Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Grieshop.
Hi Jodi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in Dubuque, IA and I graduated from the University of Iowa where I majored in Theater Arts. Growing up a huge fan of the University of Iowa I wanted and loved my college experience. Paired with my love for and creative abilities in Hair and make-up since I can remember, made it an easy choice to focus on Theater Arts as my Degree. I worked bartending as a server and even in the dental building to pay as I earned my degree. I also had lines outside my dorm room and then I made house calls and had friends/clients come to me for haircuts in-between classes. I was a hustler to say the least and love the grind! I paved my own path and role as head of hair make-up and wardrobe at the University knowing I was focused on applying and getting into the Aveda Headquarters in Minneapolis MN where I graduated head of my class as President of my class. I was recruited out of Aveda by many salons all over the nation and thought I had settled on one in Beverly Hills as I had a Theater Degree, Master’s Cosmetology Esthetician and Nail Tech License – I was focused on creating a name for myself, and working on famous people Don Shaw of DASS Salon got a hold of me and flew me to Atlanta during my time deciding on accepting job offers from many salons.
I chose to take the opportunity to check out the South -figured a free trip and making connections and experience in another technical interview couldn’t hurt… I loved it here did a 180 and accepted the job got in my car moved here and three months later was fully booked and asked to taken-over Head Colorist Position. Hustled worked seven days a week, catered in the evening for more money. A year and a few months after moving here, I hit a ceiling where I was, started my own company and rented space to go out on my own at 24 years old and by 27 (2007), I had grown my company and business bought a building started Shear Salon I have created techniques application formulas and systems from my experiences. I try to make each client happier and cater to them specifically on all fronts….physical, emotional, level of effort in regards to their hair, etc. Being a guest artist in Switzerland where I did Hair and Makeup for a week straight booked solid gave me confidence repetition and credibility. I was already at a new height in my career which is how that opportunity came about. I was so excited grateful energized -felt surreal…I rode that wave trusted myself and how skilled I was and humbly killed it. Still in touch with many of those international clients.
Also, personally making connections and working on movie sets film news channels and celebrities local and far helped my skill set. I have a gift of connecting with people and that paired with my skill talent and love of hair keeps me thriving. Being asked to do MaryLou Rettons hair and make-up for an Olympic Commercial this hear was, to this day, unbelievable. I was a gymnast growing up and got to work on my idol and get paid for it. Shut up??? We connected and are still in touch. NEVER burn bridges, you must be a vault when dealing with conversations, and never ever give an opportunity for a customer to go somewhere else! Stay tuned as I am starting to brand my training haircutting techniques launching hair products scissors and combs as we speak and have a franchise in the works for a new salon concept!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road but would not change a thing. I think I underestimated how hard it would be to find hard workers who shared the love for not only the beauty industry and beyond but reaching and attaining goals. I learned you can’t want more for others than they want for themselves. Being the best leader/and co-worker was also a challenge but I believe you live and you learn. I am getting better and better at this every day and my success is a marker to validate that for me, I was also hard to find a balance with work and personal simply because I love everything being a hairstylist entails, the grind, the relationships, the creativity, the success, the creativeness…..I could go on and on about what I love about my industry which made it difficult to know I had to say no and create balance and boundaries with the amount of time I was working.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I believe the most important thing I have done is to maintain a strong work ethic and balance my love for my industry along with my love for being a parent. It has taken me a long time to figure out what not to do. I have always told myself and my kids that sometimes work has to come first and there is a benefit to that mentality in the end. Also, failure is not an option, communication is key. If you have confidence you can outwork and communicate through most situations, good or bad, you will likely not fail. I want them to find passion in what they do and become, so they never feel like it is an inconvenience or waste of time-I do believe if you love what you do it won’t feel like work-not to say there are not hard times days weeks, etc. Every day I let them know how much I accomplished, how it made me feel, stories from clients and how I have a want to do better. Work ethic is about having self-respect and making decisions you are proud of in the end. I am grateful to continue to show them the connections, friends, and benefits as a result. I know my stylist clients and anyone I meet sees this in me…
I am a technical color and haircutting genius, I am extremely efficient and consistent in my work, always on time and the conversation and relationships I make and work on continue to remain nothing less than complete entertainment and endless laughter during each appointment. I have had to miss things, lose my cool with them fly by the seat of my pants, but in the end, they know without a doubt I am doing my best. Being at the top of my career as an amazing Hairstylist and Salon Owner (which is my first love, starting my Company at 24 years old) along with my greatest work- being a parent and creating something not only I can be proud of but something they can be proud of too. In their eyes, they are seeing the reality of success through what I do every day. I take that very seriously but am lucky I have amazing kids family friends and people surrounding me! This is just the beginning~
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Shear Salon has 5-6 people we work with and runs itself and does extremely well which is why I have started branding my training material products and started a whole new company which is scaled to franchise…I have three close people I am working with on that, however I am the creator and sole owner of both companies…could not do any of this without the support of my family, friends, clients and last but not least my kiddos.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shear-salon.com
- Instagram: @jodi_grieshop @jschwartzhairandmua @shearsalonatl
