Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Owens and Jessica Ronning. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Jessica and Michael first met at cosmetology school 11 years ago, Jessica was Michael’s instructor there. The school was sold and Jessica went back to the salon full time where she worked for Ross the Boss for 25 years.
She was in charge of the new hire program there and she travels all over the country teaching for Keune Haircosmetics. After Michael finished school he opened a salon in Farragut and was there for 6 years. Michael left the salon life for a job with benefits and insurance but after 3 years he missed doing what he loved. He interviewed at Ross where he was reconnected with Jessica. They not only worked together but started dating. everything was going great then Covid hit and the salon life changed.
it took a toll on salons and stylists. When the salons opened back up after six weeks of being closed, everyone wanted to talk about the virus and the stylist got to hear all sides of people’s thoughts and options (clients and co-workers) and that’s hard in a big salon. And even harder on Jessica being a manager of her location. So one weekend Jessica ran away to Disney World (her happy place) to think and clear her head.
When she came back she told Michael she was tired, tired of managing other people, tired of the drama, tired of not feeling appreciated. Michael told her, “baby, it’s time for you to move your own mountains and not someone else’s” and I already have the perfect name… Beauty and the Beard!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a whirlwind of five weeks. But in the BEST way. We left two weeks earlier than planned. We had a vacation planned to start October 9th and decided we’d work at Ross till then and have a full week to set up and get ready. In-salon life, you do not work out a two-week notice so when the cat got out of the bag on Monday, September 27th. that was our last day at Ross, so instead of 2 weeks to get things together and a full week of setup time, we had overnight. We met with Ross to quit around 3:30 that day and left his office a little after 4.
Michael called Suzanne (owner of Saah Salon Suites) and said “so can we start earlier than Oct 9th?” She said sure, how early? He said, “Oh, like tomorrow! We went and picked up our stuff at Ross, got to Saah at 5:05 (they asked us to be there by 5 to get our keys), started unpacking when Jessica first client of the next day called. She wanted to know if Jessica was alright because she just got a call that she was no longer at Ross. So we posted on social media our new journey that was starting the next day. Went to Sallys with 20 mins to spare to pick up towels, capes, foils, gloves, and barricade. Got home and packed up the Keune color and products at the house (luckily with Jessica working for Keune we had enough to get us through that first week).
We started at 10 am on Tue September the 28th and didn’t miss a beat. I truly believe everything happens for a reason. The things that happened leading up to that caused Jessica to make the decision to leave a company she’d worked at for 25 years, then things happened that caused us to be done 2 weeks earlier than planned. We have been at OUR new place for 5 weeks and it’s been more amazing than we could have imagined!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Once upon a time, there were 2 hairstylists…
Jessica Ronning has been in the industry for over 25 years and loves her job about as much as she loves Disney. As an educator for Keune, she travels all over the country to share her passion. She is an American Board and Keune Certified Haircolorist and is also certified in Hotheads extension and Brazilian Blowout. She loves finding the right cut for every client, and, if you find your Prince Charming, she can do your wedding hair.
Michael Owens loves doing hair almost as much as he loves Jessica… almost! He’s been in the industry for over 11 years. Michael gives every guest a detailed consultation to give them the cut, color, and style that makes them look and feel amazing, and to help them express themselves through their hair. He enjoys learning new techniques, experimenting, and keeping himself up to date with current trends. Michael is certified in Brazilian Blowout and he’s worked with all types of hair and enjoys doing different haircuts and the process of finding client’s own style.
Beauty and the Beard use Keune color and products, which have been around since 1922. We customize your shampoo/conditioner with our Keune You for your hair needs. So what are you waiting for? Let’s find your perfect style and give you your Happily Ever After.
What makes you happy?
Doing hair and making other people happy is one of the biggest things that make us happy.
Disney World and everything Disney makes Jessica happy, she has an annual pass the Disney World and goes at least six times a year. Michael makes her pretty happy also… lol.
Making music is one of the things that makes Michael happy. He also loves Disney but probably not quite as much as Jessica does… lol. Jessica is the main thing that makes him happy!
Contact Info:
- Email: jesronning@gmail.com mycalowens@gmail.com
- Facebook: @bandbknox
- Twitter: @bandbknox
Mary
December 3, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Jessica has been doing my hair for 25 years. I had tried others stylist, but none got my hair like I wanted it. She is the best , she will listen to what say and works at getting you a cut ,color or what you want.