We had the good fortune of connecting with Jody Brinkmeier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jody, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Specializing in curly hair. It changed my entire career and experience behind the chair as a stylist. As soon as I was listed as a specialist on curly websites, my career grew at lightening speed. Before I knew it, I was booked solid for eight months, with a mile long waiting list. As a specialist, I can work with all curl types and textures of hair. This has given me the opportunity to have a more diverse and inclusive clientele. My experience behind the chair shifted and I really started to see the impact that I have in people’s lives. My favorite part of being a curly hair specialist is seeing the tears of joy on someone’s face when they view something about themselves as beautiful for the first time in their life! It’s a powerful and rewarding moment.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a curly hair specialist, who helps people fall in love with and embrace their natural texture. I have been a hair stylist since 1998 and opened my own business, Helix Salon, two years ago. My salon is a small, boutique type studio, where I offer my guests a personalized experience, tailored to their specific needs, while working with them one on one. After 16 years behind the chair, I decided to take a leap of faith and shift my focus to curly hair. I invested heavily in curly education and started traveling throughout the country to train with top industry leaders. Through these classes I learned how to confidently work with all types of curls and textures. As a curly girl myself, I am able to connect with and understand what people have struggled with their entire life. I was a stylist for 10 years before I realized I had curly hair. Realizing that my straight frizzy hair could turn into waves, and with proper care, a full head of curls was life changing. My own story is what ignited my passion and curly hair career. I have created a thorough but simple, hands on experience for my guests, where I really teach them everything they need to know to care for and style their curls at home. My goal is for each of my curly guests to learn to love, care for and embrace their curls, to wear them confidently and inspire others around them to do the same. The love, passion and commitment I put into everything that I do and offer are what has led to my success and has helped so many women and children across Texas and Oklahoma fall in love with their natural texture.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many fun things to do and see here in the metroplex! You can’t visit Texas without going to the stockyards to a rodeo. After the rodeo we head to Billy Bob’s to hear and see some authentic Texas country music, two stepping and line dancing. We go to Sundance Square in Fort Worth and usually stop by Reata for a roof top drink overlooking the city. We head to Dallas to the Sixth Floor Museum and to the George W. Bush Presidential Library. We tour ATT&T Stadium and attend a Rangers Game at Globe Life Field. We like to walk around downtown Grapevine to visit local shops and boutiques. We eat all the Texas food, barbecue, chili, frito pies, chips and queso, tex-mex and chicken fried steak. We visit local breweries, distilleries and wineries. We also love to get outside and enjoy our beautiful parks and trail system in Keller.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am blessed to have the best people in my life who have been so wonderful and supportive of my dreams throughout the years. 
I would like to thank and give a shout out to… My husband, Nate, for unconditionally loving, supporting and believing in me and my career for the past 25 years. My best friend, Lori, who always pushes me to think outside of the box. My family and friends for sharing and celebrating in my success. My beauty school instructor, Cathie Schmerse, who taught and expected professionalism, from the way we look, act and speak. She was tough, but that toughness led to a great work ethic, which has stayed with me throughout my entire career and has played a big role in my success and the success of others that I have passed it on to through mentorship and internships with me. My curl tribe, here locally and throughout the country. We are a tight knit group of specialists. Collectively, we share knowledge and new ideas and support one another. We are not competitors. We are friends with one goal in mind: to change lives by helping people fall in love with their naturally curly hair.

Website: https://www.helixsalontx.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curlsbyjodybrinkmeier/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curlsbyjodybrinkmeier/?ref=bookmarks