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

Hi Jennifer, how do you think about risk?
I used to be afraid to take a risk! But every time I do it ends up launching me into bettering myself and advancing my life and career. I grew up in the PNW and thought I’d live there forever. Especially as a hairstylist, building a clientele is hard work and once you build it makes it hard to leave. But after a devastating breakup at the age of 26 I decided I needed a change. I knew I wanted to live in a warmer climate, so I looked at the southern states, California was too expensive, Arizona is just desert, New Mexico is pretty but it wasn’t calling to me. So I looked at Texas, and where else would it pay to be a hairstylist other than where the term Dallas Blonde was coined! So I visited and decided to move. It made me appreciate what I had back home but also made me grow into the person I always felt like I was, but for some reason living in the PNW was holding me back from becoming that person. Over the last 6.5 years here I have grown my clientele and got into education. I became and educator for a couple large hair companies and taught at a salon in Dallas, I love watching the “a-ha” moment on stylists faces. Teaching was a risk for me because I didn’t want to get up in front of people and forget what I was supposed to say! All of these risks were the ladder for my biggest risk yet, opening my own hair salon. Its a whole other level of responsibility and so much learning! You have multiple hats, but the biggest thing I’ve learned is to delegate and not try to do everything myself. I have an amazing group of stylists and salon manager that I trust. Being a business owner makes you take a step back from looking at yourself and looking at the group of people you work with, looking at everyones strengths and how to help them use those strengths. While also looking at areas where people are lacking and helping them to become aware while nudging them to work on themselves. I would say opening a salon has been my biggest risk to date, but also the most rewarding in a personal sense!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I recently opened Republic Hair Co., an upscale hair salon located in Dallas. I wanted to open a salon where everyone with all hair textures could walk through the doors and know that they could trust there was a stylist for them! We have an amazing group of stylists that keep up on trends and education to be able to help every guest achieve the hair of their dreams. When I opened Republic Hair Co. I wanted to have a salon where stylists felt like they could be themselves, and clients could come and relax! I think you can feel the vibe of a business the second you walk in, and at Republic Hair Co you can definitely feel the positive upbeat vibes right after you walk off the elevator.

Opening a business was not easy, and no matter how prepared you think you are there will always be curve balls thrown at you! When this happens you just have to learn to pivot and come up with a new plan. The biggest lesson I learned is that you can’t control the outcome. I want the world to know that I strive to make this salon a place where everyone feels comfortable, from the guests who walk through the door for services, to the stylists that are wanting to build their career and grow with a like minded group of people!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely take them to Bishop Arts District to do a little shopping and snacking, and if the weather is nice then I would recommend going to the Dallas Arboretum. And of course out of towners always think Texas is cowboy hats and horses, so we would have to go to Fort Worth for the day and go to the Stockyards.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family that has always supported my crazy dreams, the team at Republic Hair Co who encourage me to be on top of my game, my clients who have followed me along this journey, and of course my boyfriend who has always believed in me!

Website: https://republichairco.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbyjencahill/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/republichairco

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBAUqmDvxTANM4CP6JZch8A

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