Conversations with Jeni Sanders McKee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeni Sanders McKee.

Hi Jeni, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up with the belief that if I was to be “successful” I needed to get a college degree but I quickly realized that wasn’t the path for me. I started to think about my life and what made my soul happy and how I could turn that into a career. Looking back on my life, I always had a thing for hair and makeup. I was doing my grandmother’s makeup before I can even remember, every one of my Barbie dolls was given a new haircut, and all my friends let me style their hair before school dances.

At 20 years old, I moved away from Memphis and started my cosmetology career at Paul Mitchell the School San Diego. It was like I finally found my calling in life. Celebrities in the hair world would often come to teach classes at my school and seeing them in all their glory helped springboard my desire to succeed in this industry.

A few years later, I moved back to Memphis and worked behind the chair in a commission salon. I was so happy doing hair but I wanted more control of my schedule and my career. I made the jump to become self-employed when I was 25. I was able to continue working behind the chair while expanding my skillset into the world of hair and makeup artistry for weddings and photoshoots.

Memphis has an extremely talented beauty industry. I have gained so much knowledge and so many friendships from the people I’ve worked within this city. Six years ago, I met Chelsea Prince. We were an immediate friendship. We were both hungry for knowledge, techniques, business savvy, and above all making our clients happy.

Chelsea and I recently opened our own private suite, Mood Studio, inside Sonder Luxury Suites.

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?
The beauty industry is hard. It’s hard on your body to stand for 10 hours a day in unnatural positions. Sometimes it’s hard to start emotionally fresh for people. Your first client says they just got diagnosed with cancer and you’re heartbroken but you have to bounce back because you know your second client recently gave birth to her first child and you’re so happy for her.

Some days, I leave work feeling like I have nothing left to give. My husband Daniel is so amazing and supportive. I couldn’t do life without him, my parents, and my Clamsquad.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in doing the best I can for my clients. I was never a book nerd but I am a total hair nerd. The molecular structure of hair, the artistry of color, the geometry of cutting. I love it and I love helping people. Whatever your hair goals or hair concerns are I will go to the ends of the universe to find the answer for you.

I am certified in tape in hair extensions, keratin treatments, and Brazilian Blowout.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
In this industry, the main goal is to help people build their self-confidence. I want every client to walk out feeling better than when they walked in the door. My goal every day is to get to know my clients so that I can help them feel like the best version of themselves.

Knowing I made a difference in someone’s day makes me feel successful.

Contact Info:

• Email: jenisandersmckee@gmail.com
• Website: jenisanders.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: @Jeni_lynn
• Facebook: Facebook.com/jenisandershair/

Image Credits
Michelle Evans Art