Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Lechowicz.
Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my career in Chicago at the impressionable age of 15. My first job was at the family salon I had my hair done at for years, they recruited me for the holidays to shampoo, answer phones + help with laundry. I loved it so much + everyone I worked with spoke into me + told me I’d have a terrific career in this industry. They started to teach me things + it was love at first sight. I was an assistant for almost four years until I graduated from high school + completed beauty school.
To this day, I still visit that salon when I visit my hometown + some of the same employees still work there. When I moved to San Diego in 2003, I landed at Detour (formerly a landmark in Encinitas) + loved every minute of my 6.5 years there. At one point, a group of employees left + I sought a solid growth plan for me with the owner. They sent me to NYC for leadership training. It was a “training the trainer” type of format. From there I developed + managed a training program for new talent. My career was forever changed with that pivot because it was no longer just about what I could do for me, it became about what I could do to give back. That saying that says “the teacher learns the most” is beyond true! Training others keeps me on my tippy toes + as generations evolve, I evolve too.
In 2009, I took a leap + opened TWIG hair lounge. We started with the humblest of beginnings. All of the stylists we hired from day one are all grown within our doors. We have never hired a designer because they could bring clients to us, in fact we discourage this behavior. We hire them so that they can organically grow + thrive within our culture. That is a very rare belief system in the salon industry, and even more rare in California. I am incredibly grateful for every TWIGGY past + present because I’ve learned so much from each one of them. I do my best to keep in contact with many of them + still cheer them on. The TWIG culture has always stemmed from sustainability + education. We did “green” before it was a thing. Sustainability can take on many different meanings but for us it’s about taking as little as we can from the earth + giving as much as we can to our team. We truly are nothing without our team.
From the early days we have not only focused on technical training but implemented trainings on soft skills, business savviness + life skills (like budgeting, stress management, self-defense, etc.). I value improving the quality of life in those around me. Maybe I’m old-fashioned or maybe I’m ahead of my time. Either way, I dedicate my career to those who will live by + carry on the legacies of TWIG core training long after I’ve retired. Don’t worry, I’m nowhere near retirement, TWIG renewed its lease right before Covid + we are here to not just survive but thrive. As one of Salon Today’s top 200 salons in North America for 2021 (hooray!), we do our best to make a difference by encouraging vintage discipline of our craft + hope to inspire modern, thought provoking processes. Being a TWIGGY is about building trust + relationship with your team, your clients, your community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a human comes with its own set of obstacles but try being a leader of humans, now that can be challenging at times. I’ve had many days that I’ve wanted to throw in the towel and when I do I always go back to my WHY. I know I was built for a time such as this + through each stretching session we grow. The most challenging season of all was 2020. I know I am not alone in that thought. Being closed for over 6 months is no joke. However, it also gave us the gift of time. Time is the most precious commodity there is. Within the free time came much time to reflect + recommit to my why. Gosh, time is a tester. It’ll test your patience, your commitment, your boundaries, your confidence, your flexibility…. I personally took the obstacle of 2020 + came through with some serious hustle. I am more motivated + inspired today than I was a few years ago when everything in my business was on autopilot.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a stylist, I am best known for keeping long standing relationships with my guests. My interns are always so surprised when they hear my guests say “do whatever you want” over + over again. It’s such a valuable lesson because I then tell them how long we’ve been in relationship + that they let me do whatever I want because we have trust. Trust is such a special bond between two people. I build that trust by listening first + foremost, remembering what is important to them, making suggestions, asking for feedback + by making them feel good about who they are + how they look. I am proud of not only the relationships I have with my clients but with all of my former mentors. I was taught that you never burn a bridge.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am always recruiting my next intern. I love training new talent + love those who are a little against the grain. The more unique, the better. Must be coachable, motivated + reliable.
Pricing:
- Cuts range $85-100
- Color start at $100+
- Highlights start at $140+
Contact Info:
- Email: jen@TWIGhair.com
- Website: www.TWIGhair.com
- Instagram: jen_TWIGhairlounge
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