Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Alexis Flatt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Janelle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My mom is a hairstylist and so I was raised in this industry. From sweeping the floors, to answering phones, to rolling perms after school to keep me occupied. I really loved answering the phones and making appointments because I would recognize people’s voices and remember their phone number while I was making their appointments (made me feel smart). When I turned 18 I started as a receptionist at a salon in Pasadena with my god brother. Around that time my mom and stepdad that was also a hairstylist decided to open a salon on Kirby. I would do all the retail ordering, make appointments, help with inventory, and focus on customer service. As we all know, working with family can be quite interesting especially when a lot of the family members do hair even the Grandpa. We were married into the Galmiche ‘family which if you are from Houston or have been here for a long time, the Galmiche’s were top of their industry. Around the same time while going to school, working at the salon, my interest was piqued because even though I was not very tall one of my aerobics instructors started talking to me about pageants and modeling. Who me? I am five feet tall, but I wanted to be one of the pretty girls and you could make money doing it. Pageants back then, either you paid a fortune to get your hair and makeup done or you learned to do it. So that was what peaked my interest to start doing hair and makeup because honestly, I thought you had to have a cosmetology license to do makeup and styling hair. Fast forward a couple of years I was managing another salon and decided to go to cosmetology school. Working full time and going to school at night. While in school I became pregnant with my daughter and the day before she was born (might I add 50 lbs heavier) I went to Austin to take my cosmetology license and haven’t looked back since. I did an apprenticeship program at jose Eber/Ceron which I felt was great, but I was too advanced and bored, more than anything I needed confidence. I went searching for a new salon to work at and I called my Grandpa and asked him, “do you know anything about Norris of Houston?” He said yes you are going to work a lot and I said great! I really was un aware the reach he had, Norris and he were good friends. Work I did… A LOT! I had to prove myself coming from a family of hairstylists. I have taken classes for master at Wella Color Academy, Aquage cutting, Balayage, Vidal Sassoon, Updo classes, Mac makeup classes, Voodoo Makeup, Keratin treatments, Japanese straighteners, and Extensions. My Passion more that anything is making people feel beautiful. I have been an educator for Marcia Keratin Treatment, Global Keratin Treatment, and Babe Hair extensions (for the past 9 years a National Educator for 3). When Norris’s owner died after many months of the fallout of the salon I decided to go work at my mother’s salon for a couple of years. It was a combination of my husband telling to do it and feeling obligated all at the same time. This was my first time leasing my station and I loved it. Well… I didn’t love how far I was away from my daughter’s school, the noise gave me full blown anxiety, but all in all I knew I could make it. I went back to Eliana’s formerly Norris for a few months until the salon opportunity pretty much fell in my lap. After negotiations of which my husband handled because he is let’s face it a guy and deals better with guys in negotiations. October 13, 2017 closed on the salon and we are almost at a year. There a lot of things that has shaped me into the hairstylist and owner I am today. More importantly my fear of failure and pure determination has pushed me to step outside my box every day and reach for the things I want more than anything.
Great, 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?
This road that I am on has had so many twisting paths and bumps, but I am pleased with the results that are happening. Firstly, I had to get over my fear of giving my opinion. Secondly, I had to overcome my fear of not being good enough. Thirdly, I have had to learn to say NO. Fourthly, I had to learn to laugh at myself every day. Finally, I had to learn to love myself. I personally have gone through much in the past 15 years that I could write a book. I would make it a short funny read but a good juicy one. I have been given so many opportunities of which I have worked hard for but also people giving me a chance. I am truly grateful for all of it. One of the most painful experiences I have had was my dad dying while I was working behind the chair taking out extensions. I listened to the phone call, kept taking out my client’s extensions and then broke down. I kept my game face on though. What that did for me almost instantaneously was it made this fire grow inside of me that is such a force. You realize how short life is and if there is anything I regret, or I want to do I do it. Because I am not guaranteed tomorrow. I have had to learn to listen and not just to hear. What that means is I must be an intentional listener to everyone around me. When you make yourself incredibly busy you tend to hear people, but you don’t take the time to listen to them. Being an intentional listener has made me a better wife, mother, and leader. I am so driven that I am a workaholic. I also make myself so busy that is impossible to sweat the small stuff. I am currently a junior at University of Houston Downtown getting my bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. I have 13 classes left so I am pushing through. In between working full time behind the chair, being a National Educator and traveling, taking my classes, being a mom, wife, and business owner, I must have everything put in its order.
Janelle Alexis Salon – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a newly renovated 2400sqft salon perfectly located in the heart of Tanglewood right off Woodway Drive. We specialize in Highlights( mini, partial, full), Balayage, All over color( Permanent ,semi, specialty, gray blending), Adult haircuts, Kids cuts, shampoo, Basic or Full Style, Blow-dry, Brazilian Blowout, Keratin Treatments, Perms/relaxers/re-texturizing, Deep Conditioning Treatments, hair extensions, Makeup, Formal Styling/ Special Occasion, bridal hair and makeup,
I am most proud of our team, everyone on staff is eager to grow and help each other throughout the day. I am also very proud of finally owning a Salon that my family and myself are proud to call our own.
We are an education-based salon, which I believe is key in this industry. We have started our mentorship program which allows future stylists to study under and with me while in school. Cosmetology school is great for the basics but learning hands on is done in a salon atmosphere. It is my goal with each new stylist to start them while they are in school mentoring with me. I take them through makeup, spray tanning, shampooing, color application, all types of highlights and balayage, haircuts, blow-dry, updos, men’s cutting and styling, and hair extensions. Typical mentor programs or apprenticeship programs usually last anywhere from 9 months to 18 months. I want to have the basics out of the way that way once each new stylist is licensed we can work on the hands-on part. This portion of my salon is one of my passions. Our industry is constantly evolving, and we are constantly focused on learning all the new trends in the Hair industry. I am constantly educating other stylist nationwide on hair extensions and when I am not teaching, I am taking a class.
What were you like growing up? Personality wise, interest wise, etc.
Growing up I moved around a lot. I always had to try to fit in and really didn’t get any lifelong friends until I met one of my best friends Mitch in junior high and Shannon and Jennifer in high school. I was super curious, sweet, fun, shy, always wanted everyone to like me. My grandma used to ask me “What are you writing a book Dear Abby?” I used to ask a lot of questions. I didn’t become a dare devil, an adrenaline junky, or the life of the party until I was older and more sure of myself. I am a Gemini that says it all. What people know most about me is I LOVE TO DANCE! If you ever invite me to a function or a wedding I will be tearing up the dance floor all night.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5750 Woodway Dr. Suite 1700
Houston, TX 77057 - Website: www.janellealexissalon.com
- Phone: 713-780-2412
- Email: hello@janellealexissalon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janellealexissalon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janellealexissalon/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SalonAlexis
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/janelle-alexis-salon-houston-2
- Other: https://plus.google.com/u/3/102179647202353307036
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