We’re looking forward to introducing you to Crystle Jones-Bond. Check out our conversation below.
Crystle, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day? Whew, it’s a whole vibe. I start by taking a few deep breaths to ease into the morning, then I do a quick scroll through social media—just to see what the world is talking about. After that, I get dressed, read my affirmations from Dr. Umieca (she always gets my mind right), and turn on a sermon while I make and eat breakfast. I take my vitamins, do a little stretch to wake my body up, brush my teeth, and then I’m out the door and on the road to work. It’s part self-care, part soul care, and it keeps me aligned for whatever the day throws my way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Crystle Jones-Bond—a multi-hyphenate hair entrepreneur, award-winning natural hairstylist, and the founder of Assuage Hair and Body, a wellness-focused salon in Murfreesboro, TN. I’m also the creator and chemist behind Classic Natural Haircare Salon Systems, my own line of clean, organic haircare products made specifically for natural hair.
What makes what I do special? I don’t just style hair—I build confidence in your hair journey. Assuage isn’t your typical salon. We focus on healthy hair from the inside out with private, relaxing suites, virtual consultations, and partnerships with other Black-owned wellness brands. It’s a space where haircare meets self-care.
I’ve been in this industry 15+ years, worked with celebrities, had my work featured in Ebony and People Magazine, and was even named one of the Top 25 Natural Hairstylists in the world by Behind the Chair. But I’m still just a passionate woman on a mission to help people fall in love with their hair—and themselves—again.
Right now, I’m working on expanding my product line, mentoring upcoming stylists, and collecting my non-union hours to break into the TV and film hairstyling world. So yeah, stay tuned—there’s a lot more coming!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Honestly, while my mom was amazing—holding it down as a single parent with support from my grandparents—it was my Aunt Ola Hudson who truly saw me before I even fully saw myself. She was the first to notice there was a block in my learning, which later turned out to be dyslexia. And instead of letting that define me, she paid for me to get the help I needed to learn how to function and thrive with it.
She was also one of the first people I told I wanted to be a hairstylist. I was nervous because the majority of my family are educators, and I wasn’t sure how that would be received. But she looked at me and said, “With your creativity, that’s exactly where you belong.” She told me I wouldn’t just be a stylist—I’d be a salon owner. And she was right.
Even with my learning challenges, she encouraged me to go to college and to never shrink myself. When I wrote my first article, she asked me why I didn’t share that I had dyslexia. She said, “That’s not a secret to hide—it’s a testimony that will empower others.” That conversation changed something in me. Now I speak about it openly, and to this day, I’m still amazed that I’m an author. I’ve written articles for magazines and have even been featured in several myself. And every time, I think of her voice reminding me that my story—every part of it—has power.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that holds me back the most is feeling like I’m a unicorn—doing so many things with no one clear example to follow. I’m a salon owner, natural hairstylist, cosmetic chemist, product creator, educator, writer, one of the first African American hairstylist in the CMA association and building a freelance career in TV and film. I have mentors for different parts of the journey—business, product development, freelancing—but no one who’s done all of it at once.
I constantly doubt myself. I make mistakes. And I question if I’m doing too much or if there’s even room for someone like me to do all of this at once. But I’m learning to embrace it. Maybe I am the example I’ve been looking for. Maybe I’m building a path that doesn’t exist yet—but will help others coming behind me. That thought keeps me grounded, even when everything feels like chaos.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the hair industry tells itself is that hairstyling is easy. All hairstylist are not created equal. Like we just wake up, throw some curls in, and boom—magic. Yes, anybody can curl hair or do the latest style they learned from Instagram—but can they do it with intention, care, and long-term hair health in mind?
The truth is, there’s so much behind the chair that people don’t see. Building a solid clientele? Not easy. Educating people on healthy hair practices and breaking generational myths? Definitely not easy.
This job takes brains—geometry, chemistry, biology. Cutting hair involves understanding angles and structure. Coloring hair means knowing pH, developer strength, and pigment science. Even medications a client is taking can affect how their hair reacts, so we have to stay informed on more than just trends.
And then there’s creating a hairstyle for each and every person who sits in your chair—because no two heads are the same. Different curl patterns, densities, textures… it all matters. You’re customizing care from root to tip every single time.
It’s not just art—it’s science. It’s mental, emotional, and physical labor. And anybody who says otherwise hasn’t done it on this level.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m in my creative zone. That could be watching a good show, coloring, drawing, listening to music, or of course—making hair art. There’s something about getting lost in the process that quiets everything else around me. It’s like my spirit exhales.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Crystlejonesbond.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystlejonesbond?igsh=MWp0ZzB5YTVzaHZsdg==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystle-jones-bond-9bba54150?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystle.jonesbond?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Image Credits
Tonya Osborne Photography
Warren Collins The blend
