Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica & Barry Kirksey.
Hi Jessica & Barry , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After 25 years in the beauty industry and 7 years of owning my own salon, life handed me a new path I didn’t expect. Due to a medical diagnosis that made it difficult to continue working on my feet, I had to make the tough decision to step away from doing hair — something that had defined so much of my identity.
But with every closed door, a new one opens.
My husband and I bought a property we now call The Stickseed Inn — or, as we lovingly refer to it, “Stickers Seed.” The name came naturally after our very first day there, when my daughter and three of her friends ran wild through the property and came back absolutely covered in stickseeds from head to toe. It took hours to get them out of their hair, and the name just stuck (literally).
We also love the name because of what stickseeds do — they cling to you, and wherever you go, you carry them with you, spreading them along the way. That’s exactly how we hope our story spreads too — by sticking with people, traveling beyond us, and planting little sparks of inspiration out in the world.
What started as a shift out of necessity has turned into an exciting new chapter filled with construction, storytelling, creativity, and a whole lot of heart. We share the journey on Instagram — from thrifting treasures to planting an entire field of wildflowers, from design inspo to dirt-under-our-nails progress. It’s been messy and magical, and we’re just getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road — but one full of growth, grit, and grace.
One of the biggest challenges has been navigating a medical diagnosis that’s made it increasingly difficult to work on my feet. I’ve spent 25 years in the beauty industry, and while I haven’t fully stepped away from doing hair just yet, I know that time is coming. Letting go of something that’s been such a big part of my identity — the creativity, the connections, the rhythm of salon life — has been emotionally heavy and a little scary.
And starting something completely new like The Stickseed Inn hasn’t exactly been easy, either. We’re building from the ground up in Woodstock Township — a place that’s never had a project like this before. That’s meant facing a lot of red tape, confusion, and slow-moving approvals. Our septic system alone has been one of the biggest hurdles so far — complex, expensive, and a real test of our patience. Barry my husband and I have had the most arguments we have ever had in our entire 17 year relationship lol.
But even with the struggles, we’ve found so much purpose in the process. Every challenge has taught us something new. And we truly believe that even the messiest, most uncertain chapters can lead to something beautiful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Stickseed Inn?
The Stickseed Inn is more than just a set of cabins in the woods — it’s a story in the making, a place built with heart, history, and intention. We’re creating a one-of-a-kind getaway experience tucked into the wild beauty of Woodstock Township, where couples can unplug, reconnect, and slow down in a space that feels both grounded and magical.
Right now, we’re building three small cabins from the ground up, each designed to honor the simplicity of nature while still offering thoughtful details that make a stay feel special — cozy interiors, vintage touches, and peaceful surroundings that invite you to breathe a little deeper.
What sets us apart is that we’re not a big company or a corporate retreat — we’re just a husband and wife chasing a dream with dirt under our nails and a whole lot of heart. Every piece of this project has a story, from the wildflowers we planted ourselves to the furniture we’ve thrifted and collected over time. We’re creating a place where people can come and write their own stories — and we hope those stories stick with them long after they leave.
What does success mean to you?
How do I define success? That’s an interesting question, because right now, we might be the brokest we have ever been — but feel the richest. We are building something we can’t fully see yet, something that exists more in feeling than form, and we are okay with that. It’s like being blindly led into the woods… but somehow knowing we are going to be okay. That’s success in our eyes.
It might not be everyone’s version of success, but for me it’s taught me to trust myself — and that alone feels like a win.
Contact Info:
