Hidden Gems: Meet Jovoni Trollinger of TBW360 / Sacred Saturdays Salon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jovoni Trollinger.

Hi Jovoni, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My career has been a bit of a jungle gym, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. For nearly a decade, I’ve moved across industries as an HR leader, following opportunities to build, solve, create, and learn. My work sits at the intersection of people and business—leading diverse teams, improving operations, and creating inclusive cultures where people and ideas can thrive. And then there’s hair. Before HR, I was a hairstylist, and I’ve never really considered that career “behind me.” I still practice as an Advanced Stylist in Ohio, specializing in curly and highly textured hair. It’s a different kind of leadership, one rooted in creativity, trust, listening, and helping people feel more like themselves.

Outside of work, I’m usually planning my next trip, exploring wellness, getting lost in art, or simply wandering and writing. I’m endlessly curious about people, creativity, and the stories we tell about ourselves and the world around us.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Mmm, kinda. We live in a deeply diverse world, and while we’re becoming more understanding, we’re far from perfect. Too often, people still find themselves as the only one in the room who looks like them—the only woman of color, the only person from a particular background, or the only one who grew up a certain way.

Across college, corporate, and the arts, I’ve often been the only person of color or the youngest in the room. That has meant being dismissed, underestimated, and overlooked, even when overqualified. But through perseverance, growth, and the support of leaders of color—especially Black women and men—I learned not only to navigate these spaces, but to lead in them with confidence. I’ve confronted imposter syndrome and embraced my place. I’m in the room because I’ve earned it through consistent delivery, leadership, and excellence, and I show up knowing I belong. I also deeply understand that representation matters. Being seen—and seeing others who reflect you—can create meaningful change and expand what people believe is possible.

I’m also a proud product of Cincinnati’s West End. While the neighborhood had its challenges, it reminds me of Harlem during the Renaissance. We were surrounded by people from all walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, educators, judges, and even a mayor. That environment gave me an early understanding of what was possible and showed me that people who looked like me could occupy any room they chose.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
A mentor once advised me to “keep one foot in the community and one foot in my career.” That philosophy continues to guide how I show up as a business leader and my commitment to creating environments where people can thrive—both professionally and personally.

Today, I’m a Founder and Fractional HR Director, partnering with startups, small organizations, and leaders navigating growth and change. I love this work because I get to help organizations grow and manage the “in-between” in thoughtful, sustainable ways—bringing clarity and structure to complex people challenges while aligning people, culture, and business goals. At its best, my work is about building organizations and communities where both the business and the people within it can thrive.

And then there’s hair. My career as a hairstylist keeps me creative, grounded, and deeply connected to my community. It keeps me connected to a powerful network of women—many of whom are entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders in their own right. Those relationships matter to me. They keep me curious, remind me to stay connected to the people I serve, and reinforce why I believe so strongly in creating spaces where successful, ambitious women can support and champion one another.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is people. Over the last decade, I’ve traveled to more than 10 countries on my own and worked across 5–6 very different industries. I jokingly call it “hopping planets” because every industry felt like its own world, and I was usually the outsider when I arrived. But I learned something from each one that I’ve carried with me.

I’ve owned businesses, worked in HR in healthcare, corporate banking, the arts, and education. I’ve been in organizations as large as 19,000 and as small as 4. The experiences couldn’t be more different, but they’ve reinforced the same thing for me: people are people. No matter the setting, people want to feel seen, respected, valued, and included. They don’t want to feel like a number, a headcount, or simply a client.

That’s why I’ve always been drawn to work that involves people and relationships, whether in HR or behind the chair as a hairstylist. Both have taught me how much it matters to create a space where someone feels comfortable, understood, and able to be themselves. We talk a lot about efficiency and performance, but workplaces and communities are made up of people. I try to remember that in whatever room I’m in and leave it a little more human than I found it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hellojovoni
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jovonitrollinger