Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Clark
Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Jessica Clark. I have been a licensed cosmetologist since 2004. After many years of growth and learning, I took the plunge in 2016 to open a salon suite to take control of my beauty career. During that process, I discovered a passion in business and marketing, the foundation to the success that I had with my salon.
I enrolled in digital learning programs, spent countless hours studying to understand how to stand out in a very saturated market and built a beautiful brand that inspired others to make major changes in their own lives. I didn’t have a lot of hours to give, as a Mom and Wife in a family of six, I had to juggle every hat out there while being available when my Kids or Husband needed me.
After realizing I had tripled my sales in just a couple of years as an Independent stylist, I dove deeper into digital marketing and design. I took on a new form of client and ran with new ideas, helping to facilitate their beauty brands and marketing strategies. This chapter provided new learning pathways, new challenges and a deeper calling. In 2024, I was ready for more as a salon brand. I had been patiently waiting for that “What’s next” for five years; and right on time, the universe answered.
I made a decision to open a larger salon, taking on a mentorship role or a safe haven for talented stylists that already had a clientele; they were just ready for more. When I was a young stylist, I had no idea what being a senior stylist meant for me but every day that passes, I understand that it’s evolving and for now, I am excited to inspire other beauty professionals to put their lives first. Work comes second and the rewards, when executed well, always pay off in the end.
Bombshell Beauty moved to Blue Ash last October with just two chairs left to fill. We have two talented stylists that are building their clientele and discovering their talents and passions along the way. Alyssa Byrnside joined us in February. She hit the ground running as our curly hair specialist. Changing hair color, giving new curtain bangs and even educating new guests on curly hair maintenance at home. Our first hairstylist in Blue Ash was Bailee Gressler, a vivids color specialist with a Hippie soul vibe. We weathered the winter together as a fairly unknown hidden gem, so now that we are about six months in, we are seeing clients return, experiencing positive reviews and gaining new referrals everyday.
I always think in terms of short term goals and I look forward to the next six months in gaining more exposure, touching more people’s lives and really attracting the people that need me as a salon owner and leader. With two full time stations available for a booth renter or a commission hair stylist, Bombshell Beauty has plenty of room to grow!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There were many roadblocks along the journey to opening the location in Blue Ash. A dissolved partnership in 2019 left me feeling hollow, misunderstood and even more determined to succeed. I launched my marketing consultant company while all this was playing out and having to project being so successful and positive while caring for a bruised ego was brutal.
The Covid 19 Pandemic was another life altering struggle. Aside from the anxiety of dealing with a global catastrophe, being a beauty professional meant I was not an essential worker and losing half your household income was devastating. I feel very fortunate that the SBA provided us access to low interest loans to get through those months without work. I had found a space for rent just about a year prior that allowed us to go rent free while we were unable to work behind the chair. I was so grateful, I worked in his shop, as Bombshell Beauty for five years. Most of that time, I cleaned the salon every Sunday or Monday for free; the least I could do!
I had gradually incorporated a salon assistant into my business to take over the workload and as I was getting more business than I could handle, I began to seek an experienced hair stylist to work with me. These subtle shifts I was making caused the shop owner to make a definitive answer on his retirement goals, to which he had none, leaving me with an ultimatum. To stay content where I was, as I was; or make a career shift into complete ownership. I had to swallow my pride and ask for financial help from family to get to where I wanted to be. I guess after 20 years of chasing the same dream, people start to believe it with you and I got an immediate yes to all my questions. Now growing our reach and reputation is the new challenge. For people that never settle, there are always new challenges.
We’ve been impressed with Bombshell Beauty, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bombshell Beauty is a salon located in Blue Ash, Ohio. We have been established since 2016 and have helped hundreds of people upgrade their image, boost their confidence and make positive life altering changes for their health, careers and family.
Our stylists specialize in positive self image, color corrections, hair extensions, curly hair maintenance and styling as well as educating our guests on at home care of mind, body and spirit. Our salon touts stylists with varying expertise, ranging from one to twenty two years of experience in image consulting. With the rebrand we went through in October, the salon has a down to earth luxury atmosphere where men and women can feel comfortable knowing they will have a great experience, engaging conversation or even time to zone out with a coffee and snack while getting their grey root coverage or their hair extension maintenance.
Our services are customizable and our stylists get the benefit of creating their own menus as well as their pricing. We encourage new clients to schedule a digital consultation for a better idea of what to expect during their salon appointments. We understand time is valuable so why waste a trip to the salon when you can send a few questions online using our online chat form. We strive to be as accommodating as possible while still providing that luxury service.
What matters most to you? Why?
Providing exceptional service to my guests and facilitating a successful career for my employees to thrive in matters most to me. This career has allowed me to take care of my family, being as present as I possibly could for them and I can’t wait until my younger staff can look back on their lives and see the same success. The true power of a woman owned business is the legacy she leaves for everyone else that comes after. My success is just a stepping stone in someone else’s success.
Pricing:
- Luxury Haircut 35.00
- Haircolor 80.00-98.00
- Blonding 80.00-195.00
- Balayage 190.00
- Vivid Haircolor 150-200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bbbombshellbeauty.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bbbombshellbeauty
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/bbbombshellbeauty
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artemismediamarketing
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bombshell-beauty-cincinnati-2
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/JyezW4E
