new clients. The salon becomes a place were you can come relax, have fun, create beautiful hair, and forget about the outside world for a bit. Nothing is more rewarding then that
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe the most important quality i have is my education. The hair industry is always changing with new trends coming out constantly. So i strive to always continue learning to stay on top of it and be able to give my clients whatever their dream hair is. Communication and listening are also important qualities. From the start at the consultation to when the client walks out the door, we need to be communicating and listening to ensure a satisfied client. Now that’s not something you will necessarily pick up right from the start. But the more that you do it and the more practice you get, the better and better you will get a it. Looking back at the beginning of my career to now, i’m proud to see just how much i’ve grown in those areas
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I was fortunate to take a class called the reset, where i learned how to recognize when i need a moment to step away, shake the feeling off, reset, and get right back into it. When i’m in the salon, i will usually step outside in between an appointment and listen to one of my favorite songs. Or i will play one of my favorite games on my phone for even just 5 minutes. Just to stop thinkng about whatever has overwhelmed me for a moment, shake off the feeling, and then start fresh again. I find that helps me in situations like that and may possibly help someone else in moments like that
Contact Info:
- Website: Www. Johnnyrodriguezsalon.com
- Instagram: @riverajess23
- Other: Jessica_rivera23@hotmail.com
