Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Kalina.
Jim, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
At an early age, I knew that school was not for me. I was bored. I was struggling with who I wanted to be when I grew up. I knew I never ever wanted what I considered to be a “real job”. I loved to create, especially through writing and music which led me to being a singer/songwriter through middle school all the way to my early twenties. In the music scene, hair was a huge factor. I was always surrounded by people with cool hair and I remember thinking what a cool profession being a hairdresser would be. Finally, after it became quite clear I wasn’t going to be attending Harvard, and after nearly being expelled, my parents opted to let me drop out of high school to go to beauty school. Yup, a beauty school dropout. Same old song and dance. Except I didn’t go to school. I took a job making $9 bux an hour driving a forklift in a warehouse, which was the most money I’d ever made in my life! What was meant to be a brief job to “find myself” turned in to a 6-year long escapade. I’m forever grateful for that job. It truly helped me mature and taught me how to have a strong work ethic. After six long years, I knew it was time to move on and FINALLY start my career which was also my ultimate calling in life. I quit the warehouse and started cosmo school, which has turned out to be the greatest and most important decision of my life!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Throughout my adolescent years struggling with school and figuring out where I fit in, I started experimenting with drugs and alcohol which ultimately turned in to heavy usage and addiction. Even though my first few years as a professional hairdresser I continued heavily drinking. I was in a constant hangover. I was doing shitty work and harming my potential growth. It wasn’t until I got sober that I truly started to blossom. My technical and business skills grew astronomically. I also met my now wife a few months into my sobriety. I’m proud to say I’m nearly four years sober now and life couldn’t be better! I enjoy being open and honest about it in hopes of helping and inspiring anyone who might also be struggling. It goes hand in hand with my success behind the chair and in my personal life.
I’ll also say for any newer stylists to the industry: check your ego at the door. I went through a period of time where my ego was through the roof and I’ve learned the hard way that it gets you nowhere. When you reach the state of “I thought I knew everything but I now realize I know nothing,” it’s truly zen-like. Stay humble. Make your purpose about helping people look and feel beautiful. Show up ready to serve, and ready to learn!
I really feel like I’m in a great place and putting in more work than ever to perfect my craft!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Just B Hair – what should we know?
Just B Hair is truly a culture of education and camaraderie. We pride ourselves on putting our clients first and we’re constantly pushing ourselves to better our skills as well as learning new trends and techniques. No matter how experienced a stylist is in our company, we have classes several times a month to truly continue polishing.
Personally, I specialize in blonding and balayage techniques as well as custom haircutting.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’m very fortunate to work with an amazing team of incredibly talented hairdressers. Our owner, Brayden Pelletier has been a great mentor and friend to me and continues to push my limits. My family and friends and amazingly supportive wife, Mary. Also, as the old saying goes “without our clients, we’re just people holding scissors”. I owe all my successes to my amazing salon guests who have supported me through and through.
Contact Info:
- Address: Just B Hair
1611 Satellite Blvd
Duluth, GA 30097 - Website: Www.justbhairsalon.com
- Phone: 770-545-8720
- Email: mr.jamespete@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @jimk_hair
- Facebook: Facebook.com/jimkalina
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