Today we’d like to introduce you to Jazzmin Austin.
Hi Jazzmin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always said I didn’t choose hair, hair chose me. I was born with a natural gift for it. I learned to braid at just three years old, growing up in a family where beauty was the language we all spoke. Both of my older sisters are cosmetologists I practiced on family and friends from elementary school all the way through college, long before I ever imagined it would become my career.
Like many people trying to find their path, I worked what felt like fifty different jobs. My last corporate role was in the tech industry, and while it taught me a lot, I knew I wanted to work in an environment that felt more ethical, more human, and far less stressful. So I returned to what had always come naturally doing hair.
I started with nothing but a free Craigslist post, and that tiny leap of faith changed everything. My “hair godmother,” Jennifer Mitchell, a now retired cosmetologist and salon owner invited my sister, Crishuna Scott, and I to model for her and Tomeka James, Bronner Brothers Educator of the Year, at the SIBE (Spectrum International Beauty Expo) in Los Angeles. That moment was the true beginning of my professional journey.
At SIBE, I gained lifelong skills, mentors, and a deeper understanding of what it meant to be excellent in this industry. Jennifer and Tomeka poured into me, challenged me, and ultimately convinced me to get my cosmetology license. As a new stylist I managed to acquire celebrity clients and display my talent by participating in fashion shows nationally and abroad… I found my beauty industry voice by attending and graduating from San Diego City College, School of Cosmetology, creating a foundation that has contributed and shaped me into the Hair stylist and businesswoman I am today.
From a Craigslist post to industry mentors, from childhood braiding to professional stages, my journey has been a blend of natural talent, community, and courage. And every step has brought me closer to the Hair stylist I always knew I could be.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not, my journey has been anything but smooth, and honestly, that’s what shaped me. I’ve always had an act first, ask questions later mentality, so in many ways I was flying the plane while building it. I had created several businesses before, so I pulled from everything I knew from sales, customer service, corporate structure and tried to piece together a system that made sense for the beauty industry.
One of my biggest challenges was work–life balance and accepting that I couldn’t serve everyone. There were nights I worked well past midnight, pushing myself far beyond what was healthy. I’ll never forget one night when my partner at the time called me late. I answered the phone, and he was shocked when I said I was “working.” The truth is, I was asleep, but I was dreaming about working and sleep‑talking through an imaginary client. When he came home and found me knocked out in bed, we both realized how far I had pushed myself.
Another major lesson was leadership. In the beginning, I ruled with an iron fist because I was so passionate and so invested. But through mentors, training, and a lot of humility, I learned that employees will never care about your business the way you do and that’s okay. My job wasn’t to demand perfection; it was to guide, support, and create an environment where people could thrive.
Despite the challenges, we had an incredible time. I was blessed with an amazing team, and going to work felt exciting because we laughed constantly and every day was different. The struggles taught me discipline, boundaries, and emotional intelligence, but the joy came from the community we built inside those salon walls.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in several areas of healthy haircare, including non‑surgical hair replacement, custom lace wigs, gentle braiding, and natural hair maintenance. Over the years, I’ve built a reputation for being both highly skilled and deeply ethical in my approach. I’m proud of that reputation more than anything else. It gave me the opportunity to grant a wish for an inspiring young cosmetologist going through chemotherapy through the make a wish foundation. It matters to me that I treat people in a way I wouldn’t be ashamed of if the whole world were watching.
One of my mentors once charge me with “doing hair from the heart” instead of focusing solely on the business side of beauty, and that advice has stayed with me. I don’t lead with money as my motivation. I lead with passion, care, and the joy I feel when a client looks in the mirror and sees themselves with renewed confidence. Even though not all of my services are accessible to every budget, I intentionally offer tiered pricing so that most people can find an option that works for them, even if they aren’t seeking extensions or hair replacement.
What truly sets me apart is my professionalism and the level of care I put into every head of hair. I’m known for being gentle, detail‑oriented, and committed to the long‑term health of my clients’ hair. That level of care has brought people to me from all over the world. One of my most memorable experiences was when a family from Kuwait found me online, reached out before their trip, and booked services for nearly the entire family. I installed a hair replacement unit for the husband, created a lace wig for the wife, styled the sister and the wife’s mother, and almost did the son as well. The only reason I didn’t was because the mother wanted him to have the same style as his father, but he was too young for a men’s unit.
Moments like that remind me that my work reaches far beyond San Diego. It’s a privilege to serve people from different backgrounds, cultures, and countries, and to know that the care I put into my craft resonates globally.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Growing up in San Diego gave me so many beautiful experiences that it’s hard to choose just one. I come from a very large family, and we were always doing something together traveling, celebrating birthdays, going to theme parks, rodeos, the beach, you name it. My childhood was full of movement, laughter, and adventure. It’s a period of my life I look back on with so much gratitude. Being born and raised in such an amazing city, surrounded by family and endless things to explore, is something I never take for granted.
Pricing:
- Hairstyling kits $15
- Braids $50&up
- Hair treatment & Haircut $90
- Hair Extensions $300&up
- Wig rejuvenation $100&up
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Getjazzdup.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/jazzduphair
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jazz-d-up-hair-san-diego
Image Credits
Her Universe Fashion Show with Cartoon network, Tiana Von Johnson branding photoshoot, Client Bridal shoot, Steve Cooper ll, Ggovanna Cabo Fashion Show, Roosevelt Williams YBNB Award Gala, Winnie Stackz Hollywood Cancer awareness fashion show, Willie Hamiltons Velma Jean Beauty Collaboration
