Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Coker.
Hi Julia, 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 grew up in the small town of East Bernard, TX, where beauty and hair were always a big part of my life. If I wasn’t doing my own hair, I was doing someone else’s! It didn’t take long for me to realize that hairstyling was something I genuinely loved and could see myself building a career around.
My hair journey didn’t begin immediately after high school, though. I spent a year in College Station studying allied health, but quickly realized that nursing wasn’t the path for me. I still knew I wanted a career where I could help people, connect with others, and make them feel good about themselves—and cosmetology felt like the perfect fit.
I attended Charles & Sue’s School of Hair Design and graduated in May of 2022. After obtaining my license, I spent some time working as an assistant in Austin before moving back home and joining a salon in Rosenberg, TX. That season was such an important part of my journey. I learned, built my clientele, discovered my style, and, honestly, said yes to every opportunity that came my way.
Over time, I found my niche and began creating a name for myself. Eventually, I felt ready to take the next step and start my journey as an independent stylist.
In September of 2024, my business partner, Chelsi Alba, and I came together to create MANE & Co. Since then, we’ve been growing, learning, and evolving every day. We’re slowly building our brand and creating a space where clients can relax, feel comfortable, and leave feeling like the best version of themselves.
There have definitely been plenty of learning curves along the way—especially going from being “just a hairstylist” to also being a business owner. But through all of it, I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, and I truly feel like we’re just getting started.
And now, we’re stepping into our next chapter…
MANE & Co. will be opening our very own salon space in January 2027!
Stay tuned—we can’t wait to bring you along for what’s next. 🤍
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?
Definitely not! I think from the outside it can look like everything just falls into place, but there have been so many learning curves along the way. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to balance being a hairstylist with being a business owner. I went into this industry because i love doing hair and making people feel beautiful, but owning a salon means taking on so many other tasks that you don’t necessarily feel prepared for at first.
There have been normal bumps in the road like building a clientele from the ground up, navigating slow seasons, learning finances, managing a team, and figuring out things as we go, but nothing I couldn’t come out of.
I’m glad I’ve had those hard moments though, because I have learned to trust myself, be okay with not knowing everything, and understand that growth usually comes with a little bit of discomfort.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a hairstylist and salon owner. Behind the chair I specialize in effortless blonding, lived in color, and extensions. I love creating hair that feels elevated and luxurious while still being effortless and wearable.
What I’m most proud of is the community we have built around MANE & Co. I have been so lucky to have clients who have grown with me throughout my career, and now I get to create that same kind of growth and opportunity for other stylists.
I think what sets me apart is that I am always willing to evolve. I never want to get too comfortable or feel like i have already “made it”. I’m constantly learning trying new things, and looking for ways to grow both creatively and as a business owner. I think that mindset has allowed me to keep pushing myself and business forward.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was definitely out going. I did dance and competitive cheer in my younger years and went on to cheer in junior high and high school. I was a social butterfly! I always had an interest in the beauty world, but never thought that it could turn into something I did as a career. Once I realized nursing wasn’t the route I was supposed to take I finally let that creative side in me run free by enrolling in cosmetology school.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://manesalonandco.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manesbyjuless?utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/manehtx_?igsi=dzJ4MDI1Z2J5Zndl&utm_source=qr
