We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad’s 25 Under 50K contest, sponsored by Platinum Seamless.
Get to know Jacquie DeMeno (@jacquie_beauty). She is a hairstylist and salon suite owner of Divine Feminine Hair Studio in Schwenksville, PA.
Q&A:
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Jacquie DeMeno (JD): I can read tarot cards.
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
JD: I started experimenting with my friends and my own hair in high school. After starting college, I decided to change courses and enroll in cosmetology school.
BLP: What is your proudest accomplishment?
JD: My proudest accomplishment is getting my work published in magazines!
BLP: What is your current favorite hair trend?
JD: The hair trend I’m really loving right now is coppers and color blocking (especially on textured hair)!
BLP: What is a tip you have for your fellow stylists who are looking to grow their following on socials?
JD: The best piece of advice I have is to be consistent. A client of mine has over a million subscribers on YouTube, she said the same thing and she isn’t wrong! Showing up consistently every week through stories, posts and videos will get you seen more regularly!
BLP: What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself just starting out in the industry, looking back on your whole career?
JD: I would tell myself that change isn’t scary, but staying stuck in a bad situation or toxic environment is. I always told myself I wouldn’t make a good salon owner, but I was wrong. I wish I was kinder to myself starting out!
BLP: What is a valuable hair tip that you want to share with your fellow stylists (whether it’s a business tip or something related to styling/working with hair)?
JD: Curly and textured hair scares a lot of people. It’s not as hard as it looks! It’s all about getting water in the hair and then using a product with hold to define the hair and keep the moisture (aka water) in the hair!
BLP: What inspires your work?
JD: I feel like I’m part of a large community of stylists on Instagram, especially with other curly artists! They are constantly inspiring me to push limits, try new things and get out of my comfort zone.
BLP: What is something that keeps you passionate and motivated in the industry each day?
JD: I am always motivated to keep creating more interesting work than I already have. I’m always in competition with myself!
BLP: What changes would you like to see the industry make in order to grow/change/evolve/be better than it was before?
JD: Particularly in Pennsylvania and other states that don’t allow booth rent, I think it’s time to change things to allow more growth. Here, salons can only pay commission or hourly rates, and no one seems to make much of a living unless they branch out on their own. Likewise, barbers are allowed to booth rent in Pennsylvania, yet stylists are not permitted to. This practice just doesn’t sit right with me.
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
JD: One of the goals I have for myself is to create a program for people to learn how to care for their natural texture. In a world where influencers and social media dictate hair trends and products, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed with options. I find most of my clients don’t know what products to reach for or why. I would like to help teach people the WHY behind the products they are looking for, so they don’t have to feel so overwhelmed. Curly hair is simple, but I think as a society we make it more complicated than it has to be.
