Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Reese.
Jessie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m going to East mont high school and it was time to pick an elective class. I was not thrilled about any of the options My best friend at the time was signed up for the cosmetology program at Christiansburg High, I thought to myself, I can know a little about hair plus 1hr less of school time to ride the bus. I’ll take it! Fast forward and i graduate and get my license! I started in a VERY SMALL hometown salon with not a lot of foot traffic. There were days i don’t do anything but wipe down tanning beds., so i found a job opening at a Master cuts inside of the NRV mall in 2012. This was my first “Real” salon. With steady foot traffic was able to build a clientele for the next 5 years. Just like many corporation jobs, we are just a number to them. working late nights weekends and holidays. I decided it was time to venture out on my own and rent a booth for the first time! I was terrified yet so excited! I was slow to grow there and was offered another position at a commission salon! I worked there for about 4 years! Sadly, my boss and i had a disagreement and i had just found out i was pregnant with my son. I chose to leave the salon and get a desk job that was easier on my feet and back! I did multiple jobs over the next 2 and a half years. My now wife came into my like and encouraged me to get back into doing what i love! I completely started from scratch. While being back behind the chair i was also helping my sister open her new business. It was a little chaotic! I began looking for the perfect place where i could start the salon i always dreamed of having! Seeing all these salons the same, awful mustard yellow and red walls. Or having to wear dress shoes being uncomfortable for an 8 hour shift I wanted to create something DIFFERENT! I have always love crystals! I think they are beautiful! The Moonstone stood out to me because it’s all about feminine empowerment and starting new beginnings! That’s what we do! We transform women and often give them new beginnings! After a breakup, graduation photos, maternity photos, your kids first haircut, the first time your kid cuts their bangs lol, weddings, holidays photos we are there. We are the definition of what a moonstone represents. I started Moonstone Beauty in April of 2023 and we have rapidly been grown ever since. I never imagined to be where i am today! My goal is to continue creating a space where people feel welcome and comfortable. We want to provide the ultimate comfort experience! Come in your comfy clothes, grab snack and a dirty soda or coffee, pick your favorite movie, curl up in our heated blankets and RELAX and be YOURSELF! My hope for my salon is to keep giving women the power to feel beautiful!
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?
Going from working in corporation’s to branching out of my own was the scariest and hardest part! I basically jumped in without any floats and had to learn as I went. I would say figuring out how to be my own accountant was the biggest struggle and now it’s like second nature!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I really enjoy everything about what I do but there is something about blonding services that I LOVE! I would say i am known for my blonding services and my vivid colors! I Like to think outside of the box when it comes to bright vivid colors! It allows me to be my most creative and i love that! What sets me apart from others would be the fact that i have created such a different look to your average salon!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I truly feel like getting our new location was pure luck! We are right on Roanoke street with lots of traffic and in a very well known building in town!
Pricing:
- Colors range from 150 to 300 depending on the service provided
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gotrust.org/moonstonebeauty
- Facebook: Moonstone Beauty
