Women Who Werk! is a new feature that strives to highlight dynamic, entrepreneurial women that are taking their careers by the heels and strutting up their own uniquely designed ladders. These women WERK it while working it! They have started their own businesses, are calling the shots and living life stylishly on their own terms. It is my hope to highlight these trailblazing women and inspire each of us to follow our bliss.
{Jasmine with her Press Beauty Ladies}
Meet Jasmine E’lan of The Press Beauty Lounge in Philadelphia, PA
Jasmine Houston is a 30-year-old Philadelphia native, owner and head stylist of the Press Beauty Lounge in Philadelphia, PA. With a background in Marketing and Retail Management, Jasmine always had a passion for haircare and after years of working in the beauty industry as a freelance stylist (with a list of famous clients) she paved her road to owning her own hair salon. Jasmine is my personal hair stylist and is a beautiful spirit inside and out.
Did you always want to be a hair stylist and own your own salon? What was your journey to becoming a hair stylist?
I started doing hair as a pre-teenager and it was my mother who actually pushed me to educate myself in cosmetology and to make it an option for extra income for myself. In high school I interned for the Philadelphia Hair Company and after graduating from high school, I wanted to go straight to cosmetology school, however, my family had a different plan for me. In college, I studied Business Marketing, Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management.
During my last semester as a senior, a professor took our class on a trip to New York City’s Fashion District, where we visited several fashion houses, one of which was Kimora Lee’s Baby Phat. It was then that I presented my resume and interviewed for an internship with the company. Interning with BabyPhat Jeans was a very rewarding and challenging experience! I learned about client/customer relations, inventory management, off shore, retail sales and visual merchandising. When the internship was done, I enrolled in Empire Beauty School where I studied cosmetology and salon management. I received my license in Cosmetology after passing the Pennsylvania State Board Examination in 2007.
What inspired you to open your own hair salon?
I was inspired to open my own business after realizing that it would be the only way to express my creative energy fully. Working for someone else has never been my favorite thing to do and I’ve always been a leader! I never really knew that a salon would be the business, I always fancied myself with fashion!. I thought I’d open a boutique. Hair was just a hobby.
Describe your “typical” work day?
A typical day @ PRESS Beauty consist of:
- Prayer and Meditation FIRST!!!! It’s mandatory for creative flow assurance
- Preparing coffee…Gotta get a kick to prepare myself for all of the personalities that come through our doors
- Confirming and scheduling appointments, product and supply inventory, light spot cleaning…gotta keep the place clean
- Then the fun begins! I try to be as positive as possible and represent the meaning of PRESS Beauty…”More than a salon…It’s a state of Consciousness .”
- We welcome our clients, with the intention to inspire and cultivate the inner beauty of each and every individual that we service!
What do love most about owning your business? What do you like least?
What I love most about owning my own business is the freedom to create my own schedule and the ability to create without limitations and stipulations. I wouldn’t say that I dislike any aspect of owning a business however, I will say that the pressure of being responsible for EVERY aspect of cultivating the business and ensuring it’s success can sometimes be extremely difficult. Faith is a huge part of PRESS Beauty’s prosperity!
Your salon is beautifully decorated like a boutique mixed with a boudoir. What was the idea behind the interior design?
Thanks! Actually, initially I was lost regrading the direction of the creative layout! I considered the space and the natural elements and came up with the color scheme. I wanted the Press to reflect a woman’s haven…a place where she can come and be TRANSFORMED! I thought boudoir and so it was.
A woman’s hair is her crown & glory. What tips do you have for maintaining healthy hair?
My advice to maintaining healthy hair is to revert back to tradition. You remember when Mama, Auntie or Big Mama used to take care of our hair! Every week we were in the kitchen getting shampooed and conditioned, greased and pressed or braided and set! Traditional methods are the secret to maintaining healthy hair and scalp! DO AWAY WITH CHEMICALS and any process that PERMANENTLY changes the integrity of your natural hair texture.
The road to entrepreneurship is paved with hard work, dedication and passion. What was your road paved with? Tell us some of the struggles and triumphs you encountered.
My journey has been very difficult yet extremely rewarding! I have struggled with low self-esteem, doubt and fear, just like every woman. However, faith (which is my foundation), family, PURPOSE have gotten me to where I am today. Creating an environment conducive to positivity and creativity has been my focus and the salon is somewhat of a decoy. PRESS Beauty is all about PRESSING for EXCELLENCE in every aspect of life…starting with oneself. Recognizing, accepting and exposing inner beauty is the first step to a beautiful, triumphant life!!!
What do you see for the future of Press Beauty Lounge?
The future of PRESS Beauty is bright and monumental!!! We’re just getting started on a mission to change the way women think about themselves! We want to help woman celebrate their inner beauty and sisterhood. PRESS Beauty is somewhat of a “grass roots” organization with a mission to promote SELF LOVE and admiration!
What advice would you give to young women hoping to strike out on their own?
My advice to any woman who wants to strike out on their own is to just JUMP! If God gave you the vision, God will give you the provision to make it happen. Don’t let anyone or anything discourage you from your dreams! Trust me…there will be plenty of folks that cross your path, that will either encourage or discourage you! Ladies, please believe in yourself and ALWAYS carry yourself with respect and dignity. It’s easy to get discouraged but DON’T give up…NO MATTER WHAT!
What do you do in your free time when you are not werking it?
In my free time I like to kick it with family and friends! I’m an artist so I try to find beauty and creation in everything. I’m a music lover so my iPod is always on blast! I dance. I read. I love on others! I try to be positive and take the high road on this journey called life.
I am blown away at this article. Not only has Ms Thought opened my eyes to new ventures in the world of entertainment and fashion, she has now jumped into hair and glamour! I am so impressed at the well written article.
High-five for highlighting a budding entrepreneur! I am so excited to see what’s next, Ms. Thought!
PRESSPRESSPRESSPRESS BEAUTY!
Thanks Dana ‘I’m Just An Icon’ Trawick. Jasmine’s answers were so heartfelt and real, I loved this interview!
She seems very inspiring! I’ve basically given up on finding a reasonably priced hair salon I like in DC, so I will definitely check out the salon on my trips to Philly which is my hometown.
You’re from Philly?! Jasmine is amazing, so professional and sweet!
Outstanding article! Ms. Houston is a dear and personal friend. She always has a kind and inspirational word to share with everyone she comes in contact with. Working on outward beauty is just the tip of the iceberg.Helping to cultivate inward beauty is one of her many gifts. Ms. Houstan has established a wonderful enviorment, there is constant networking among clients and stylist at the Press Beauty Lounge. I never leave the Lounge feeling or looking the same, I feel inspired to PRESS on!
Yes Tamara, Jasmine is a great source of inspiration and she is always there for a listening ear and great feedback. I’m so proud that she took the plunge into full-time entrepreneurship and I see nothing but great things for PRESS Beauty!
Ms. Houston is a dear and personal friend. She always has a kind and inspirational word to share with everyone she comes in contact with. Working on outward beauty is just the tip of the iceberg.