Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Smith Weaver.
Hi Jenna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was 15 years old, I began working in a little girl’s salon doing hair & makeup for girls ten and under. I enrolled in a dual enrollment program at nights to get my associates degree a technical college in a nearby city. I chose master cosmetology as my track; with this, I was able to complete high school core classes at a college level – while receiving high school & college credits for them, as well as attending cosmetology classes in the same building. I wanted to get my esthetician license, as my dream was to pursue a career in cosmetic dermatology and I wanted to have the opportunity to work in a med spa while completing my undergrad in college. I began this program at 16 – my junior year of high school and simultaneously drove 70 miles a day as well as attending class from 8am – 10:30 pm. I never had any intention of doing hair, but I did it for fun in my mother’s bathroom and made a hair page for giggles. My senior year of high school – 2nd year of cosmetology school – Laci – the owner of the salty mane – messaged me on instagram asking to interview me for an assistant position. I accepted – knowing I had plans to begin school at the University of Tennessee in the fall. We met and instantly clicked and she left her then salon and opened a suite – The Salty Mane. I was the only employee and fell in love with the hair industry.
We had the best time ever laughing and doing hair all day with the most amazing and kind clients. I graduated from South Forsyth High School that May with a 4.2 GPA and Lanier Technical College as the first student in my state to simultaneously graduate from college & high school with honors from both at the same time. I left in the end of August and began my degree in Biochemistry with a concentration of Cellular & Molecular Biology & a minor in Neuroscience. I came back periodically and worked here and there & of course returned in the summers full time – while of course taking summer classes at UNG. When she opened the larger version of the salon, she offered me a chair, and my exact response was – well, of course.. but I live in Tennessee! Soon after, Covid happened. Due to our small staff and large space in the new salon, we only closed for four days. I was home from Tennessee for five months and gained a surprisingly large and consistent clientele in that time. I returned to school in the fall, but now coming back every other week to work Wednesday-Sunday. I was able to do this due to remote online courses. I loved my clients, and the art of doing hair & wonderful interactions made my school work seem like a breeze.
When classes became solely in person again, and I didn’t have the leniency of leaving on weekdays, I began driving back every Friday after classes and working Saturdays – and taking consultations Friday nights – if the traffic didn’t turn my 4-hour drive into a 6-hour drive. I knew with graduation nearing I wasn’t meant to work in patient healthcare – but that didn’t mean I didn’t absolutely LOVE what I was studying. The intricate science knowledge I gained from my degree helps me in doing hair every day. I hope to one day utilize my degree and work in the cosmetic science industry as well to help hair products become less toxic and more manageable for everyday use without the fear of dangerous chemicals. As of right now, my clients get to hear my party trick of knowing every single chemical and backstory of the product I am using in their hair. I am now 24 years old, I have been doing hair almost ten years, have maintained the same clientele the entire time & completed a degree in another state at a major university. I would have never been able to do this without my wonderful salon, my amazing boss, and my best friends I work with that supported me every day and made me the hairstylist/scientist I am today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest struggle I faced was the commute & juggling college life. I paid for my tuition & living with the money I made doing hair. Trying to be an active sorority girl and maintain a steady clientele in another state was one of the biggest stressors while taking an average of 22 credit hours in upper-level biochemistry courses.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a hairstylist who specializes in healthy blonding, natural balayage, and extensions that won’t damage your hair. I believe the methods I use and the extreme care I dedicate is what separates my salon’s work from others. I don’t usually sit for more than 5-10 minutes every day as I am more concerned about the state of my client’s foils than the state of my feet when I get home at night!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Art class. I excelled in art my entire life and even stayed after in school once I could drive to continue working on my pieces.
Contact Info:
- Website: Thesaltymane.com
- Instagram: Jennasw.mane // jennasw or thesaltymane
- Other: TikTok: jennasmithweaver
