Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacquelyn Southall.
Hi Jacquelyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey in the beauty industry started over 14 years ago when I graduated from cosmetology school. A very meaningful part of my journey began with my grandmother, who experienced hair loss due to radiation treatments. I started doing her hair and eventually making wigs for her. Seeing how something as simple as having her hair done could help her feel more like herself showed me that what I did went far beyond hair.
That experience played a big role in my passion for healthy hair, wigs, and extensions. Over the years, I continued growing my skills and eventually built Hair by Jay Southall, a brand focused on helping women look beautiful, feel confident, and have hair options that work for their lives.
More than 14 years later, I’m still growing, learning, and expanding my brand, but the heart behind what I do has remained the same. I want women to feel good about themselves, no matter what season of life they are in.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I’ve built my business while navigating single motherhood, financial ups and downs, and some of the hardest losses of my life. Grief has probably been one of my greatest challenges. I’ve lost several people who were extremely important to me, including my father, my grandparents, and my uncle, who passed away at a young age and played an important role in my life.
There were seasons when simply showing up was an accomplishment. I still had to be a mother, take care of my responsibilities, serve my clients, and continue moving forward while grieving and trying to find myself again.
Being a single mother has also taught me a lot about resilience. Life doesn’t always stop when you are hurting, and there have been times when I’ve had to rebuild financially, emotionally, and personally while still being present for my daughter and continuing to pursue my dreams.
Through it all, I’ve learned that strength doesn’t always look like having everything together. Sometimes strength is getting back up, giving yourself grace, starting over when you need to, and continuing to believe there is still more life ahead of you. The road has not been easy, but every part of it has shaped the woman, mother, and business owner I am today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a licensed cosmetologist and the owner of Hair by Jay Southall. I specialize in healthy hair care, silk presses, sew-ins, extensions, and wigs. I love creating beautiful, low-maintenance styles, but healthy hair will always be at the foundation of what I do. I want my clients to love their style while also knowing that the hair underneath is being cared for.
I’m especially passionate about wigs and alternative hair solutions because that part of my work is personal to me. My experience making wigs for my grandmother during her hair loss showed me how much hair can be connected to a woman’s confidence and sense of self.
What sets me apart is the experience and care I give each client. I want women to feel comfortable in my chair, listened to, and never judged about the condition of their hair. For me, it’s not just about creating a beautiful finished look. It’s about making sure my clients leave feeling better than when they came in.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how my business has grown while still keeping that personal connection at the center. After more than 14 years in this industry, I still genuinely love what I do, and I’m proud that I’ve created a space where women can prioritize themselves, feel beautiful, and know they are being cared for.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t really believe in luck as much as I believe in God, faith, and divine timing. There have been opportunities, clients, and people who came into my life at exactly the right moment, and I truly believe that was God’s hand over my journey.
Even through loss, setbacks, and seasons I didn’t understand, my faith has reminded me that there is purpose in every chapter. I still believe in doing the work, staying prepared, and being consistent, but ultimately, I give God the credit for opening doors I could never have opened on my own.
Pricing:
- Silk Press starting at $80
- Traditional Sew-Ins starting at $140
- Wig Installs starting at $100
- Sew-In + Hair Packages available based on length and texture
- Premium Hair Extensions and Wigs available, with pricing based on length, texture, and customization
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hairbyjaysouthall.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbyjaysouthall/
- Other: https://www.wigsbyjaysouthall.com/
