Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Cheel.
Hi Jillian, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to Provo in 2015 at 18 to go to MATC in Spanish fork. I was really excited about doing hair but also wanted to find a husband because that’s just how it was 10 years ago in Provo.
I was able to assist some amazing stylists outside of school and really found a creative flow with doing color and extensions. I love Utah but I’m an Arizona girl at heart and the weather just wasn’t for me. I signed up for a specialized extensions class in Laguna Beach 2 years after I moved to Provo and fell in love with their online classes. The way they spoke about hairdressers made my confidence go way up. I didn’t become a doctor a lawyer or even go to college and I used to be extremely self conscious about that.
They offered me a job and I had a huge decision to make. I had a semi full clientele that I had worked hard for and the jump seemed big. But LA felt like it had so much more to offer in that space at the time.
Years, long distance with my husband for a year, an apartment, countless setbacks, 3 beautiful babies later. I know own a salon with 2 business partners half a mile from the beach in Dana point. If you had told me at 18 that I could make a successful career for myself I would’ve told you yes that’s what I want but I don’t see it being realistic by 29. Maybe a passion project.
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?
Ugh so many haha.
My husband and I did long distance while I was commuting to California to work during the week and help teach classes and back to Utah on the weekend to make money from my clients here. I slept on my best friends couch for about 8 months with her Great Dane while she was pregnant and I’ll never forget how much that helped me.
Building a salon out has its own challenges. We went through an extensive permitting process which made us almost give up for a second. It started to feel like a money suck
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in natural coloring and extensions. I want your hair to enhance your current hair and style. I always tell my clients I want to leave looking expensive haha
I have a foil pattern down to a science that feels minimal and some may say I’m not doing enough… but the growout is seamless and the damage is minimal and allows you to color your hair every 6 months.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
You’re in the trenches building a clientele. Take every difficult client so you can learn to communicate well with a client and explain yourself correctly.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Jillcheel and jillldoeshair
