Today we’d like to introduce you to Melody Jalomo.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I think it’s rather a funny story about how I entered the beauty industry. To start, I like to say God has a sense of humor. To have known me when I was younger, I was very much a tomboy and wanted to enter the medical or engineering field. I was very passionate about sports, the sciences, and anything in that realm. In my senior year of high school, I ended up getting very sick, had to graduate early due to upcoming surgeries, and overall from missing too much school.
I had lost some scholarship opportunities from colleges for volleyball due to not being able to play my senior year, and so on. Therefore, I had to shift gears on my future. This is where God’s sense of humor comes into play as just the thought of doing hair and pursuing cosmetology popped into my head, and let’s just say I did not look the part by any means. I always thoroughly enjoyed art and painting, so I thought to myself that hair is another art form with the potential for a great career path. I found a local beauty school with some scholarships they offered to future students, so I applied for the scholarships and the school. I told the Lord, “If I get this scholarship, I’ll go to cosmetology school.
If I don’t, I’ll do something else.” So I joke that I gave Him an ultimatum for my fate in attending beauty school. And won’t you know it, I received the scholarship. There was my answer, and the start to an amazing career. I’ve been in this industry since 2016, and I have been blessed immensely along the way. In 2019, I won Knox News Best of Knoxville Best Hairstylist, which was crazy and a huge highlight in my journey. I then moved to Nashville at the end of 2019, to start fresh and try something new. I’ve always enjoyed challenging myself and seeing how far I can push the limits.
Then in 2021, I was able to open my salon and start a new journey of running a business while being behind the chair. Along the way throughout my entire career I have been able to work on music videos, runway shows, fashion and other photo shoots, a million weddings, be a traveling educator and teach other stylists tricks of the industry, and become a master extension artist and certified balayage master. I cannot wait to see what another seven years in the industry will do!
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?
It has not always been rainbows and sunshine!
Moving to a new city to essentially start over was a struggle, but learning to transition well and being open to growth has made my journey more smooth sailing. I’m grateful for the times of struggle because they always result in my times of biggest growth!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My salon is called Lenora Hair Lounge, which is named after my youngest sister who is also my best friend. She also was my practice dummy during my early years of hair, which to be honest was not my best work. So it’s very deserving to have it named after someone so patient during those training years! I specialize in lived-in color for brunettes or blondes, balayage, and extensions!
I would say that’s also what I am most known for. I also do event styling and airbrush makeup for any occasion. I feel what makes what I do different from others is that I am a lifestyle hairstylist. I work to deliver results that are catered to my client’s lifestyle specifically, no matter if it’s color, haircuts, or extensions. Every single service I offer is customized from person to person because everyone is different and has different needs.
I am extremely proud to offer such customized services and excel at them. I take great pride in my work and the relationships I have built with my clients. I am always open to taking on new clients and expanding in growth! I always try to work with my clients for what looks, styles, and colors fit best with their lifestyle and budget.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My best advice for anyone starting in any industry is to get on social media! I will be the first to admit that social media is hard to keep up with and navigate sometimes. However, if you get on there and find people in your industry that you look up to or like their style — follow them and watch all they do. Learn from other people on social media and how they give consistent results!
Even DM these role models and ask for tips! They may not always respond, but it never hurts to shoot your shot. I also recommend investing in continuing education and coaching. Take the classes, in person and online! You need both in my opinion. Online classes have perks that you can learn great things from, but in person, you get that direct one-on-one teaching that you absorb on a different level.
Pricing:
- Extensions: custom pricing person-to-person
- Full Blonding: $305+
- Partial Blonding: $220+
- All Over Color: $185+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lenorahairlounge.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hairby_melc?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Holan Brett Photo and Horizon Media Group
