By Sue Moore
“We still use the phone as I like that kind of personalized service,” says Jackie (Fryling) Stevens, manager of J&J Hair Design. But their new computer booking system appeals to the younger generation and those who want to make a last minute reservation. It’s easy to look up the available times that each stylist has open and then book, Stevens explains.
The new site shows each stylist, their prices and length of time it will take for various services, along with openings available for each person in the shop. There are five self-employed stylists who offer manicures and pedicures and one certified massage therapist.
“It all comes down to making a customer feel that they are the most important person in the world by caring and listening. It’s all about them. Of course you have to be a really good hairdresser but if you don’t have the first part, you don’t get to the second part,” Stevens says.
“If you want to become a stylist, you better love doing hair as there are no benefits and it takes at least a year or two before you can make any kind of money,” Stevens says after over twenty five years in the business. She had a job working for her father, Jack Fryling, laying concrete blocks, just out of high school and never dreamed of going to beauty school. One day, one of his workers started swearing like a trooper, and Jack fired his daughter on the spot, so she wouldn’t have to listen to that kind of language. That was a ‘what now’ moment. The family was known for its singing ability and yet she didn’t see a future there so it was off to start a whole new career.
The salon site is at www.jjhairdesigns.fullslate.com. The hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are located at 625 W. Prairie St., Vicksburg with plenty of parking just to the east of the building.