Advertise on podcast: The Curly Girl's Obsessions

In this episode of The Curly Girl's Obsessions podcast, hairstylist Jennifer Johnson shares a speech she delivered at Beauty Riot Voices, an event in Chicago for beauty professionals. The event, organized by a hairstylist from Detroit and her client, aimed to help people in the beauty industry become more professional and grow their businesses, and it included a finance speaker on business growth. Jennifer, who spoke to about 50 hair professionals and several industry leaders within a five-minute time slot (which she slightly exceeded), frames her talk around four words that have guided her career: "This won't be me." She traces her story from childhood in a car with a view of the road through a hole in the floor, through her hair school days in 1991, to her early career success and later growth as a curly hair specialist and hair extension artist. Her central message is that meaningful change requires personal responsibility, consistent effort, and treating goals as plans rather than wishes. The episode closes with Jennifer reflecting on the speech, reiterating her "one foot in front of the other" mantra, and inviting listeners to follow her on social media and subscribe to the podcast.

What does it take to turn fear into strength, shift from a scarcity mindset to abundance, and build a business that feels like the kind of place you’ve always wanted to work? In this episode, Jennifer takes us behind the chair and into her world, sharing lessons from 35 years in the hairstyling industry and nearly 13 years as a salon owner, a journey filled with growth, unexpected challenges, and plenty of reasons to keep learning. Fresh off teaching her first hair extension installation class to a group of new stylists, Jennifer reflects on what it means to be humbled by your own craft, why she believes you should never stop being a student, and how she built the close-knit salon team she once wished she could be part of. She also shares the simple but powerful reminder that shifted her perspective: “Everything that is for you will never miss you.” It’s a conversation about trusting the journey, releasing the need to control every outcome, and having faith that what’s meant for you will find its way to you. Then, Jennifer finally shares a deeply personal story she promised to tell weeks earlier: how she faced her lifelong fear of public speaking to deliver a eulogy at her stepfather’s funeral while seven months pregnant. With her heart racing and her family counting on her, she discovered that courage doesn’t mean being fearless, it means finding the strength to show up when it matters most. Plus, Jennifer shares why she believes you should scare yourself a little every day, how she sets ambitious goals for the year ahead, and her very honest take on managing it all (spoiler: she thrives on chaos). Pull up a chair in Jennifer’s kitchen, where the conversation is real, the dishwasher might be running, and dog toys are part of the scenery. This is a reminder to keep growing, embrace the unexpected, and trust that you don’t have to have everything figured out to move toward the life and business you’re meant to build.

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Johnson Janisch, owner of Adored Salon and Adored Signature Hair, for a fascinating deep dive into why hair extensions became the game-changing business opportunity of her career. What started as a personal need for extra income while raising four children turned into a discovery that would reshape her entire approach to the beauty business - and Jennifer is here to share every detail of the math, the mindset, and the marketing behind it. Jennifer breaks down her foundational "$10,000 to $80,000 formula," showing how just 13 extension clients can generate $80,000 in annual service dollars. From there, she scales the numbers: 48 extension clients working just 4 days per week can yield approximately $283,000–$299,800 annually - especially when you add the premium that comes with curly hair specialization. Her core philosophy is simple but powerful: doing 2 extension clients a day ($1,300 in service dollars) takes the same effort as doing 13 haircuts at $100 each. It's the difference between chasing 100 pennies and collecting 4 quarters. But this episode isn't just about numbers. Jennifer takes us back to the early 2000s when extensions were a "hush-hush secret" - long before MTV's Jersey Shore brought them into the mainstream - and shares her hard-earned lessons, including the 9 months it took to land her first paying client and why extension clients are the "hardest clients" you'll ever serve. She also gets real about social media, explaining why a beautiful feed alone won't attract high-ticket clients, and reveals the strategic marketing tactics (like targeting med spas and plastic surgeon offices) that built her book of business.

Welcome back to the show! Today's episode is a truly special one. I'm sitting down with the one and only Ouidad - the "Queen of Curls" herself - a woman whose name has become synonymous with curly hair care, but who is so much more than a brand on a shelf. In this conversation, Ouidad shares her remarkable life story: her family's journey from Beirut, Lebanon to New York in the late 1960s, learning English at a vocational high school in Rhode Island, and working her way through Broadway, film, and fashion as the go-to "curl girl" when no one else in the industry understood curly hair. You'll hear about the moment she and her husband Peter flipped a coin to decide between opening a salon or a restaurant - a coin toss that changed the curly hair world forever. She walks us through the early days of opening a curly-hair-only salon in Manhattan in 1984, when banks refused to lend, when the industry insisted curly hair didn't even exist, and when Peter stood on the streets in his one Armani suit hand-delivering flyers to women with curls. We also dive into her product philosophy - built from the inside out, water-soluble, and never suffocating the hair - the creation of her signature Carve & Slice cutting technique, her legendary mentorship of stylists, and her current chapter of "giving forward." This one is full of heart, grit, and curly hair wisdom. Trust me - you could listen to her for hours, just like I did. Let's get into it!

In this powerful episode of "Curly Girls Obsessions," host Jennifer Johnson takes listeners on a deeply personal journey that highlights the detrimental effects of ego in both professional and personal arenas. Reflecting on a traumatic experience where her 17-year-old daughter suffered a compound fracture during a flag football game, Jennifer sheds light on how one surgeon's inflated ego and unprofessional behavior led to catastrophic communication breakdowns, significantly impacting her daughter's post-operative care and pain management. Jennifer recounts the harrowing details of the incident - the emergency transport to a trauma hospital and the surgical procedures that followed. However, the real tragedy unfolds through the surgeon's public humiliation of an anesthesiologist, creating a toxic environment where respect and clear communication were lost. This pivotal moment serves as a striking reminder that egos, especially in high-stakes situations, can compromise not only individual dignity but also the quality of care provided to patients. Drawing parallels to the beauty industry, Jennifer emphasizes the importance of humility and respect among colleagues. She advocates for workplaces built on kindness and mutual respect, sharing her own philosophy derived from the TV show "Cheers," where everyone is valued equally. Listeners will resonate with her insights on how treating all team members with dignity reflects positively on the overall client experience and team dynamics. Join Jennifer as she challenges outdated notions of ego-driven leadership and encourages listeners to cultivate empathy in their daily interactions. With compelling anecdotes and a heartfelt call to action, this episode urges everyone to recognize the power of kindness and to advocate for respectful treatment in all areas of life. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that illustrates the foundation of successful relationships and long-term professional success. Share this episode with friends and family who may benefit from this essential message.

In this episode of The Curly Girls Obsessions podcast, host Jennifer interviews Mia, a stylist who recently completed training programs at Adored Hair Extensions and Salon. The conversation centers on Mia's educational journey through two specialized courses: the Adored Signature Install Methods class (a 3-day intensive program covering hair extension installation techniques) completed in March, and a one-on-one curly hair cutting certification class completed a week prior to the recording. Jennifer and Mia discuss the comprehensive pre-training materials, the value of small class sizes, specific technical skills learned, the challenges overcome during training, and the financial investment versus return on investment for these specialized education programs. The episode emphasizes how proper education, hands-on instruction, and mentorship can transform a stylist's career trajectory and earning potential within just eight months.

In this episode of The Curly Girl’s Obsessions, Jennifer sits down with Suri, a fellow hair extension professional, for an honest conversation about private label hair, ethical sourcing, and what extension stylists should know before choosing a hair company. Jennifer and Suri share their real-world experiences working with hair extensions and discuss why the hair behind the brand matters just as much as the brand itself. They talk about what happens behind the scenes with private label hair, how stylists can evaluate the quality and sourcing of extension hair, and why choosing an extension company shouldn't be based solely on branding, packaging, or price. Jennifer also shares her experience building Adored Hair Extensions and why she believes stylists deserve more transparency when investing in extension hair for their businesses and clients. In this episode, Jennifer and Suri discuss: What private label hair actually means What stylists should look for when choosing an extension company Ethical hair sourcing and why it matters The difference between marketing a product and understanding the hair itself Why texture matters, especially when working with curly-haired clients The challenges stylists can face when purchasing extension hair What questions to ask before committing to a hair extension brand Why education and product knowledge go hand in hand Jennifer's experience developing Adored Hair Extensions What extension stylists need to consider before investing in private label hair This conversation is especially valuable for hair extension stylists, salon owners, curly hair specialists, and hairstylists considering adding extensions to their services. If you're thinking about purchasing extension hair, creating your own private label line, or simply want to better understand what you're actually buying from an extension company, this episode is for you. Listen or watch EP106: The Truth About Private Label Hair: What Extension Stylists Need to Know.

In this raw, unfiltered episode, Jennifer is coming at you straight from her bathroom - no makeup, no glam, just real talk from a 34-year veteran hairstylist who has seen it all. This week, she's breaking down the viral TikTok phenomenon known as "Permgate," the now-infamous saga of an aspiring artist who claims she saved up $200 for a perm, only to have her hair melt off her head. But as Jennifer digs deeper, she reveals why this seemingly straightforward story of salon negligence might not be as simple as social media made it seem - and why the internet mob mentality may have destroyed an innocent person's life over a lie. Jennifer takes you down memory lane to a moment every stylist dreads: the service you knew you shouldn't have done but were forced to do anyway. Flashback to the 1990s, when perms were all the rage and salon owners would never let you say no to a client. She recounts the horrifying story of "Sally," a client with chemically fried hair who demanded a perm before a Florida vacation. Against Jennifer's better judgment, the service went forward - and the perm rods fell out with chunks of Sally's hair attached. It was a disaster that could have ruined Jennifer's career, but instead became a defining lesson in knowing your craft, trusting your instincts, and understanding that some clients refuse to be saved from themselves. But here's where Permgate gets juicy. Jennifer breaks down the forensic details that the TikTok deep-divers uncovered: the client claimed she hadn't had lightener on her hair in 10 years, but social media sleuths found photos of her with highlights as recent as 2024. Meanwhile, celebrity stylists swooped in to "rescue" the girl with a dramatic transformation - cutting off 12 inches, adding K-tips, and cashing in on the viral fame. Jennifer's verdict? The whole thing stinks of opportunism, from the client who lied about her hair history to the influencers who used her tragedy for clout. The salon owner, the brand-new stylist, and a small business were torn apart by hundreds of fake Google reviews from people who had nothing to do with the situation. And now, the girl who caused it all is walking away with free, expensive hair extensions and fame she never deserved. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the beauty industry, anyone who's ever been canceled by the internet, or anyone who just loves a good messy drama with a side of professional tea. Jennifer pulls no punches as she calls out the double standards of social media justice, the cowardice of stylists who cave to client demands, and the absolute importance of being honest with your hairdresser - because your hair's history is the difference between a great curl and a chemical catastrophe. Tune in for the cautionary tale, stay for the brutal honesty, and get ready to think twice before you ever jump on a viral hate train again.

Jennifer Janisch, founder of The Curly Girl's Obsessions, discusses the pricing structure and value proposition of her hand-tied hair extension education programs in the context of a challenging economy. Rather than discounting her services like many educators in the hair industry, Jennifer has increased her prices and added significant value through included materials, mentorship opportunities, and real-world business training. The episode evolves beyond just discussing education costs to address broader business principles for salon owners, using a compelling case study of a $6,390 hair extension installation to illustrate how premium, specialized services can command high prices when executed with excellence. Jennifer emphasizes that her education teaches not just technical skills but also business acumen, positioning students to build lucrative careers as extension specialists.

In this episode of The Curly Girl's Obsessions, Jennifer, a seasoned hairstylist with 36 years in the industry - 20 of them dedicated to extensions and curly hair - gives listeners an unfiltered, passionate masterclass on hair extensions. She introduces Adored Signature, a premium hand-tied extension line she created out of frustration with the industry's quality and business practices. Jennifer breaks down why hair sourcing matters more than most clients realize, comparing Indian temple-sourced hair (minimally processed, cuticle-intact) with Chinese hair (chemically stripped, lightened, colored, and silicone-coated). The episode makes one thing clear: not all hair is created equal, and the chemical shortcuts used in Chinese processing create long-term headaches for stylists and damage for clients. Jennifer closes with a call for better education and a reality check on the "resurgence" of K-tips, which she calls an old trend that returns every few years - one that requires three times the work for one-third of the income. Her knuckles, worn from years of K-tip rolling, serve as a physical reminder of the method's toll. This episode is a must-listen for hairstylists, salon owners, and anyone considering extensions - whether you're a curly hair specialist or a straight-hair enthusiast, Jenny's expertise and candor will change how you think about extensions forever.

In this week’s episode of The Curly Girl’s Obsessions, host Jennifer takes us on an unexpected but deeply personal journey - sparked by a three-hour Greek mythology film, "The Odyssey," that she watched with her husband Brad. What began as a battle against sleep after a long workday turned into a powerful reflection on life, faith, and the quiet courage it takes to keep moving forward. Jennifer unpacks the film’s central mantra, “God helps those who help themselves,” and weaves it into her own experiences as a salon owner, mentor, wife, and self-proclaimed risk-taker (who is terrified of heights). If you’ve ever felt stuck, scared, or unsure whether your efforts are enough, this episode is your reminder that the journey matters as much as the destination. Jennifer gets real about the contradictions we all carry. She admits to a severe, worsening fear of heights - yet she’s built a career on bold business and financial risks. She explains the difference: taking risks in business isn’t about blind faith; it’s about rolling up your sleeves and working to make those risks pay off. She also shares a vulnerable story from a treacherous mountain road in Nashville, where she had to physically get out of the car and trust Brad to navigate - a literal act of faith in action. That moment becomes a metaphor for her leadership style: she doesn’t dictate answers to her team. Instead, she asks guiding questions, letting them discover solutions for themselves. Because growth doesn’t come from being handed the answer - it comes from figuring it out, failing, and learning in the process. The episode also tackles the hard truth about failure. Jennifer’s advice? The first 60 to 90 seconds after a setback are the hardest - but if you sit with it, you’ll find the lesson. Failure is never the end; it’s just a data point for your next move. And she gets honest about self-care, too. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Just like the airplane oxygen mask rule, you have to help yourself first before you can truly help anyone else. Using Odysseus’s journey as a mirror for daily life, Jennifer reminds us that the islands and monsters we face are just everyday stressors - and those who keep their faith, stay consistent, and take one step at a time are the ones who eventually make it home. Tune in for a heartfelt, no-nonsense conversation about resilience, leadership, and the power of showing up for yourself. Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs a little extra courage, and follow The Curly Girl’s Obsessions on social media. Jennifer is also heading off for a two-week family vacation - so let this episode be your reminder to take time to recharge, too. See you on the next adventure!

Welcome back to The Curly Girl’s Obsessions Podcast! This week, we’re sitting down with Jennifer Janisch - owner of Adored Salon in Chicago and your curly hair authority - to unpack a game-changing marketing breakthrough. After years of relying on Google, Facebook, and Instagram, Jennifer discovered that TikTok isn’t just for dance trends; it’s a goldmine for service-based businesses. In just six weeks, she landed 24 new clients and grew her following from under 300 to over 2,000. How? A laser-focused strategy built on “curl reveals,” consistent posting, and a willingness to embrace repetition. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to attract clients through social media, this episode is your roadmap. Jennifer walks us through the exact content that went viral - spoiler: it’s not the technical cutting tricks, but the magical moment when the gel cast breaks and curls spring to life. She explains why TikTok’s algorithm rewards educational, longer-form content (unlike Instagram’s thirst for aesthetics) and how her daughter’s editing skills turned raw footage into compelling stories. Plus, she shares the “rinse and repeat” strategy she initially resisted: putting “naturally curly hair” in the first sentence of every caption and the first five seconds of every video. The result? A steady stream of bookings, from cut-and-styles to high-ticket curly hair extension installations. But it’s not just about clients - Jennifer also reveals how TikTok comments became her content focus group, how mentioning her Chicago location attracted out-of-town travelers, and how she launched a secondary revenue stream with $100 online styling tutorials. Whether you’re a hairstylist, a solopreneur, or any service provider, this episode will convince you that TikTok is no longer optional. Tune in to hear how vulnerability, niche focus, and a little help from a tech-savvy teen can transform your business. Press play now - your next client might be one video away.

In this deeply personal episode of The Curly Girl's Obsessions, Jennifer gets real about the toll that running a business - and holding space for your team - can take on your body and soul. After three beloved stylists left her salon in quick succession, Jennifer found herself grappling with more than just a staffing shortage. She developed persistent shoulder and neck pain that wouldn’t go away, even after a long road trip. What she eventually uncovered was a powerful reminder that our bodies often keep score of the stress we think we’re managing just fine. Jennifer opens up about the emotional weight of losing Alyssa, a stylist who had been with her for years, as well as two others who left to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams. While she fully supported their decisions, the grief of their absence - especially Alyssa’s consistent, bright energy - was heavier than she expected. Jennifer reflects on the reality of hustle culture for business owners, pushing back against the idea that you can simply “avoid burnout” while pouring into every aspect of your salon, your team, and your clients. She shares how the months leading up to Alyssa’s move to Arizona created a slow-burn tension that finally surfaced as physical pain. This episode also dives into Jennifer’s philosophy on curly hair cutting - why she stands by her 16-year-old wet-cutting methods despite trendy social media styles - and the challenges of mentoring stylists who eventually fly the nest. Through it all, Jennifer discovers that acknowledging the source of her pain - both emotional and physical - is the first step toward healing. Whether you’re a business owner, a curly hair enthusiast, or someone navigating a season of change, this conversation is a raw, honest look at what it means to grow through the hard stuff and come out the other side.

Jennifer Janisch, founder of Adored Salon and Adored Signature Hand Tied Hair Extensions, shares an in-depth exploration of her business growth strategies and social media marketing tactics developed over 13 years of entrepreneurship. Broadcasting from her bathroom - her personal decompression space - Jennifer reveals how she has evolved from relying solely on word-of-mouth and local networking to building a global brand that attracts clients from around the world through strategic social media presence, niche specialization in curly hair services, and authentic storytelling. She emphasizes that the foundation of her success lies in understanding her unique value proposition, maintaining consistent presence across multiple platforms, and dedicating intentional time to marketing herself as her own best brand ambassador. The podcast serves as both a motivational message to aspiring hairstylists and entrepreneurs and a practical masterclass in modern business growth strategies.

In this solo episode, Jennifer from The Curly Girl's Obsessions discusses her journey of overcoming the "cringe" feeling associated with putting herself out there as a professional and entrepreneur. After reflecting on recent episodes featuring her children, team, and speaking engagements at hair schools, Jennifer pivots to the core message: success requires pushing through uncomfortable moments and taking action on your dreams. She shares her personal evolution from being terrified of public speaking in high school to becoming a confident social media presence, salon owner, and educator who travels nationally teaching curly hair extension classes. Jennifer emphasizes that behind every "overnight success" is years of hard work, and that silently watching audiences often become paying clients and supporters. The episode serves as motivation for hairstylists and entrepreneurs to embrace vulnerability, use social media strategically, and take action on their ideas rather than waiting for success to happen passively.