We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad’s 25 Under 50K contest, sponsored by Platinum Seamless.
Get to know Jessi Suminski (@abeautyenthusiast). She is curl specialist and owner of ABE Artistry at 11i Salon Collective in Jacksonville, FL.
Q&A:
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Jessi Suminski (JS): After graduating from FSU, I moved to Nashville to pursue a career as a professional singer. I busked on the streets, performed in bars, made incredible friends and even started recording an album. Unfortunately, I had to hang up the mic after aggravating my voice while singing through a cold. This journey taught me that you’ll never regret chasing your passions!
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
JS: My love for hair and makeup began in childhood, but I didn’t attend beauty school until my early 30s. After leaving a job in the medical field and moving to Portland, OR, I enrolled in Paul Mitchell, the School. I faced my first curly hair challenge there, which led to a deep dive into curly hair care and discovering the magic of Ouidad. My passion solidified while working at the Ouidad Flagship Salon By Chadwick & Igor in Ft. Lauderdale, where I embraced the beauty of curls of all types.
BLP: What is your proudest accomplishment?
JS: Being a loving daughter, wife, aunt and Christ follower.
BLP: What is your current favorite hair trend?
JS: I adore seeing more women wear their natural curly hair for formal events, including weddings. Natural hair is stunning for every occasion.
BLP: What is a tip you have for your fellow stylists who are looking to grow their following on socials?
JS: Despite what you might hear, hashtags still matter. Search engines like Google use these tags to show your content to local audiences searching those terms. Consistently tag your location and relevant terms. Think about what your target client is searching for, and use those terms!
BLP: What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself just starting out in the industry, looking back on your whole career?
JS: Compliments and criticisms come from the same place. Don’t let them define your success. Focus on what you love, and strive to be of service.
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)?
JS: If a client struggles with frizz despite their efforts, consider that it might be curls waiting to be revealed. Many people don’t realize their hair is curly because they’ve been straightening it their whole life.
BLP: What inspires your work?
JS: My clients inspire me! Seeing the impact of proper curl care, teaching clients about product selection and techniques and helping them embrace their natural texture is incredibly rewarding. Coaching them on their journey to healthy hair has been my pleasure.
BLP: What is something that keeps you passionate and motivated in the industry each day?
JS: I get bored easily, but this industry constantly teaches me something new. Each client has unique needs, pushing me to hone my techniques and learn about new products and approaches to give them their best hair yet.
BLP: What changes would you like to see the industry make in order to grow/change/evolve/be better than it was before?
JS: I’d love to see more inclusive hair education and campaigns. With over 60% of the world having curly hair, it’s crucial to represent curls from schools to the stage. Not everyone wants to straighten their hair, so let’s help clients embrace and enhance their natural texture.
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
JS: I aspire to be involved in continuing curl education through product development and training. I envision a curl-focused brand that incorporates stylist feedback to deliver the results consumers want. It’s vital to include the insights of those working directly with clients to create meaningful products.
