Today we’d like to introduce you to Biz Jarvis.
Hi Biz, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I attended Miami University and was a social worker in my first career. As a social worker, I began doing makeup on the side and discovered my love for the beauty industry. After a few years of working as a social worker and a freelance makeup artist, I decided to take the plunge and completely switch careers. I went back to school to become a licensed cosmetologist and continued working as a freelance makeup artist. Once I graduated cosmetology school after completing the required 1500 hours, I began working at a salon in Oxford, Ohio. Over the 4 years that I was at that salon, I witnessed bigotry, racism, and general toxicity in the field which, as a social worker, I was not okay with. As a result, I decided to open my own salon with a much more equitable environment than I’ve seen in any local salon. My mission is to prove that you can run a salon equitably and treat everyone with dignity and respect- clients and stylists alike!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was definitely a challenge working at my (then) current salon while also renovating a new salon and preparing to open my own salon. Some days I would work until 8 pm at one salon and then go to the other salon and renovate or paint until 1 am. It has also been a challenge to stand up for what is right in an industry where people get away with a lot of things that are morally and ethically wrong. I really took a chance of being alienated by my peers and my community. However, I can say now that I’ve had a ton of support from everyone!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In my salon, I provide all types of hair services- cuts, colors, perms, styling, etc. I also love to do brows. I provide threading in my salon which is pretty unique. I also do waxing, facials, and makeup. I provide makeup lessons and special parent/child appointments where they can bond over receiving services. I also provide sensory-friendly hair services to those with sensory needs. Additionally, I provide gender-affirming and queer-friendly hair services. When you walk into my salon, it says “Treat people with kindness” in large letters on the wall.
What do you think about luck?
I would say luck has had nothing to do with my success and it’s all been thanks to hard work, persistence, and dedication to always growing and becoming better.
Contact Info:
- Website: HueMane.GlossGenius.com
- Instagram: @Huemane_Salon and @BizDaWiz
- Facebook: Facebook.com/bizdawiz
- Other: @BizDaWiz on TikTok
Image Credits
Jenna Beers
