Meet Jessica Patton | Hair Salon Owner and Operator

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

Hi Jessica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I started this journey with just $2000 and a plan, I knew in my heart this was meant to be!

After working in salons since I was 16 and learning the ins and outs of this industry, I felt called to create something different – a space where both stylists and clients could feel at home.

I wanted to build a salon family where creativity thrives without judgment, where my team (who I’ve known since high school!) could bring amazing ideas to the table, and where our clients leave feeling like they’ve just hung out with their best friend!

As a wife and mom of two, taking that leap wasn’t just about hair – it was about creating a legacy and showing my kiddos what passion and dedication look like! When we outgrew our first space in just 3 years, it confirmed what my heart already knew – this dream was meant to grow!

Downtown Monroe became our perfect home, and now every day I get to create hair magic alongside my favorite people!

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets La Boheme apart is our genuine approach to both hair and the client experience.

From day one, we’ve built a salon culture where everyone feels like family – both behind the chair and in it! I think clients can feel when a business is authentic, and that’s been our secret ingredient.

Getting here wasn’t always glamorous! Starting at the bottom and working my way up actually meant working my way up. We made tough choices and I had to learn that trusting my vision when others questioned it was the best way to see this though. The biggest challenge was believing in myself enough to make that first leap. There were definitely nights of worry and budget spreadsheets that made my head spin! But surrounding myself with a team that shares my passion has made all the difference.

I’m most proud of creating a space where stylists feel inspired to grow their craft without competition or drama. When you walk into La Boheme, you’re feeling the result of years building a team that genuinely supports each other. That positive energy flows into every client experience.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success isn’t just about technical skills – it’s about connection. Hair magic happens when clients trust you enough to be vulnerable about what they want, and when stylists feel empowered to be creative problem-solvers.

What I want everyone to know about La Boheme is that we’re more than beautiful hair (though we definitely deliver that too)! We’re building a community where self-care isn’t selfish, where transformation is celebrated, and where you’ll leave feeling better than when you walked in – both inside and out.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my bestie was visiting Monroe for a week, we’d have the BEST small-town adventure! ✨

Day 1: Welcome to Monroe day! We’d start with coffee from Coffee Camper (their lavender latte is life-changing, trust me!) before strolling downtown to show off our cute boutiques. Lunch at Thai Won On for the most amazing pad thai, then shopping at Gifted and Rustic Rack where I’d totally enable all their shopping decisions!

Day 2: Atlanta adventure! Since we’re only an hour from the city, we’d spend a day exploring the Beltline, maybe hit Ponce City Market, and grab dinner somewhere fabulous before heading back to our small-town oasis.

Day 3: Wine Wednesday at local vineyards! North Georgia has the cutest wineries with mountain views that are absolutely gorgeous! We’d pack a picnic and make a whole day of sipping and relaxing.

Day 4: Antique day! Monroe and the surrounding towns have the best antique shops where you can find amazing treasures. We’d hunt for unique pieces before an amazing dinner at Brown Fig!

Day 5: Spa day at La Boheme, obviously! My bestie would get the full VIP treatment – hair magic, relaxation, and all the salon gossip. We’d follow it with cocktails and apps at Le Gabrielle.

Day 6: Road trip to Madison! This gorgeous historic town is just minutes away with the prettiest southern homes and gardens. We’d take all the Instagram-worthy photos and grab lunch at Madison Chophouse

Day 7: Lazy Sunday brunch, more Coffee Camper (because addiction is real), and soaking up the last bits of small-town charm before heading back to reality!

What makes Monroe special isn’t fancy attractions – it’s the charm, the people, and the way everyone makes you feel right at home. That southern hospitality isn’t just a saying around here, babe, it’s our whole vibe!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My first shoutout has to go to my family! My husband and kids have been my biggest cheerleaders from day one – from late nights planning to celebrating every tiny win. When you’re building something from a prayer and a dream, having people who believe in you even on the hard days makes all the difference!

I’d also have to give major credit to the amazing stylists who took a chance on joining our salon family in those early days. These talented women (many who I’ve known since high school!) trusted my vision enough to come along for the ride. Their creativity, passion, and willingness to grow together has built La Boheme into what it is today!

And honestly? Our incredible clients deserve so much recognition! They trusted us with their hair, shared their stories in our chairs, and recommended us to everyone they know. That word-of-mouth support literally built our business in Downtown Monroe. Every transformation, every smiling selfie, every repeat booking – that’s what fueled our growth from our tiny first location to where we are now!

There’s something magical about small-town support that can’t be replicated. Monroe showed up for us in ways I could never have imagined when I started this journey, and I’m forever grateful for this community that feels more like family than customers. The magic happens when everyone believes in something together!

Website: https://labohemesalonandspa.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labohemesalonspa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/labohemesalonandspa/#

Image Credits
Wonderful Photos was done by Katelyn Crowe