Rising Stars: Meet Jaime Phillips of Chapel Hill

Today we’d like to introduce you to jaime phillips

Hi jaime, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was a dancer growing up and studied at UNCSA my last 2 years of high school. I always wanted to move to NY and studied fashion, rather than dance after high school. I worked as a makeup artist for a while before moving to NY. I attended FIT and worked in luxury retail and fashion for several years before going to cosmetology school at Aveda in Soho.

I began my career as a hairstylist at Sally Hershberger in the Meatpacking district of NY, then moved to Arrojo Studio in Soho. My advanced education includes everything from training with Vidal Sassoon and Bumble & Bumble to contemporary companies like Hairstory and Left Brain Group, as well as individual stylists like Jane Matthews and Johnny Ramirez.

When I moved back to my home state in 2008, I worked at a salon in Wilmington for 4 years until I moved back to Chapel Hill and eventually Durham, where I am now. To the Woods opened in January 2014.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Opening a business isn’t always as streamlined as you would like, but overall I have been pleasantly surprised at times with how things can “fall into place”.
Covid was a notable challenge. It was unbelievable the things I had to ask myself as a business owner, boss, and a human that I’d have never considered.
A persistent struggle is to stay true to your brand while growing. I have two amazing partners and we have challenged each other to grow in many different ways over the years. Growth can look very different than just gaining members of your team and getting bigger. It can look like being a good steward of your community, being a good mentor to new generations, striving to create a great work environment, and creating meaningful interactions with clients over many years. Every time we grow as individuals, we put that energy back into the business and we all benefit.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a hairstylist of 20+ years and I specialize in keeping it simple!
It’s amazing what you can bring out in someone’s hair when you “listen” to what it naturally wants to do during a haircut. In my early years, it was all about showing off how I could manipulate the hair, and it was really fun! Now, less is definitely more!
Concerning color, I specialize in highlights and love creating a soft but punch-y version of a client’s natural color. Think of the hair color you had as a kid, that’s often what we want to see!

I’m proud of my ability to see possibilities within the hair, letting the hair reveal to me what’s special about it, and capitalizing on that. Most of all, I want people to feel like themselves, but better, when they leave my chair. Sometimes all you need is a slight update, a nod to a trend, or to add some structure to a cut to create a new look.

What sets me apart is my ability to meet clients where they are in their current “hair journey”, assess their current goals, and devise a low-maintenance plan to ensure lasting results.

We are creating the look that defines the way you want to present yourself to the rest of the world, that’s a huge responsibility.
At least half of the communication that goes on here is non-verbal. You have to truly see people to be able to do that, and I’m really practiced at it.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Running a business is not for the faint of heart! Covid was a huge catalyst for change for us, allowing us to listen to our bodies and minds and see what drives us creatively. We took classes weekly, came back with stronger skills, and developed more expertise. We took time to assess what made us happy, and what didn’t, and make some key adjustments that were integral to continued fulfillment. It reshaped and reinvigorated our brand and refocused our intentions.

Pricing:

• Haircuts $125
• Highlights $300+

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tothewoodssalon.com
• Instagram: @jaime_oneway @salontothewoods