Today we’d like to introduce you to Jo Salazar
Hi Jo, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved to San Diego with my wife in 2016. I have loved California since I was a kid, blame it on Saved By The Bell and 90210, but I always dreamed of living here. When moving here I wanted to get out of my current job industry of recruiting so I fell back on some old skills of serving. I got a job at The Cheesecake Factory in Seaport Village and every night when I would drive home I would pass Paul Mitchell The School San Diego on the way. I couldn’t help but be so intrigued and one night I came home and I said to my wife, “What if I went to hair school?” Just trying to gauge her reaction and she looked at me and said “What if you did?” And my journey began there. I am so glad I took that leap at 32 and started over. I absolutely love being a hairstylist, a huge part of it is the connection I feel to this craft and to my clients. I’m almost 8 years in and I have fallen in love with being a hairstylist. I spent my first year out of school as an assistant at a huge salon (35+ stylists) to an amazing Senior Stylist that helped shape my work ethic as a new stylist. I would not trade my time there because I think it really helped me become the stylist I am today and without it I don’t think I would be where I am. In 2020 right before the pandemic hit and my wife got a job offer in Phoenix, AZ. We took the leap and moved to Scottsdale for one year but found that we were so homesick for San Diego and as luck would have it my wife got a job offer to move back to San Diego. We were so grateful for this opportunity. So we packed up our two dogs, our belongings and moved home for good.
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 been the smoothest of roads for me. I had to endure the pandemic when I was still a young stylist and a move to another state where we knew a total of 4 people. I had to leave a salon that was very structured, collaborative with basically unlimited knowledge available to me courtesy of my very skilled senior stylists and go to a salon in another state with an entirely opposite environment. I do struggle with mental health primarily C-PTSD and have been more recently diagnosed with OCD. So it’s been a very interesting journey navigating all these changes and still managing my mental health. The OCD diagnosis has put a special spin on being a hairstylist for me that I struggle with on a daily basis but I like to try to think of it as I just care A LOT! It’s not always easy to keep my OCD in check as a hairstylist because we deal with a lot of unpredictability in this job.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a hairstylist, I specialize in lived-in, low-maintenance color that allows my clients to look effortlessly gorgeous with minimal upkeep—whether it’s a seamless blonde blend or rich brunettes. What I’m known for is creating effortless, dimensional looks that grow out beautifully, which means my clients can go months between appointments without sacrificing style.
I’m most proud of the relationships I build with my clients; I want every person in my chair to feel comfortable, confident, and excited about their hair journey. What sets me apart is the experience I offer—every appointment is filled with laughter, good vibes, and a personalized touch. It’s more than just hair; it’s about creating a space where people feel heard, beautiful, and empowered. Plus, I’m all about sharing random facts! I’m a bit of a reader and very into pop culture so you never know what you will learn in my chair!
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk-taking is something I’ve come to embrace over the years, even though it hasn’t always come easily to me. I think taking risks is about listening to your intuition, even when it’s scary. For me, one of the biggest risks I’ve taken recently was resigning from my previous salon and embracing an opportunity to work at brand new salon (Opening Soon!). It was a leap that felt overwhelming and emotional, but I knew it was time for a change, and my heart was telling me to go for it.
I’ve learned that risk isn’t always about being fearless—it’s about moving forward despite the fear. Having C-PTSD and OCD, I know how hard it can be to navigate uncertainty, but I’ve come to see risk as an opportunity for growth. Sometimes, you have to bet on yourself and trust that the next step will lead to something amazing, even if the path isn’t perfectly clear.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://josalazarhair.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: Jo Salazar Hair
- Facebook: Jo Salazar Hair
Image Credits
Jo Salazar, Xonae Heaton (just the pic of me)
