Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Szabo.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Having grown up in small-town Calhoun GA, I never truly expected I’d move away and start a business and a family in the Atlanta area. From the day, I was legally able to work, I’ve always had a job- something of my own! I’m thankful for parents, who instilled a hard work ethic from an early age. I always knew that I wanted a family, yet had no idea what career path I want to take. On what I call the college tour of Georgia, I attended multiple colleges and universities changing my major more times than I can count. I like to think I know a little about a lot, ha!
While working full-time and waiting for admittance into a medical program, I attended hair school at night to pass the time, simply because it was fun and something I was always into. After graduating, I met and married my husband, Marshall, and we moved to Alpharetta – his hometown. I knew that planting roots in this industry were crucial to building a book of business and providing long term employment for myself. It was there that I met one of my best friends and fellow boss mom, Mikka Orrick and together, we decided to open The District Salon|Events! Five years and six children later (between she and I… I’m not that motivated!), the salon has tripled in size and was recently voted ‘Best Salon of Alpharetta’. I’ve found that the key to balancing work and mom life is finding what you love and applying that into your career. Happy work life equals happy mom life! You will have no choice but to be successful if you believe in and are passionate about it your work.
Has it been a smooth road?
Before I knew what I truly wanted to do, the path getting there was bumpy! Everything I tried to give a shot, never truly clicked. I felt like a failure because I didn’t finish my bachelor’s degree to go work for somebody else. Looking back, I’m SO thankful for all the wrong turns. Each one taught me what I didn’t want which ultimately led me to my passion. Beauty School was something I thought would be fun- so I went for it. It was definitely hard working full time and going to school at night, but it paid off. As for any ladies just getting started, my advice to them would be to always be respectful, never burn any bridges, and be true to YOURSELF. Try not to waste time (my college tour) but if you do, learn something while you’re doing it and grow from that. Dare someone to tell you that you can’t do it. And when you’re not sure yourself, do it anyway. The reward far outweighs the risk!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The District Salon | Events story. Tell us more about the business.
I became a professional stylist in January 2011. At the start of my career, I launched J. Parker; hair, my own business dedicated to formal styling for weddings, photo shoots, large events, etc. To this day, I still love ‘playing with hair’ and creating a fun end result. However, as my clientele grew, as well as my family, I became fully devoted to growing my cut and color business behind the chair. Today, I specialize in trendy cut and color, particularly having a sweet spot for blondes! There are a lot of stylists who put all of their effort into things like the latest techniques, social media, or purely money driven. While these things are important and some even crucial to this business, I’ve found my drive for doing hair is the people! My clients are my friends and I treat them that way. I want what’s best for them (and their hair) and they know that when they sit in my chair. Every time a client comes in, I get to reconnect with them and pick up where we left off all while giving them the best hair day of the week. It’s my favorite part of my job!
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
For one, my mother! Being a mother myself, I GET IT. I realize all the hard work and sacrifices she put in so that I could do this or that. It’s not easy working all hours of the day, coming home to mom life and still be at every sporting event I ever had. But she did. She always expected me to work and I never questioned her, just did it because that’s what was expected and that’s the example she gave. If it weren’t for her, I don’t think I could appreciate everything I’ve been blessed with now. She never told me I couldn’t do something and has always been my number one fan!
Contact Info:
- Address: 28 North Main Street
Alpharetta, GA 30009 - Website: www.thedistrictsalon.com
- Phone: 770-992-5696
- Email: info@thedistrictsalon.com
- Instagram: @Jpszabohair
Image Credit:
Tori Gleeson (headshot and hair shot), Chris Hardin
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