Meet Jenna Styles | Founder of The Hair Extension Bar and Vue Extensions

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

Hi Jenna, what role has risk played in your life or career?

It’s 2008 and beauty school graduation day. The faculty would usually gather around and say a few kind words about each graduate and after a few students it was my turn. Completely unaware and a little nervous of what might be said, as I’ve never been accused of being any teachers pet, one of the teachers steps forward and looks at me and says, “Jennifer scares me” the room goes silent. I wondered whether to be offended or just play it off and laugh. Every eye in the room is waiting for my response, and just as I’m about to make some sort of gesture to break the silence, she smirks and continues, “…because she is fearless!” Those words would trail blaze the next 20 years of my life.

I believe entrepreneurs stand out because they fear not trying more than they fear failure. Embracing risk can result in huge growth and failure can become a pivot instead of a dead end. Without taking chances life becomes a series of missed opportunities and “what if’s?”

Embracing risk has completely defined my journey in life. Being a young single mom who left an abusive marriage meant that any move to be self employed or run my own business was a huge risk. I dove head first into various ventures, each with its own risks and failures but always believing that fortune favored the bold. A pivotal moment came after a serious illness in 2019 and then immediately followed by the the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of circumstances that could have been a setback instead became the catalyst for The Hair Extension Bar. Launching this venture demanded significant investments and a willingness to face an unpredictable market head-on.

If you want a more in depth look into this story lets start here: Before the world was hit by the unexpected challenges of COVID-19, my partner and I had spent years designing, planning, creating, working with contractors and attorneys to create a new concept salon and an app to coincide with. After investing a lot of money and countless hours, we finally scouted out our dream location and after almost a year of negotiating we secured the rights to lease it. On signing day our main investor was forced to back out due to financial constraints caused by the COVID-19 crisis, leaving us in a state of shock, uncertainty and quite honestly just completely devastated.

After two years of unpaid hard work on top of our normal jobs our dreams suddenly were shattered with one single phone call. It was a moment that made me question everything. At that point we felt we had no choice but to walk away from the dream we had so relentlessly been building for years.

Months later, after we had licked our wounds, I stumbled upon an empty shop. It had previously housed a blow-dry salon, and suddenly, inspiration struck. Why not create a salon concept that focused on hair extensions; a passion I had already been investing in and stayed passionate about for decades. There was a hole in the market where this concept did not exist and I knew I was just the person to bring it to life!

In June of 2021 we were finally able to sign our lease for the exact location we were forced to walk away from just a year prior. We officially opened our doors and took our first client Sept 22, 2022. We started with a soft launch as this concept was new and we wanted to be sure we worked out any kinks before overwhelming our staff and resources. July 22, 2023 we officially had our grand opening and have just surpassed our first year open successfully!

My goal is to continue to grow The Hair Extension Bar into multiple locations country wide. We also plan to provide certification training to stylists and cosmetology students outside of just our extension bar employees and supply quality hair extensions to other stylists for their clientele as well. We are so excited to share this journey and have already begun looking into location number two!!

What should our readers know about your business?

Hi! My name is Jennifer Simpson but most know me as Jenna Styles today. I am a 41-year-old San Diego almost-native. I was born in Georgetown, Texas, but my family moved here when I was 3 months old so I identify as a Cali girl, but you can catch me in my car singing Willie Nelson or ’90s country from time to time.

As an only child creativity and imagination were my best friends and the love of creating led me to my passion in the beauty industry.

Ladies, you know It doesn’t matter how good your outfit is or how expensive your purse was, if your hair doesn’t look good nothing seems to work! So I found a way to combine my passion with building my self esteem through creating the perfect hair styles, 9 times out of 10, hair extensions were the reason for that confidence boost.

Fast forward two decades later and I find myself on a mission to provide that very same feeling to others.

With 40% of us experiencing hair loss by the age of 40, and 80% by age 65, The Hair Extension Bar’s mission is to be a source of knowledge and skill. We are not just giving women their dream hair but supporting and helping them navigate the challenges of their hair insecurities and find their path to self-confidence and healing.

I have heard so many stories from women saying that their new hair has helped them reclaim their life back in ways I could have never imagined. Several clients have said their marriages were reignited simply by giving them the confidence they had lacked prior to their services, therefore, igniting a spark again, if you know what I mean (wink wink). Sadly I have talked with so many mothers that don’t want to be in pictures or take videos with their children or families and now with their dream hair feel proud to have those precious moments captured. And lastly a teenage girl recovering from cancer who just wanted to feel like she wasn’t sick anymore now has a full head of hair that helps bring her back to the days before her diagnosis. It’s examples like these that drive this company and fuel our fire.

The Hair Extension Bar stands on three pillars:

1. Providing a luxury experience with quality hair extensions that are accessible and affordable.

2. Creating stylists that are masters of their craft who can support customers on their journey to regaining confidence.

3. Cultivating a culture of support and knowledge for both stylists and consumers.

Our goal is to expand The Hair Extension Bar furthering our mission. We want to empower clients and stylists.

I think it’s important to have two mission statements, one for your consumer so they know you are and are capable and one for your employees. Inspiring your team to believe in your mission is invaluable. Reflecting on my journey my biggest piece of advice is to have hands-on experience in every aspect of your business. Understanding the uniqueness of each role enables you to empathize with your team and appreciate the knowledge required to excel in each of their titles.

In my own businesses I have taken on such roles as stylist, manager, accountant, web designer, marketing, advertising, photographer, videographer, bookkeeper, receptionist, cleaner, assistant, handyman, designer and so much more. Each time I stepped into one of these positions it has provided me with a deeper understanding, appreciation and respect for the challenges faced by my team members. I only now comprehend why managers restricted certain shift changes, why owners set particular pay strategies in place and the full weight of ownership. At the end of the day, this is your business, and it is no one else’s sole responsibility to make it succeed but your own. If something is wrong internally, it starts with you! Your team cannot succeed if you have not set them up for it.

Happy employees will lead to satisfied customers. A grateful and empowered team is the cornerstone of a successful business. Continue to learn how differently people work, and don’t forget to give words of affirmation along with the actions of appreciation to back it up. Be sure to check yourself and not be too proud to accept different perspectives and implement new ideas even if they were not your own.

Lastly, surround yourself with a trusted inner circle who can offer honest and constructive feedback to help keep you grounded.

Strive to perfect your business from the inside out, starting with your employees, as they are the driving force to your business.

The sky is the limit, never fear that glass ceiling.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

As a business owner in the thick of it I don’t find much time to get out right now but when I do I trust my “it” girl Brit to tell me all the hot spots that are worth leaving my work bubble for. But, of course, the first thing on the itinerary no matter what type of day or weekend trip we’re having would be to stop by The Hair Extension bar for a relaxing scalp treatment followed by a shampoo blow dry and style with curls that I know will last us the entire week. To complete the perfect start to our weekend we would have to make a stop at the great and locally born business right down the street that can not be missed, our Starbis replacement, Better Buzz for their The Best Drink Ever, no really that’s what it’s called. The weekend in San Diego would depend on who I’m with: a family fun weekend, a couples getaway or a girls weekend.

For a family weekend there is one spot that comes to mind in particular that embodies what the euphoric idea of San Diego might look like to non-locals and that is Coronado. We will actually be doing a collaborative photoshoot there next week for Vue Extensions, The Hair Extension Bar and a local favorite Swirl Boutique. Be sure to keep a look out the next few months for our New Year campaign on Instagram and Tik Tok! Besides the amazing beaches the Hotel Del Coronado is a must see because of it’s history and the feeling of the architecture to me, feels like I’m on the Titanic and like I’ve been transported back in time. They have some delicous food at their breathtaking restaurants including the Sundecks and Surea. We just had our Christmas Holiday Party there in their igloos on the beach where you are served dinner and toast s’mores in your own private fire pit, it was the ultimate Christmas feels. Lastly, for the holidays you can grab a hot coffee or hot chocolate at ECO and walk down to an elaborate display of decorations and the ice skating rink right on the Beach. It’s the ultimate Christmas in San Diego vibe. The beachside ice skating experience where you can literally ice skate with the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean is a must start tradition for any family. Del Mar is another one of my most favorite spots. My family has had a time-share there since I was in grade school and every big event in my life I swear has either been at the Wave Crest Resort or Lauberge where I married my husband and my parents recently had their 40th anniversary vow renewal. Another great family spot would be the Botanical Gardens in Encinitas. This time of year they offer a light show lightscape from November 17th to January 1st. It’s so special because it’s a 1 mile of 1 million lights and this art is designed by artist from all over the world. This is an event you have to pay for but the experience is wonderful so get tickets early!

For a Weekend with friends or a couple’s retreat a full day must be dedicated to Catalina. A one hour boat trip will take you to the beautiful Catalina Island, off the Southern California coast, Avalon is the island’s main city. You can enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking, zip-lining, snorkeling, and kayaking, or relax at Descanso Beach Club. You can rent a golf cart or an electric bike and visit the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden for nature enthusiasts, or head to Two Harbors for a more rustic experience. You don’t want to miss the unique undersea tour to explore the marine life and Bird Park provides a serene picnic spot with panoramic views. If boat trips aren’t your cup of tea you can head back to Del Mar where nature loving friends will find solace at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, which is a pristine wilderness with rare Torrey pine trees and scenic hiking trails overlooking the Pacific coastline. It’s away from the crowds, making them must-visit destinations for your friends wanting a more relaxed connection with the city. Some might call me a hike snob because my favorite hikes have an ocean view and this one does not disappoint. Sunset Cliffs of La Jolla Torey Pines can elevate your level of skill for hiking while still enjoying the ocean breeze, but beware! One of the exits from this hike can lead you to Blacks Beach and unless nude beaches are your thing, you might not like some of the views there. Del Mar also has a dog beach and you can find great dining at Brigatine which is a local spot known for it’s scrumptious fish tacos. I can’t forget to mention the Monarch with its amazing views where you can also eat on the rooftop and enjoy Kini Koffee, play ping pong and enjoy lots of lounge chair seating where you can wrap yourself up in a blanket and enjoy the sunset and great conversations with your friends or one-on-one time with your significant other.

For a girls trips I recommend Temecula because it’s just an hour drive away. There you will find multiple wineries with different wine tours and the area is a favorite for wedding venues too. Recently I went on an amazing tour for a friend’s bridal shower where I discovered my favorite drinks are the Wilson Creek Winery slushees. The tour exceeded my expectations and I would love to tour with Toasted Corks through the different wineries again. South Coast Winery has a really nice spa for great massages and treatments. In the evening downtown Temecula has great dance spots like Stampede if you’re into country pop. Down in San Diego you’ll find the food in little Italy is undeniable. Though this is a spot you can also enjoy with family and as a couple, I have enjoyed it for some girl’s only time. Breakfast at Morning Glory is my favorite for their fluffy pancakes and their gorgeous interior designs. For the best dinner ambiance I love Born and Raised for their Wagyu steak. If you also love indie music and pizza places this is also the place for you. There’s also lots of trendy cocktail bars and boutiques to shop at and what girl’s trip would be complete without shopping?

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?

My parents raised a strong and tenacious woman. I’ve never seen any obstacle in life as too hard or any dream unattainable. I have a brilliant, God fearing, humble man as my father backing me up and consistently holding me accountable my entire life. To hear him call me daughter makes me all sorts of proud. My mother has been my rock and kept me grounded but also my air and lifted me up. She can take a normal uneventful day and somehow find a way to make it something special. Thank you (Mom) for smiling and dancing through life, even when I make fun of you for it.

My kids are my biggest motivators and supporters. I wanted to give my kiddos the upbringing I had and no matter how hard things got, wanting the best for them made me the strongest version of myself. Their smiles and laughter were the reason I never gave up and now as adults their gratitude, love and work ethic have proven it was all worth it.

My husband fills in all the things I lack and has never told me my dreams were too big or to slow down. It takes a very special man to be with a woman like me. Lol!

My team is literally the backbone to my business and I would not be where I am without them and their desire to make this dream a reality too. And my OG’s Brooklyn, Delaney, Phaithe and Rachel are the ultimate dream team.

Website: Thehairextensionbar.com (http://thehairextensionbar.com/) and Jennastyles.com (http://jennastyles.com/)

Instagram: @Jennastylesofficial and @the.hairextensionbar

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-styles-0426bb28b (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-styles-0426bb28b)

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Jennastyles?si=xRTSiAfTMdElEUJ6 (https://youtube.com/@Jennastyles?si=xRTSiAfTMdElEUJ6)

Image Credits
@hannahsessionsphotography