HOT Living Legend: SHERRI JESSEE
There must be more than 24 hours in a day, otherwise indie artist Sherri Jessee couldn't possibly produce the volume of collections, education videos and marketing programs, and walk the boards at major education events while still working behind the chair. Her awards and acknowledgements also run deep, including being named NAHA 2013 Editorial Stylist of the Year and, of course, HOT Living Legend.
Master Interview
Q. You have a teaching degree and once aspired to work in the public school system. How has this helped your teaching career in the pro-beauty industry?
A. My teacher’s training has been invaluable in terms of organization, creating lesson plans that yield the best results, etc., but the biggest takeaway lesson for me has been the value of experience: You lea to read by reading; the same principle applies to hairdressing. This is why I use platform work to inspire stylists and hands-on workshops to help guide and grow their skills.
Q. You’ve owned a salon and done education all over the world for many years. Are there any new developments in your career?
A. Two years ago, I became an indie educator after teaching for one company for a very long time. Going out on my own proved to be a different type education, including how to keep my career active and ways to stay relevant. It has also opened the door to many new opportunities. I believe that hard work—as long as you also work smart—is the key to success. In that regard, I’m now working harder than I ever have in my life—and that’s saying a lot—with each collection or independent assignment I complete giving me the impetus to move forward at an even faster rate.
Q. What are your current career goals?
A. Outside of maintaining a healthy salon business, which I’m very thankful for, I want to continue expanding my education classes. My love of teaching truly knows no bounds. I adore connecting with fellow stylists and students, sharing my knowledge and also leaing from them. I’m also expanding on my career as a photographic artist. To support this endeavor in a bigger way, I built a studio in my salon and invested quite heavily in equipment. I use the studio for personal collections and stepby- step shoots, as well as for companies that hire me to create images and pieces. The studio is also helping me to further my goal of becoming an in-demand editorial stylist. Regarding the latter, I’m already doing quite a lot of work, but I want to continue moving up the ladder in terms of A-list clients and major consumer publications.
Q. You’ve also launched Elegant, Organized Beauty. Please share the news.
A. I love all aspects of makeup, both from a professional and consumer point-of-view. I also adore using beautiful tools, whether I’m doing a client or model, or for my personal use. Fueled by this passion, I’ve created the Elegant, Organized Beauty Compact, which has a magnetic base that allows you to add and replace makeup pans on a whim, a generous-sized mirror and beautiful artwork on the lid. I’ve also created a special makeup and brush organizer with large gusseted pockets to hold all the essentials needed for personal or professional use and a decorated vinyl lining for easy cleaning.
Q. What advice would like to share with our readers?
A. Believe in yourself; invest freely in your career. Realize that in our business, whether you want to build a clientele, own a salon or work beyond the chair, you are your best asset. Pinpoint your goals and then go after them with all of your heart and soul. Know that education is invaluable and experience is priceless.
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| Photographer: Jason Setiawan | Photographer: Jason Setiawan; Mask: Designer Stephan Keating | Photographer: Jason Setiawan |
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| Sherri Jessee’s Elegant, Organized Beauty |
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| Photographer: Monica True |