Role:

Walks around telling stories

Where were you born?

London England

When and why did you become part of this industry?

It was 1979, and I was 16 years old when I walked into a salon in London’s West End, just off Oxford Street, and asked if they were hiring apprentices—known then as "juniors."

The owner looked me up and down before laying it out bluntly: "I am hiring, but it's the lowest rung on the ladder. People will treat you like dirt, the pay is £25 a week—before tax—and it’s the hardest work you’ll ever do."

I started the very next day.

From the moment I stepped through those doors, I realized he hadn’t been exaggerating. The days were long, the work was grueling, and respect was something you earned—slowly. I was sweeping floors, washing endless heads of hair, making tea, and running errands, all while trying to stay out of the way of stylists who had little patience for mistakes.

But despite the exhaustion, I was mesmerized. I watched every cut, every color transformation, and every stylist who commanded a chair with confidence. I soaked it all in, knowing that if I could just survive this stage, I’d get my chance.

Those early years taught me resilience, discipline, and the kind of work ethic that no training manual could ever cover. They shaped the way I approach hairdressing, business, and mentorship to this day.

Looking back, that tough introduction to the industry was exactly what I needed. It built the foundation for everything that came after—every salon I’ve been a part of, every stylist I’ve mentored, and every client whose hair I’ve had the privilege to touch.

What inspires you?

I’m always moved by functional design, it could be a car or it could be a corkscrew, it doesn’t matter.

Anyone that knows me won’t be surprised when I say Taos. I never leave there without a new idea or a new way of thinking about something.

Fantasy dinner date?

Anywhere with JT