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Meet Jennifer Brumm of The Artistic Edge Hair Salon in Framingham

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Brumm.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jennifer. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always had a true, innate PASSION for hair and for making others feel better about themselves. I use my intuition and attention to detail to give everyone in my chair a cut and color that compliments one’s features, works with his/her natural hair texture, and a cut that has lasting shape and is easy to style.

I graduated UVM with a degree in elementary education with a concentration in psychology. Although I love children, I soon realized that my REAL passion was doing hair. I attended a very well-known cosmetology school in Chicago (Pivot Point International), and found that doing hair felt natural to me. I was the kid in high school and college who was doing my friends hair and actually getting very positive feedback. I do believe that in hair (and most other artistic careers)-you either have it or you don’t. When doing hair-one must be able to “look outside the box,” and also have a very visionary mind. I’ve seen many students go thru cosmetology school because they think it is going to be easy. There is nothing easy about doing hair! Doing hair as a career not only involves feeling comfortable with cutting any hair type, but also formulating color formulas that are harder than they appear. There is also a HUGE psychology piece to doing hair. As the hairdresser, you have to be able to figure out what the client wants even if they are unable to describe their desired look in their own words. This is where my psychology degree and “hair intuition” come into play. Most people go to the hairdresser because they need a “lift,” and need to feel better about themselves. As the hairdresser, it is my job to assure this happens. Sometimes, clients just don’t know what they want or can’t explain it and it is my job to find a style for them that will complement their features, personality, and comfort zones.

After I graduated from Pivot point, I worked at two different salons in Chicago. My mentor at one of the salons trained me a great deal in color, and encouraged me to use my creative mind when doing hair. She encouraged me to just be me. I am forever thankful for her encouragement and especially her wise words to do hair in a way that was comfortable to me. It was then that I began exclusively dry cutting-on any hair type. With her training in color and my discovery that I did hair a little different than most, I felt driven to open my own salon where I could provide a comfortable environment for me and my clients. After a while, I realized that I had an approach to hair and business that was a little different than the norm. I felt strongly that working one client at a time was the best way to assure that my clients were getting the attention to detail that is necessary. I also realized that I felt most comfortable cutting dry. I opened my first salon, The Artistic Edge Hair Salon, 15 years ago in Chicago. I became busy fast and realized that I had a talent and passion that was so fulfilling to me. The values I held 15 years ago about how my salon would operate is the same as I operate now. One client at a time, lengthy consultations, dry cutting, unique color formulations, follow up, and making sure my clients are 100 percent happy before they leave my chair are all traits of my Artistic Edge. While I loved my clients in Chicago, I really yearned to bring The Artistic Edge to the Boston area (where I grew up). At the age of 30, I ended up moving back and found a perfect location in Framingham. I originally thought that I would open The Artistic Edge closer to the Acton area because I grew up in Acton, but something told me that Framingham was the right place for my salon. Framingham welcomed me with open arms and I became busy within days of being open. Word of mouth spread about the dry cut and I was shocked how busy I became so fast. Fast forward to age 32 when I ended up having to come home to my family (which was now in Iowa because my mom moved back to Iowa where she was from with my step-father). The reason I needed to come home was because I had auto-immune issues that were worsening coinciding with a large clientele list that continued to grow. It was VERY hard to leave my business (which I often referred to as “my baby”), but I knew I needed to get some answers. After I spent some time healing, I ended up coming back to the Framingham area where I opened a larger location on route 9. I was in this location for 4 years where I continued to grow. I became so busy again to the point where I felt as though I had more clients and calls than I could handle. It was then that I searched for a team of other hairdressers who I could train in the dry cut and color. It was thru this process that I realized that PASSION was such an important key in being successful in the hair industry. I struggled to find a team who was dedicated. passionate, and who possessed good work ethic. I continued to LOVE doing hair, but realized thru this process that it was VERY hard to find a team of hairdressers who I could count on. It was frustrating. At the same time, it was a very eye-opening experience when I learned that I exceled at customer service and making my clients happy-but didn’t excel at being a “boss.” I was a NICE boss but had a hard time managing all of the obstacles that came with hiring employees. Coinciding with a deteriorating relationship and the business becoming bigger than me and not being able to find reliable employees. this tired hairdresser made the difficult decision to close my business in the Framingham area. I decided to take a leap of faith and traveled across the country to bring the dry cut to Austin, Honestly, I was overwhelmed with my personal life in MA and was hopeful that the warm weather would be better for my low immune system. In Austin, I welcomed an opportunity to work with Curt Darling who is well known for the “darling dry cut.” While Austin had a lot to offer and business was flourishing as well, there was a disconnection for me. I missed my clients and the culture in Boston. The heat and humidity of Texas weather ended up having the opposite effect on my health as I thought. I felt worse physically and realized I needed to return home.

Again, if I’m being honest, I ended up in a very abusive relationship in Texas, and knew that all of these factors were signs that I needed to return home to where I felt most comfortable and where I had the most support. At this time as well, I knew that I needed to finally address why my giving and big heart continued to end up in toxic relationships. I needed my mom. At age 37, I went home to Iowa feeling very lost and broken to be with my mother and my step dad and FINALLY heal. I had the opportunity to work at a local salon and bring the dry cut and my skill to a small town in Iowa. This experience was very rewarding. During this time, I realized something that held true for my entire career thus far. Doing hair and making others feel better about themselves and their hair helped ME HEAL. I do believe you sometimes have to hit “rock bottom” to finally learn to LOVE YOURSELF. All of my life, I was amazing at making others feel good-but it was time for me. I had no choice. It was time for me to look in the mirror and love myself enough to FINALLY give myself what I deserved. This was self-love, appreciation for my kind heart, and learning ways to protect myself and my business. The relationship I was involved in Texas, in particular, broke me and made me lose myself all together. It was time for me to use my inner strength to assure that me and my business would move forward in a healthy way. I am forever grateful for the unconditional love and support from my parents, and for my gift in doing hair to help me get thru this transitional time. After extensive therapy and nursing myself back to my parents and for my ongoing love for doing hair to help me thru this transitional period.

After extensive counseling and a lot of inner strength, I was able to nurse myself back to a healthy and clear state of mind. I am one that now believes and knows that the best way to learn life lessons is thru experience. Honestly, I am thankful every day that I am alive and that I have a gift and career that I LOVE. Perseverance was key. And here I am today-stronger (within) than ever and have been given a new look and chance at life. While in Texas, I lost everything due to a flood. I still don’t have a lot-but these are JUST THINGS. I have my talent, and I’m forever grateful for that.

It was time for me to once again, reopen my Artistic Edge. I knew that I wanted to do this in Boston. Since I lost everything in the flood, I still didn’t have many of my former client’s information-except for those on Facebook. This was not going to stop me and I wanted to come home to Boston. Approximately four months ago, I found a location in downtown Framingham that was perfect for The Artistic Edge Hair Salon. Word continues to spread that I am back in the area, and I am also very happy to be meeting new faces. I have a whole new outlook in life and along with this and my new location-I could feel more fulfilled. Sometimes at the time we don’t see why “bad” things are happening, but I really believe they happened to me to direct me to where I am now. Someday in the near future, I hope to help other woman learn to find love from within and I also hope I can support anyone caught in an abusive relationship of any kind. I look forward to seeing my business grow even more and meeting future clients who want a different kind of hair salon.

Has it been a smooth road?
I have had many obstacles to get to where I am at today.

1) Finding a team.

I opened my salon at age 24 and promised myself to always maintain a drama free environment. This is one of the reasons that entered into opening my own salon. When I was at my route 9 location, I searched for a team because I couldn’t handle all of the calls that were coming in. There was only one of me so I desperately need to find other hairdressers who would be a good fit. This was very challenging for me to find. It was hard to find other stylists who would not take advantage of my giving and helping personality. Many struggled with the dry cut but those who had an eye for the dry cut were offered clients and a mentor(me) who would make sure they excelled. I was always available if any of my stylists had questions. Unfortunately, with the exception of only a few-I was unable to find a team who was reliable. I put so much energy into stylists who just didn’t have the passion and purely cared about making money. It was exhausting and disappointing. This was one of the factors that led me to closing my route 9 location. I just couldn’t physically keep up with the amount of calls coming in everyday.

2) Personal relationships/learning to love myself.

My mother taught me to love and to help others. Unfortunately, the men who I was drawn to were men who didn’t work or needed me to help them. The worse relationship was in Texas, which was both physically and emotionally abusive. He isolated me and I didn’t even see the signs of control until it was too late. It didn’t help that I was so far from family. After a little over 2 years, I saw that I needed to get out. My health was not good and I was nearing a break down. Thankfully, I made it home safe and I was able to heal with my family and slowly get my life back. These types of relationships weren’t good for me because I was allowing myself to be easily controlled and manipulated. I see that now. I didn’t love myself. I loved my work and my career, but was lacking the most important key to success and a fulfilling life-self love. Today, I am thankful for these experiences because I would not be where I am at today-which is much stronger and much more protective of ME. I hope to help other women who were in my position.

Hard lesson to learn but probably the most important.

3) MY health-oh, my health…

From a very young age, I got sick very easily. My autoimmune symptoms including swelling, rashes and reoccurring infections which worsened as I approached age 30… It was always a nuisance but it was REALLY hard physically to keep up with my ongoing busy schedule when I opened my salon in Framingham. I never knew how I was going to feel from day to day. Also, being in the beauty industry, it was very hard for me to deal with the episodes of swelling in my face and body. Because I LOVE doing hair so much, I continued to work long days 7 days a week, and my health was worsening. After seeing many doctors and trying traditional medicine, I now moderate my symptoms naturally. I believe in natural supplements to help boost my immune system and help with my swelling. It is all about balance. To be honest, when doing hair, I don’t think about how I physically feel. In fact, I know that doing hair HELPS. It is called Mind Over Matter. By no means am I saying that the symptoms don’t still exist, but I have found that keeping myself busy with something I LOVE (which happens to be my job) helps me FORGET about how I’m really feeling. Again, it is about balance. Eight years ago, I was working WAY too much and not giving my body enough rest.

4) Trusting the wrong people.

Again, my trusting nature led me to trust the wrong employees with money and with my supplies. Unfortunately, the personal relationships I were in were no better. Often times, I was the only one working and my partner was the one spending. This happened more than once. Again, another HARD life lesson learned. Today, I protect my finances and don’t just trust anyone. I only trust those with my best interest in mind. Finally, I am able to see the difference.

If and when I do have employees again, I know that I will be able to make better decisions about who I hire and I also know I will not allow them to take advantage of me. It is so important to find the RIGHT fit-those who will honor my business expectations and who will act as a team player. I will always have a drama free environment in my salon because clients can always pick up on tension or when things aren’t right.

5) Relocating my business because of health and personal circumstances.

It has been hard to bring my artistic edge from Chicago—to Boston—then to Iowa because of my health—then back to Boston again—and then to Texas because of my lack of help and my unhealthy relationship—then back to Iowa to heal after the abusive relationship—and FINALLY back to Boston with many life lessons learned. Thankfully, I am home for good. Of course, relocating has been so hard for me and my clients. When possible, I do travel to Iowa, Austin, and Chicago to see some of my former clients. I now know that the best way to find yourself and learn life lessons is thru experience. AT almost age 40, I now know what I deserve and how to protect my giving heart.

6) Texas Flood.

In Texas, I was in a flood. I lived on the Blanco River and I lost EVERYTHING including my client lists, computer, phone—everything. Stuff is stuff, and friends and clients have been wonderful about donating things for me for both personal and for my salon. Reopening in Boston this time around has been very challenging because I am HERE but don’t have any of my contacts. There are so many clients I wish knew I was back. I do believe whoever is meant to find me-will find me:) Facebook is a beautiful thing because some clients are finding me that way. I am also able to see new clients now. I am looking at this stage in my life and my business as a new beginning so I am very grateful for the new connections I have made and will continue to make.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I opened The Artistic Edge when I was 24 because I had a different approach then a lot of the other salons out there.

I am a different kind of salon. I have a space that is very inviting and comfortable. I want EVERYONE to feel comfortable. Kids are always welcome. I have a lot of experience working with kids and doing kids hair. If mom wants to come with their kids, there is space and activities for all.

As tradition keeps it, I only work one client at a time. I do not double nook. You are the only one in my chair. My consultations are extensive and you will NEVER feel rushed. I am going to make sure that we are both on the same page and that I have a CLEAR vision before I start doing your hair. I have always said that I will not let you leave my chair unless you are 100 percent happy, and I MEAN It! My promise. I ALWAYS follow up to make sure that you are happy with your hair once you have had a couple of days to play.

I specialize in Dry Cutting (on any hair type), any color service including corrective color, updos for any occasion, and self/family portraits. My second passion is photography and I sell my prints at my salon.

I am proud that I have 100% customer satisfaction. Wherever I have brought my artistic edge, I have a following.

Clients can see I CARE. I have something I call “hair intuition,” and can create styles for my clients that maybe they can’t put into words. My cuts and colors last. Typically, my clients can get by a long time with the dry cuts and colors I give them (about 2-3 times longer than before they started coming to me). I take pride in being HONEST. I will never say what I think the client wants to hear or add services that are not necessary. For example, if a client asks me if they need a touch up-I will answer honestly. I guess what I am trying to say is that I do not work with dollar signs in mind.

I take pride in providing a drama free environment at all times in my salon. This is hard to find-especially in this industry. Many of my clients comment how they are able to relax and let down when sitting in my chair. This means the world to me.

I have become very known for my dry cutting technique. Here is a link to an article: (http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20120824/News/308249917) I cut hair dry — something drastically different than most all other salons out there. Why dry? Simply put: “we don’t wear our hair wet.” This “dry cutting” allows room for much more texture, artistry, and a vast array of dimension — making it easy for even the most difficult hairstyling requests to walk out the door with a smile.

The dry cut technique, as well, makes life much easier for the client, as hair will naturally “fall into style” without the usual necessity of styling. My clients find their dry cuts to last twice to three times as long as a typical cut performed on wet hair. When the hair is cut dry, I can see the split/dead ends that can often be frayed and uncorrected and missed with a wet cut.

I believe there is ALWAYS more to learn. Continued education is very important and something I take pride in. The “in styles” are ALWAYS changing, and I make sure I keep up with the upcoming hair trends.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I do feel like my salon is received well in the Metrowest community. There are so many salons around, but most of my clients come because they want to try something different. Dry cutting is hard to find in the metrowest…as well as a salon where you are the only client. Dry cutting has not made its way to the Boston area as it has in other places of the country that I have been. I also think Boston in particular is a great city to have any type of business because if you are good-people WILL talk. Word of mouth is huge here, which I love. Referrals are my favorite type of business. 🙂

I keep bringing my business back to Boston for a reason. I’m here to stay!

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