Blogs

Kelly Elaine Anker is a passionate curly hair stylist based in Pittsburgh, PA. I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting her yet but as you can see in the interview and pictures below, she is a master at what she does. Thanks for letting me feature you on my blog, Kelly! 

How long have you been in business?

16 Years as of  December 1,2013. I bought the salon when I was 26.

What made you go into the hair business?

I went to college for a couple of years then I told my Mom I didn’t like the school I planned on transferring to and she yelled “Well you aren’t going to stay home and sit on the couch!” As if I had done that. I had been working at neighbors and babysitting since I had been 14 and got my driver’s license when I was 16 and have never stopped working like lots of people. So I said “Well I guess I’ll get my hair license. I always wanted to get that too.” 2 weeks later I started cosmetology school.

If you specialize in curly hair, what made you adopt that focus?

I ALWAYS loved and wanted curly hair since I was a kid. Curly hair fascinates me, perfectly imperfect. It speaks to me.

What changes have you seen in relation to curly hair in the last 10 years?

I have fantastic news for our patient, wonderful fantastic European customers!!! :-) 

We’re very excited to let you know that our newest product, Spiralicious Styling Gel, officially launches in Europe today!

As you know, Spiralicious is a firmer hold styling gel that has been very strongly requested by Jessicurl customers and works really well for all types of curls. It has been embraced by our customers since its launch late last year and has quickly become our single top selling item. 

For more info about it, check out my original blog post here. 

We have let our European wholesale accounts know that they can order Spiralicious from us now and of course you are also welcome and able to order it directly from us here.  

I know it’s been difficult for our European customers to wait for Spiralicious to get certified in the E.U. over the last several months while we’ve gone on and on about how great it is (OMG it’s so great!!), so I’m stoked that now everybody on the planet can finally get their hands on some. :-)

I've really been enjoying doing this series of interviews featuring curly hair stylists that use and love Jessicurl products. :) After so many years (ok, fine... decades) of bad haircuts, it so refreshing to see that there are a growing number of stylists as passionate about curly hair as we are! :) No more running and hiding after a hair cut! Wheeee!!! :)

Krista Leavitt is one of these passionate stylists who focuses exclusively on curly hair. Read her interview here and check out some of the amazing pictures of her clients. She is truly talented at what she does and I'd let her cut my hair any day. :-)

Update December 15, 2014: Krista has moved to Barrie, Ontario since this intervew was pubslished. Her phone number is the same (613-661-8881) and appointments can be booked through her website, www.LoveYourCurls.ca

How long have you been in business? 

I have been a licensed stylist for 11 years, but in business for myself since March of 2013.

Where are you located?

Trenton, Ontario, Canada which is 2 hours east of Toronto. (Krista has moved to Barrie, Ontario since this intervew was pubslished. Her phone number is the same (613-661-8881) and appointments can be booked through her website, www.LoveYourCurls.ca)

What made you go into the hair business? 

I’m excited to bring you another installment in our ongoing feature of interviews with curl specialists that carry Jessicurl. :) There really is a major uptick in stylists specializing in curly hair lately and we’re proud to be expanding the number of salons and beauty supply stores where you can buy Jessicurl. Today I’m featuring Wendy Wolfe of Cedar Park, TX.  

How long have you been in business?

I have almost 20 years experience doing hair.

Where are you located?

I am in Cedar Park, TX right outside of Austin.

What made you go into the hair business?

I had a cousin and an Aunt who did hair when I was growing up and I knew then, that this is what I wanted to do. I started with my Barbie Dolls. :)

If you specialize in curly hair, what made you adopt that focus?

I started specializing in curly hair because I had clients tell me how hard it was to find someone to do their curly hair. I love doing curly hair it is an art form all on its own.

(Check out these amazing before and after pics of Wendy's handy work! :) )

What changes have you seen in relation to curly hair in the last 10 years?

In the past 10 years there have been more products like Jessicurl out to help with caring for curly hair. Curls are looking better and better with these products. Spreading the word on how to take care of and style curly hair is my job and I love it!

How did you first hear about Jessicurl?

As Jessicurl continues to grow, so too does the list of salons around the globe that carry us. Yay for that! I love talking curly hair and promoting the curl-positive salons that support us, and I especially love it when they’re Canadian. :) Today I’m featuring Mary MacDonald of Gossips Hairstylists in Toronto. The small-world twist is that she’s located in the same neighbourhood where my dad worked for years. Too bad they didn’t overlap, eh? My dad could have gone there when he ran out of his precious Confident Coils. :-) Ok, let’s get on with the interview, eh?

How long have you been in business?

I’ve been in the business for just over 31 years, owned the first Gossips Hairstylists Inc. from 1987-1995, and then wanted to just rent a chair so I could concentrate solely on honing my craft!

I opened up this incarnation of Gossips Hairstylists Inc. last August 2012 by popular demand from all of my wonderful clients!

Where are you located?

I am at 3037 Dundas Street West,

Dundas and High Park,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

What made you go into the hair business?

It wasn’t anything I consciously thought of, believe it or not. I accidentally stumbled into the business!

I had quit my job as a manger in a huge retail chain at the ripe age of 19 after working with them for four years. I wanted to just go out and try anything and see where it led me. There was a recession at that time, so the very few ads for jobs were shrouded in mystery. You had no idea what you were applying for, nor to whom you were sending your resume!