Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina-Simone Jones.
Hi Nina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I attended Queens Voc. and Tech. In high school, and there they had a vocational program with six different majors. I majored in cosmetology from my sophomore to senior year and received my certification and my license not too long after graduating in 2016. However, I wasn’t working in a salon just yet but I was making wigs but they were personally for me.
It wasn’t until friends and family members started asking me to make one for them that I started charging for the service, which at the time was about $50-$75. I worked in one salon for a week and a half in January 2017 but it wasn’t until July of that same year I was booth renting and was consistently working and building myself.
I worked in 4 different salons both good and bad experiences, but of course, when Covid happened like most beauty service providers my business was at a standstill. Being inside for those few months I took the time to teach myself how to make wigs on a sewing machine, and that was the best investment I ever made because that’s what really made people constantly inquire about wigs.
Currently, in 2022, I now have a salon suite that I share with my MUA, I sell hair alongside my wig collection, lace melt bands, and custom units, and I offer wig making classes for those who want to learn how to make wigs on a sewing machine, and of course, I offer hair services mainly specializing with hair extensions and silk pressing.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. The first salon I worked in almost sent me home crying and I was only there for a week and a half. I was 18 years old, fresh out of beauty school, I was going around looking for different shops to work in, and the one I got hired for I was excited to work there. It was a nice shop and I’ve always been attracted to a glam and luxury aesthetic, which this shop had. The thing is the owner gave off this superiority complex kind of vibe.
Now yes she’s the owner making her the superior, but I mean you had to prove to her why you deserve to work for her and sell yourself. Every salon owner should have an idea of the type of stylist they want. If he/she wants an experienced stylist that’s fine, but when someone is coming straight from beauty school who’s trying to learn the industry like I was, they have to be willing to teach them. She didn’t try to teach me, she just expected me to just know.
Now I knew how to do certain things, but I remember she gave me an evaluation after the first week. All she could tell me were things I did wrong and where I lost points with her, some of which weren’t even my fault. The way she would talk to me sometimes would have you thinking she was talking to a 5-year-old when I was 18. What made me sad though, was that this was someone I would’ve wanted to mentor me. After working at that shop, I’ve worked in salons with money-hungry, micromanaging, toxic owners, problematic coworkers in some, and overall an uncomfortable environment.
I’ve only worked in one salon where I didn’t have these issues. As messed up as it is, I think all of that plays a part in how I carry myself as a professional now. I never want to make someone feel like that, and even if I do because I’m not perfect, I would want them to at least feel comfortable enough to let me know if something I did made them uncomfortable.
We’ve been impressed with HairGoesNina, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Originally I started off doing everything hair. Of course, as I’ve grown I found what part of the industry, I wanted to excel in and that was hair extensions and silk presses. I love a sleek ponytail, and voluminous shiny curls and with my clients, I always want to achieve the most natural look.
I was originally known for my color skills but as I’ve been rebranding myself I wanted to aim towards a more luxury look, so I’ll do bold colors here and there but I wanted to focus on highlights, blondes, deep reds, you know colors that the everyday working woman can wear. On my website, you can purchase a from my wig collection, but you can also build your unit from scratch and you let me know what you want.
Do you want a blunt bob? I’ll give it to you. You want a 36 wig with blue, green, and pink, but you want me to freestyle a look and want extra baby hairs? I can do that for you and you’ll look bomb. Your closure/frontal is old and needs replacement, or just a wig revamp, I offer services for that too because wigs ain’t cheap and you want the most out of your investment. My goal is to cater to my client/customer.
What I think sets me apart is my warm energy and passion for what I do, and this is something I’m now seeing and hearing from other people. When I teach classes I don’t just tell them where they mess up, I show them how to fix their mistakes, I help them find what works for them and make them better. I want anyone whether a client or a student to feel like being around me is an experience.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
That I actually had no interest in making wigs or custom coloring, but now that’s all I do. If I remember correctly, I wanted to specialize in braids.
Contact Info:
- Email: hairgoesnina@gmail.com
- Website: www.hairgoesnina.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/hairgoesnina
- Other: https://linktr.ee/hairgoesnina
