Meet Jennifer Trejo | Serial Entrepreneur/Licensed Master Cosmetologist & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Trejo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Growing up, I watched my mother struggle. She was a single mom of 3 kids. Me being the middle child and having a sick younger brother. My brother passed away at the age of 2. Which left me and my older sister. My mom never gave up. She did everything alone for as long as I can remember. She was the definition of a strong black woman. She never complained, just did what she had to do to take care of us. Deep down inside I saw that she was unhappy with her life. I remember watching her do hair in the kitchen and she would fuss at me for picking up hair off the floor to braid all my dolls hair. She would always say “that’s trash” or “leave that hair alone!” I started braiding hair at the age of 5 and took my first client at the age of 9. I was 10 years old and my mom would make me braid my older sisters hair and i hated it! But i figured out what she was doing, she was molding me for greatness. By the time i was 14 I made a name for myself in Savannah, Ga. I was known for layered bobs and design corn rolls.It was so funny because people couldn’t believe that I was so young and doing such great work. I made a lot of money at a young age off of my craft. There would be days where my mom would kick me out the house because I would leave hair everywhere, or ruin her vacuum! Times where i would literally have a client and she would make me get out the house. My clients didn’t care! They would sit on the porch in the projects, just for me to finish. I realized how talented I was and saw the money that I was making at that age, my mom didn’t have to do a thing for me. I started buying my own school clothes, doing my own hair, just trying to take the load off. Society and family made me feel that being a braider wasn’t a “real” job. So I figured I’d just go to college to make my mom proud. Doing hair was just something that I was good at, and it generated me a lot of revenue. By the time I got in High School I realized that school wasn’t for me. I hated sitting in classes for long periods of time. I didn’t like anything about school but I knew I had to graduate. I felt so pressured in High School to the point where I got sworn into the Navy. I just wanted to make my mom happy. Needless to say, I ended up getting out of my contract, knowing good and well that military life wasn’t for me! Still trying to figure things out, I enrolled at Savannah Technical College to study Criminal Justice. I don’t even think I stayed a full week! Like seriously, what am I really doing? That was always in the back of my mind. Doing hair just always made a way for me. I could be dead broke and have everything I need in a few hours! Creating always helped me escape what was going on in my life. Life was very hard for me coming up but doing hair and making people happy made me full. I never liked working jobs. I wanted to move on my own time and make my own schedule. My mom worked so much that she wasn’t able to enjoy her life. It was literally work and home. Seeing that made me realize that I wanted better for myself and for my future children. After I had my son in 2013 I decided to take my career to another level. I attended Virginia College of Savannah and received my Master Cosmetology License. At the top of my class to be exact! I killed every competition, aced every test, passed state board on the first try, you name it! I knew that’s exactly where i was supposed to be. Remember, I hated school right? But i enjoyed every single day of cosmetology school. Even through my struggles, i pushed through! I literally rode the greyhound bus to Atlanta to take my exam. I had little to no support but i got it done! As soon as I got back to Savannah I had a job waiting. With over 10 years of experience I decided to further my career and enrolled at Empire Beauty School for my Instructors License. I completer the program in March of 2025 being the Educator in Training of the year. So to wrap this up, I pursued this career because it has and always be my purpose in life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the definition of a Master Cosmetologist. I do it all, not just one thing! And if there’s something that I can’t do, I will invest in it. I literally make money all year round. When it gets hot, I can transition to hair braiding. When it cools down, I can transition to blowouts and natural hair styling. Not only can I lay a lace, but I can also create a custom madewig. What sets me apart from others is my professionalism. I am not a stylist that only cares about the money. I am an educator which means I will educate you. I can look at your hair or skin and tell you what issues you’re having. I’m a very honest and caring entrepreneur so if you come to me seeking a particular style, and I know that that isn’t healthy for you I will simply tell you all the necessary steps that you need to take to take care of yourself as well as your hair. It wasn’t easy getting to where I am today professionally. I’ve made mistakes in the past, I’ve had to rebrand, rebuild my clientele, and I’ve started over several times. The lessons that I’ve learned along the way were to keep going no matter what obstacles you face in life you have to keep going. It’s so easy to give up, but perseverance is what really matters in the end. All you have to do is start. If there’s something that you want to do just do it. Do everything with intention. I want the world to know that I am still a work in progress and I’m not perfect. But one thing I do know that is God makes no mistakes. I know that your gifts will make room for you. You have to use your gifts before you lose them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week long trip…
So Monday we would eat at the nest for a cute rooftop brunch, then maybe head to city market to hangout and drink. Tuesday, chill out and get some seafood from David’s Crabhouse and check out the riverside district. Wednesday eat at Belfords. Drink at McDonoughs. Thursday stop by Deb’s for a little ratchet good time. Friday, explore the J.W. Marriott, take a ferry ride, check out the love lock bridge. Saturday hang out on Tybee……that can be all day because everything is in one spot. Maybe hit up Electric Moon in downtown Savannah. Sunday kinda just kick back and then later check out Oddyssey Lounge for a good lip sync show, food and drinks! Pooler also has a nice adult bowling alley as well!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to recognize my mother for pushing me even though I didn’t understand it back then. I want to thank the my ancestors for guiding me in spirit. I also want to thank my Instructor, Mrs. McFarlin for always encouraging me and helping me remember my “why.” Her prayers and words of encouragement meant so much to me and helped me get through the program. Last but not least, i want to give a shout out to my son, Dallas. Without him lord knows where I would be. Everything I do is for him!

Website: WWW.JNICOLEHAIR4YOU.AS.ME

Instagram: @jnicolehair4you

Linkedin: Jennifer Trejo

Facebook: Jenn Jenn

Image Credits
Desmond Duval D&D Media Inc.