JAKE

     Believe it or not, I never considered becoming a hairstylist until just a few weeks before graduating high school. I attended the Salon Professional Academy in Appleton WI for one year, and received my Cosmetology license shortly afterwards. Just 4 months into the program, I was given the chance to participate in an international student hairstyling competition and ended up winning 1st place in my category (there were five categories) out of thousands of students nationwide. This was the defining moment that signaled to me that I belong in this industry.

     Shortly before graduating beauty school, I set my sights on the city of Madison as I felt there were far more career opportunities for me than back home. Being the only member of my family in this part of the state, it took me years to build connections in this city, but I’m proud to call Madison my home now. This is why giving back to the community is important to me.

     Throughout my career so far, I have had many amazing work opportunities such as working at stage shows, hair expos, benefits, fundraising events, as well as volunteering once a week at a wig salon inside one of the local cancer centers. I have had multiple opportunities to train under some of the very best in the industry and have also worked and trained at just about all of the top salons in Madison. I have taken all that I have learned from each of them and applied it to everything I do in my own salon business. One of the most important aspects of my business is the guest experience. Every client means the world to me.

     My career aspirations were much different back in the early days. Originally I never saw myself owning my own salon business, and instead wanted to get into doing stage work and educating others in the industry. I moved back to Appleton briefly, which is where I fell in love with hair replacement. Once I came back to Madison, I had a new career goal in mind, which was to start doing hair replacement services. Unfortunately, no matter how much I worked to please my employers with the hopes of being able to bring these new services to their salon, it seems they had no interest in following through and only wanted to string me along to use my talents. Once I had raised my concerns to management however, I was promptly let go. Feeling completely defeated and unsure if I wanted to return to the hair industry, I ultimately decided it’s where I belong. I gave years of my life to high end salons that in the end didn’t care what I wanted to do with my career. That’s when I realized the only way to help people was to do it myself.

     I started out as Luxe Hair Enhancements in September of 2022. It was a terrifying move, seeing as I was essentially starting my entire career over and couldn’t rely on past clients for revenue. I started with just 2 friends, both of which were only haircuts, and from there I laid down the foundation of what my salon has become today. In August of 2024, I rebranded to Salon Avant Hair Replacement & Color. A name I felt a connection to, and one I knew would grow into a name everyone would know. In just 3 years I have become Madison’s #1 rated Hair Replacement salon and I’m so grateful for it. I started my salon from nothing and spent years growing into what it is today. I don’t settle for less, because my clients deserve the best.

     My vision for the future is to create a space that is inviting not only for clients, but staff as well. An oasis that our clients can truly feel understood and listened to. One that is rooted in this community, and eventually the entire state. I want to create a space where people want to work and can feel proud about where they work; become the boss I never had. I have gotten to know so many amazing people, both clients and others in the hair loss community. In time I hope more people will come to understand and appreciate the impact we can have on our clients lives. Hair loss is a devastating thing for people, and it is extremely important to me that they know that I am here for them and that I truly do care for them. I want to create a space that is full of positivity and uplifting energy, and one day maybe we can help to end the stigma of wearing alternative hair. When you feel good, you do good; and that’s what this world needs more of.