Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Fabian.
Hi Jasmine, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from West Michigan, but I moved to Wilmington, NC in 2015, and that’s really when my journey as a hairstylist began to take shape. In 2016, I took my first continuing education class focused on cutting and styling naturally curly hair. Even though I have curly hair myself, I didn’t know much about how to actually care for or style it properly. So I started practicing on myself. As my curls got healthier and more defined, people started noticing, clients, strangers, even friends would ask what I was doing or who did my hair.
That curiosity sparked something in me. I began diving deeper into curl education and realized how underserved this space was. Over time, I made it my mission to offer the kind of care and expertise that I had once needed for myself. I never set out to become a curly hair specialist, but the more I leaned into it, the more aligned it felt.
In 2021, despite some people telling me I couldn’t or shouldn’t, I opened my own salon suite, Jasmine Kay Hair Co. Becoming a business owner was a huge turning point. It gave me the freedom to fully embrace my passion, make intentional choices, and build a space where curls, and people, are celebrated.
I’ve never felt more proud or more on-purpose. I love working one-on-one with people, helping them feel confident in their natural texture, and creating an experience that’s relaxing, educational, and empowering. I can truly say I’ve found my niche and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road, but I think that’s part of what’s made the journey so meaningful. One of the biggest challenges early on was just being taken seriously. Cosmetology is often overlooked as a “real” career, and that mindset can wear on you when you’re trying to build something from the ground up.
There were also a lot of moments where I doubted myself. Especially stepping into a specialty like curly hair that’s both deeply personal and often underserved. I didn’t grow up knowing how to care for curls, so I had to unlearn and relearn a lot, all while building trust with my clients.
And of course, opening a business during a pandemic came with its own set of challenges. Figuring out how to manage everything solo, from finances to marketing to client experience. There were, and still are, plenty of growing pains, but each struggle pushed me to get clearer on what I value, how I want to show up for my clients, and what kind of business I want to build.
It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an independent hairstylist and the owner of Jasmine Kay Hair Co. located in Wilmington, NC. I specialize in cutting, coloring, and styling naturally curly hair and I work almost exclusively with clients who wear their curls in their natural texture. I’m known for creating custom curl cuts and educating people in styling and embracing their natural hair.
I’m most proud of the experience I’ve built. It’s not just about the haircut, my space is educational, relaxing, and completely focused on one-on-one care. A lot of curly clients come in feeling frustrated or misunderstood from past salon experiences, and I love being able to offer something different: a safe, low-stress space where they feel understood.
What sets me apart is my combination of technical skill, experience, and how deeply I care. I’ve been through the process of figuring out how to care for my own curls, so I bring a lot of empathy and personal insight to the chair. My clients always know I’m in their corner and that I’m invested in their hair and their confidence.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Most of my mentors and support network have come from the online space. It was tough to find an in-person mentor because the path I was carving out wasn’t something I saw locally in Wilmington. I went to plenty of networking events, but rarely met others in my field or found connections that really clicked.
Everything shifted when I found my online community- shoutout to Brit Seva and Thrivers Society! That’s when I finally felt like I had guidance, support, and people in the industry who got it. It gave me the confidence to try new things, ask questions without fear of judgment, and grow my business in a way that felt authentic to me.
My advice would be, don’t wait for the “perfect” local mentor to appear. Look for people or communities, online or otherwise, who have the kind of business and values you want to build. And don’t be afraid to reach out, show up, and start conversations. Sometimes your best support system is just a DM away.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jasminekayhairco.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasminekayhairco
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jasminekayhairco1
