Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Boggess.
Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve always enjoyed styling my friends and family for events like prom or weddings. In 2009, I became a licensed hairstylist. I started out at a large prestigious salon in Kirkwood and when they opened their 2nd location in Town and Country I transferred there. They had an incredible training and mentorship program and I was able to grow my skills behind the chair and on the business end.
In 2019, I opened my own LLC, Beautifully You By JB, and started renting a station in another salon with my 2 best friends. Then last year we decided to open our own salon (Sorelle Studio) in Manchester in the My Salon Suites. We now have the opportunity to book on-site wedding work (hair and makeup), which was a huge perk to going out on our own.
We are able to reserve our weekends for bridal and special occasion events and we’ve enjoyed the control over our schedules, products, and services. It was the best decision we could have made, and we’ve loved every minute of running our own business and taking care of our guests! We’ve never looked back!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Opening your own business is a whole new ball game in the salon industry. Getting all our ducks in a row took us about a year. I’ll be honest and say Covid was a very interesting curve ball we didn’t see coming. With the support of our guests, we’ve been able to still thrive amongst the weird last 2 years.
I’m very thankful to my partners, who also happen to be my best friends. Chelsea (@cc.stl.hair) for her help on the paperwork side; she’s a master with numbers and she keeps me in line. I’m also thankful for Jenna (@jennabrown915) – we went through maternity leave together this past year and it helped to have someone else to bounce ideas off of and game plan.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have been a hairstylist and makeup artist for over 12 years now. I love what I do because I have the opportunity to allow my guests to relax, get pampered, and feel important. I specialize in bridal/special occasion hair and makeup. I’ve attended advanced and masterclasses in New York City for styling.
I would have to say one of the proudest moments in my career is when I had the opportunity to work at New York Fashion Week alongside one of the biggest stylists in our industry. Second to that would be working on stage at the Unbuttoned Hair Show here in St. Louis. I LOVE to go to classes and learn the latest trends and styles and bring them back to my guests and my coworkers.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up in the country. I grew up in a log cabin on land in the woods–and not those kit log cabins, an over 200-year-old log cabin. My parents did an incredible job of making our family the center of their world. I can’t say I have one specific favorite memory. I would have to say that my family unit and the carefree adventurous life I got to live as a child is my favorite in general.
Contact Info:
- Email: beautifullyyoubyjb@aol.com
- Website: https://sorellestudiostl.
wixsite.com/my-site/contact- jessica - Instagram: @beautifullyyoubyjb
Image Credits
Jennifer Lutker
