Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamiah Mott.
Hi Jamiah, 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?
My journey into salon ownership began with a simple but powerful belief that hair can change how people feel about themselves. At the age of twenty-one, I opened my first salon, and I have now operated successfully for three years. I did not grow up with exposure to business formulas, investors, or formal entrepreneurial guidance. What I possessed, however, were technical skills, deep passion, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of hair, not only in appearance, but in confidence, energy, and self-worth.
At the outset, my financial resources were extremely limited. I lacked the means for contractors, elaborate décor, or a professional build-out team. Instead, I relied on my own labor. I painted walls, assembled furniture, installed mirrors, cleaned floors, and constructed my first salon piece by piece through perseverance, sacrifice, and faith. While the space was not perfect, it was authentically mine.
During this time, life did not pause to accommodate my ambitions. I was completing cosmetology school, working at another salon to support myself, and simultaneously building my own business from the ground up. There were extensive periods when I worked open to close entirely alone, without an assistant, receptionist, or fellow stylist, supported only by faith and the clients who entered my doors. Some months brought uncertainty about paying rent, and some nights filled with doubt. Yet each setback strengthened my resolve and clarified my purpose.
Through consistency and dedication, individual clients became a stable clientele, which led to reliable income and long-term sustainability. I reached a point where I could meet my financial obligations with confidence, expand my team, and create meaningful opportunities for other stylists, individuals who, like me, were young, ambitious, creative, and determined.
My journey is grounded in the reality of being a young African American woman building a business in an environment that does not readily provide grace, funding, or shortcuts. I built this enterprise by learning through experience, embracing failure as growth, praying through uncertainty, and refusing to allow circumstances to dictate my outcome. While I continue to grow and evolve, after three successful years in business, I stand as a salon owner, creator, and leader, living proof that it is possible to build something lasting through skill, purpose, and faith.
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?
It has not been a smooth road, and I believe that’s an important part of the story. My journey has been filled with growing pains, setbacks, and moments where I had to figure things out without guidance or guarantees. I started without investors, without a blueprint, and without the safety net that many entrepreneurs rely on. Every lesson was learned in real time.One of the biggest struggles was learning how to balance creativity with leadership. Transitioning from being just a stylist to becoming a business owner meant learning systems, boundaries, finances, and how to lead people with clarity and compassion. There were moments of burnout, self-doubt, and having to make uncomfortable decisions for the sake of growth. I also faced financial challenges, limited resources, and the pressure of wearing every hat while still delivering excellence to clients. Building credibility, maintaining consistency, and staying true to my vision in an industry that constantly shifts was not easy.Despite all of that, every obstacle strengthened my discipline and deepened my faith. The struggles taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of trusting the process. What once felt like delays became preparation, and the challenges ultimately shaped me into a more grounded, intentional, and purpose-driven leader.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a master cosmetologist and salon owner with a strong passion for hair artistry, education, and creating confidence through beauty. I specialize in healthy hair care, silk presses, protective styling, braids, custom color, and natural hair services, with a strong focus on maintaining the integrity of the hair.
I’m known for my attention to detail, consistency, and the way I prioritize both the client experience and hair health. Beyond styling, I take pride in mentoring other stylists, building a positive salon culture, and creating opportunities for growth within the beauty industry.
What I’m most proud of is building my business from the ground up and sustaining it successfully for several years while continuing to evolve creatively and professionally. I’ve expanded my work into fashion and creative direction and I am hosting my own fashion show, Roots to Runway, which bridges the gap between hair and high fashion.
What sets me apart is my ability to combine skill, vision, and leadership. I don’t just create styles. I create experiences, elevate brands, and help people feel confident in who they are. My work is intentional, rooted in excellence, and driven by purpose.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is purpose. Purpose in my work, purpose in how I lead, and purpose in how I impact others. I believe that what I create should mean something beyond the moment. Hair, fashion, and beauty are my tools, but transformation is the real goal.
What matters most is helping people see themselves differently. Confidence can change how someone walks, how they speak, and how they show up in the world. I’ve witnessed how a single experience in my chair can restore self-worth, healing, and belief. That responsibility is not something I take lightly.
I also value growth and legacy. I didn’t come into this industry with a blueprint or privilege. Everything I’ve built came from faith, discipline, and resilience. Because of that, it matters deeply to me to open doors for others, to mentor, and to create spaces where creativity and ambition are nurtured, not limited.
At the core, what matters most is alignment. Aligning my gifts with my calling, my success with integrity, and my vision with impact. I want my work to outlive me, not just through styles or shows, but through the confidence I’ve poured into people and the paths I’ve helped them believe were possible.
Pricing:
- Consultation required for all new clients (fee applies and goes toward service when booked)
- Silk press services start at $85 and vary based on hair length, density, and condition
- Protective styles including braids and twists start at $150+
- Natural hair services including treatments and styling start at $85+
- Custom color services are priced per consultation due to customization and hair health requirements
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hairstylesbyjmott.glossgenius.com/about
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairstyles_jmott?igsh=bXI1aTR1OHFkNGN0
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14KgVaYDWNR/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Mino T Visuals
@lifeofimagery
