Style Hermosa: New Hair in Town

While most young hairstylists have their heart set on making it big in Hollywood, Jessica Small, 27, has found success in Hermosa Beach. And she hasn't looked back, she said.

"I'm blessed that I've met so many people along the way that afforded me the opportunity to be my own boss," said Small who has joined the small group of premier hairstylists at Studio 7 on Pier Avenue this year.

She's come a long way from humble beginnings styling classmates' hair during recess in elementary school, she said, to becoming one of the most sought after hairstylists in town.

Small said that she treasures those early moments when she first developed her skill to style, and love for hair. Often times she would give classmates haircuts that their parents wouldn't approve.

"The kids would have all these awkward styles," Small said. "But hey, nowadays the sideways bangs cut is in. I guess I knew what I was doing back then."

At just 10 years old, Small's love of styling turned from a playground pastime into a potential career. After noticing her prowess and talents in hair design, her father bought her a pair of scissors.

He was her first client, and although she may have made some minor mistakes in cutting his hair, her father was always supportive.

"I know now that I may have screwed his hair up, but back then I had no idea," Small said. "Though it grew in well, he must have gone to someone else to fix it without making me feel bad. Either way, it gave me confidence."

Small started her formal training at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica when she was 16. After she earned her certification, she headed to Juan Juan Salon in Beverly Hills to apply for a job as a stylist.

She was offered a job on the spot. After seven months of assisting, Small got her own chair at the salon and after a few months, became one of the salon's most popular stylists.

"Jess is the best at what she does and brings a unique style to it," said client Tara Hoyt while having her hair colored. "She's so innovative and can go from punky to conservative without breaking a sweat."

It's the personal attention and Small's elephant-like memory that allows her to build relationships with people not only as clients, but also as friends.

"I like my clients to be more than clients," Small said. "Having a personal relationship with a client is something that's important to me."

Despite her success at Juan Juan, Small left the salon in 2009 to specialize in cutting and styling. And she knew then that she wanted to bring her talents to Hermosa Beach.

"I always wanted to be my own boss," she said. "I finally had the clientele and resources to make it happen."

So Small rented space at Studio 7, and works a one-woman operation. She washes hair, sweeps the floor and books appointments — tasks she rarely did before.

Doing this grunt work could easily discourage others with a similar pedigree, Small said, but she added that she knows there are sacrifices to be made when operating as a self-owned stylist.

"It's humbling at times, but I know that if I want to be my own boss, then this is what I have to do," she said while sweeping up a pile of hair. 

Other stylists also may have wilted under the pressures of having to build a new client base in a different neighborhood, but Small has thrived. Instead of losing her Beverly Hills clientele, many stayed loyal and followed her to Hermosa.

"I've been to many stylists over the years, but Jess is the only person I trust with my hair," said Jonathan Kohn, a client Small first met at Juan Juan, who drives from West Hollywood to Hermosa for his hair appointments. "It's always worth it."

Small said that some clients even travel from Sherman Oaks to get their hair styled. "It's amazing that I have clients willing to drive over 90 minutes [in traffic] to get a cut," she said. 

The clients that sit in her chair vary from the unknown to the rich and famous, whom Small wouldn't name for risk of paparazzi knocking on the salon's door. Since her business blossomed, Small is also summoned for house calls. She even spent a week in New York recently to style hair for a bridal party.

"I'm glad to have the support of such great people," Small said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything."

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