Today we’d like to introduce you to Jami Vetrano-Olsen.
Jami, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up my Nonni owned a hair salon and it was one of my favorite places to be. Between all of the stylists, two of them being my aunts, it was always such a fun and welcoming atmosphere. I began to love to play with hair, constantly using my barbies as “clients” and would cut and style their hair.
When I was 15 years old my aunt offered me a job working in the salon that she worked. I would be sweeping hair and washing color bowls, nothing glamorous, but I didn’t care as long as I could be in that salon. I fell in love with the career and knew this was what I wanted to do. After high school, I went straight to hair school. I began working as an assistant in the salon that I am in today and have been working my way up ever since!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There was always the debate of whether or not I should go to college or go right to hair school but my family in the field helped push me toward getting right into it. They’ve always been around to support me and help push me in the right direction which has definitely helped to keep the road pretty smooth. Starting to work full time at a young age is great but it also has its disadvantages.
All my friends were in college and going out all the time or enjoying the summer while I would always be the one working. It was hard in the beginning feeling as though I was missing out but I was trying to build my clientele at the same time which is not an easy task. It was hard in the beginning trying to balance a career and a social life but I quickly learned how to manage. Although there are still times I can’t make some vacations or outings with my friends and family I am so lucky to be where I am in my field and I wouldn’t change that.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Salon Eleven – what should we know?
Salon Eleven is my second home if not my actual home because I spend most of my time there. I’ve known of girls who have left their jobs as a stylist because there was a sense of competition or they just didn’t like the salon they were in. Stories like that make me realize how lucky I am to have worked with the stylists that I have. The girls I work beside every day have become family. We love to bounce ideas off each other and get each other’s opinions on new color ideas and techniques. My goal as a stylist is I want you to walk out of the salon feeling like a million bucks.
When you’re in my chair, you’re my priority and until you love your hair I don’t feel as though my job is done. Nothing feels as good as when your client loves their hair in the end. I also love how comfortable my clients feel while in the salon. The atmosphere at Salon Eleven is so welcoming that you will feel right at home just like all of us stylist do and I think that’s what sets us apart from other salons.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
So many people deserve credit for helping me get to where I am today. First, I have to thank my aunt who gave me my first job in a salon because that’s where I truly realized this is the career I want to be in. She was one of the very first people to start teaching me and I wouldn’t be the stylist I am today without her first training me. Also, my parents who let me jump right into this career and supported me by giving up college to pursue what I loved.
When I started working at Salon Eleven I was nervous, I didn’t know the girls very well and they were all so good at what they do I was intimidated to start learning from them.
Every single one of them was a mentor to me and was able to show me different techniques that have helped me build my own personal style as a stylist. They had more faith in me than I did myself in the beginning. The owner Jill didn’t hesitate to put me right on the floor before I thought I was ready because she knew I was. I can’t thank her enough for that because that’s what helped me build my confidence and clientele far quicker than I would’ve dreamed.
Building a clientele is very hard and to my family and friends and clients who trusted me and sat in my chair while I was just beginning, you’re the reason I am the confident and talented (at least I think so) stylist I am today.
Contact Info:
- Address: 16A Albion St Wakefield, MA
- Website: Saloneleven.co
- Phone: 7812241011
- Email: jamivetrano@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hair_by_jami_
- Facebook: Hair By Jami at Salon Eleven
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