Today we’d like to introduce you to Nickie Wooten.
Hi Nickie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am my amazing parents, William and Gloria Jenkins’ baby girl. I have one sister, Natalsya Jenkins Tucker. She’s always been the calm one and I have always been on level 19 on a scale of 1-10, Lol! We are five years apart, but she gives me range to play the big sister from time to time. My interest in the Beauty Industry began by me cutting my own hair at the age of 11! Then I cut my sister’s hair, her best friend’s hair and it was a wrap! I was very self-conscious about my hair growing up. I had a febrile seizure when I was in preschool. It was severe enough where I had to be hospitalized for a while. I had several tests run and one in particular was probably the reason that I am such a passionate and affectionate Hairstylist today. The test took out my thick, beautiful hair. I was devastated to say the least at a very young age. Of course, kids are kids. They don’t understand how things work so they are very forward in conversations. Especially with each other. Needless to say, my feelings were hurt on a regular basis with questions about my hair. I was so sad about how short my hair was now and it seemed that it was taking forever to grow back! My mother introduced me to what I know now to be a Professional Hair Stylist. Then, what would change my life forever happened. I got my first braid extensions to help promote the growth of my hair! That gave me LIFE! I will never forget how that made me feel. Shortly after then, I was cutting all of my doll’s hair off and without even realizing it, creating commercially integrated styles for all of them with Scotch Tape. Hay, if it made me feel that happy, my baby dolls were going to be happy too! Lol!
My Great Aunt Nettie Mae Sharp was one of Georgia’s top Hair Stylists. She was friends with The Bronner Brothers and many of the Who’s Who of Hairstyling in the 70’s and 80’s. Every three to four months, me, my Dad, my Mom and my older Sister would travel to Valdosta, Georgia to let my Aunt do our hair. I can remember the smell walking in her salon of Jheri Curls processing, Hair Hot Curling and the sound of laughter. The TV was on, Music was playing but no one was paying attention to any of that. They were all so happy and talking to each other. I would sit and watch her turn out head after head after head. She was one of the best that I remember. Every summer when we went to Quitman, Georgia to stay with my Great Grandmother Nettie Shaw, I always looked forward to going to my Auntie Nettie Mae’s house. That’s where my love for Hair and Hairstyling was first cultivated. I wasn’t even eight yet. but I already knew that I needed to be in the salon. She would let me help her do different things and I was in Heaven! She’s retired now, but to date she is one of the most talented Hairstylists that I had the honor to shadow. Sabrina Myers would take over where my Aunt left off. She was my hairstylist for over ten years. She would always tell me, “You’re going to be a hairdresser. I can see how you watch me work.” As I got older and began to drive, she would send me on errands for the salon and let me help prep clients for her. Sabrina solidified my idea of becoming a Professional Stylist. Going to Sabrina’s salon weekly became one of the most important parts of my upbringing. I literally grew up in that salon. I will always love her for the knowledge and technical skills that she instilled in me. She too was one of the most talented stylists that I have ever seen.
All throughout Jr. High School and Sr. High School I basically converted my parent’s dining room into a makeshift salon. I literally was so busy that I had an appointment book to keep things organized! Lol It wasn’t about making any money. I was just in my element! I loved creating new styles and making my loved ones and friends smile. That’s who I am. I love to make people happy.
I graduated high school and that summer the first job that I had in the Beauty Industry was in a strip mall near my home. The store was called Kim’s Fashion and Wigs. The owner was one of my first mentors in the retail side of the industry, Kyung SOO Kim. He taught me everything from the front door to the back door about the different types of hair textures and quality. He ignited the fire that was always inside and showed me everything that I was willing to learn about the international hair trade. I learned about textiles, marketing, revenue, supply and demand. Hair textures, colors and what was considered luxury vs. basic. The store was one of the busiest Beauty Stores in the city. I also learned first-hand how to cut and style Human and Synthetic Wig Units. Until my time spent there, I had no idea how huge the commercial integration and retail aspect of the beauty industry was. If it was just a few “wefts” or a full bundle it didn’t matter. Those women and men were coming to buy that weave! Lol. I worked there throughout my 1st semester of college. Kim’s Fashion and Wigs is where I first learned how to understand the Tagalog language.
Fast forward through college, becoming a mother, getting married and having an amazing career in Healthcare and Health Insurance. It was 2006 and I was now 32 years old and at the top of my 13 year career with Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida as an Analyst. I was still in love with Hairstyling. So one day while sitting in my office. I decided to take a two week vacation and simultaneously put in my two weeks’ notice. That was on a Friday, by the following Tuesday I was sitting in my first day of Theory at Riverside Hairstyling Academy. I felt as if I had a small, open window and I needed to follow my dreams once and for all. That was one of the most sane and sound decisions that I have ever made in my life. My Dad thought that I had lost my mind, Lol! My Mom told him, “Nope… This time, she knows what she’s doing.” I walked away from an amazing career, excellent benefits and a very generous salary to go back to school full time. I also had to ask myself periodically what in the heck was I doing? Lol.
I attended the prestigious Riverside Hairstyling Academy which would later be purchased by Toni & Guy. Riverside was the oldest Cosmetology Institute in Florida and boy it was elite! Attending Riverside and graduating gave you a free ticket in our industry. You could pretty much get a position in any of the top salons simply with your diploma. Everyone knew of Riverside! The best of the best attended Riverside. I excelled in Cosmetology School. I graduated with honors, additional hours and no overtime. Before I graduated, I was offered a full time position as the Campus Coordinator due to the professional abilities that I displayed while I was a student. Kim Troutman was the owner and also my mentor in Cosmetology Education. She is an all-around genius and absolutely gorgeous every single day. Kim was the epitome of poise, grace, beauty and fire. Fire because she did not play! Lol. She took me under her wing and showed me everything that she could about the business. She pruned me for excellence. I will never forget the Troutman family for all that they trusted me with and everything that they taught me. They treated me with so much love and kindness. My position as Coordinator and Director’s Assistant sparked my dedication to education. That was only the beginning.
I worked at Riverside Hairstyling Academy during the day and at my sister’s best friend Charlotte Marie Foster’s salon “Bella” in the evening. Once the demand was so hectic in the salon, I soon had to leave the school after a year and a half and go full time in the salon. Marie was a natural and she was very protective of me. I was a little sister to her. She always told me; I protect you like I do because your heart is so pure. I never want this industry to change who you are. I didn’t quite understand that then, but as time went on I definitely did. Marie added education to her career and soon after passed away. We were planning to open an advanced education salon. I got the keys to the salon February 28, 2012 and she passed away the following month. I was devastated. She was so young and full of life. In her honor, I went to the school where she began her teaching career and applied for a position. The entire time, all I could think about is her and the plans that we had. I vowed to finish what we started. I never planned on doing it by myself, but I had to do it. So that June, I began as an Educator for Regency Beauty Institute.
I opened the salon and named it Posh & Clever Concept Boutique. I Trademarked the name because it carried so many emotions and so much meaning. It was okay to be Beautiful and Smart. I wanted to set a standard for my three daughters as well as other girls and young ladies. I had an opportunity to reach back and I did just that every possible opportunity that I had. I was determined to build my army of “Hair Babies”, Lol! I was so close to my students and it was genuine, never fabricated. I captivated my students with my bizarre sense of humor as well as my Virgo Extreme mentality. I made sure that they learned and laughed while learning. My overall student passing scores were so high that it caught the attention of our Corporate Leadership Team. We had 88 schools during that time and as an educator I was one of the highest ranking in the nation. After sitting in on some of my lectures to see what the heck was going on, after only a year and a few months, the decision was made that I direct my own education program. It was bitter sweet. Me and my Hair Babies were a tearful mess for about a solid week. I assured them that I would always be there for them. 9 years later, they will all tell you that they can call me at any given time and I am still right there for them! We are family. ALL of them, and it’s a LOT of em! Lol! I began my journey as Campus Manager and Director of Education on my birthday in 2013. It’s a birthday that I will never forget!
I began to travel the country even more and worked with so many amazing industry leaders and celebrity beauty educators. After our school had been recognized as consistently being in the top 5 from being in the bottom 20 for years, I was asked to travel to our largest campus to share our secret to success. It was simple, I genuinely cared for my students as well as my employees. I wanted everyone to succeed, so I poured into my staff. I celebrated them, coached them and worked as their ally. I taught them how to operate the school and developed them for leadership. It was always “Our” school and never “My” school. I develop leaders. I study strengths and weaknesses and create balance while building you up. The honor of serving in this capacity cultivated my awareness and concern for integrity in our industry. This cultivated my commission to become an Industry Consultant and State Captain for the Professional Beauty Association. I became a Licensed Agent for the Florida Commission for Independent Education in 2013.
In 2019, I was chosen to be an Artistic Educator for L’Oreal Matrix and Biolage Artist. This was one of the most exciting things that I can think of in my career. It’s rewarding yet humbling. I am an artist in a community of the most influential yet passionate Hairstyling Innovators in our industry. Our bond is inspiring and makes me proud to be a part of this team. I opened my 6th salon in February of 2020. This salon was given the name Muse. This salon was created to be a Safehouse. It was also created to cultivate creativity. This salon is a place that stylists can feel free to gather for continuing education, advise, pep talks, product knowledge and inspiration. It’s lined with Art and thought provoking conversation pieces. At the end of 2020, I was chosen to be a Matrix and Biolage Expert for L’Oreal. I was given the opportunity of a lifetime, to be an Artistic Commercial Educator to support our Salon Centric Success Consultants in education, brand awareness and salon emotion. I serve as a go to for salon owners and stylists in Florida as well as Georgia. While 2020 was very challenging, I have to be honest in saying that it was extremely rewarding to my career. I love this industry. It’s good for me and my family. I have to return the gift by being good to the community that I serve. I have a wonderful Husband Andre’ and five Beautiful Children, Jamaine, Iyana, Nyah, Patience and JaKhari. Two Godchildren Diara and Dimari. My Niece Jasmine and Nephew Jared and Cousin Ashton. These 10 amazing young people are my crew. They keep me young and energetic! Lol!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ohhh, It has been as smooth as crunchy peanut butter! Lol! If I didn’t love serving so much and making people smile I would have gone back to Corporate America years ago! Challenges involved finding my niche. I had to be honest with myself and tell myself, self… You know that you don’t like doing this service so why are you torturing yourself? Lol! I had to realize what I enjoyed doing most and then learn as much about those things as I could. Secret is, you never stop learning and always be open and humble. If you stop learning, you stop growing. Finding the perfect location to house your vision is a little rocky when you don’t have all of the information that you need. Everything matters when choosing a location to house your business. Parking, parking lot lighting, seating, ergonomic equipment, lighting, plumbing, electrical capacity, traffic, neighbors, surrounding businesses… I could go on and on. One thing could throw off the entire experience for you and most importantly, your guests. Staffing… Whew! Finding the appropriate pond of genuine friends/colleagues to build with. What happens when your clients leave for the summer? What happens when you get sick and come back to the salon in hopes that you still have most of your guests. When you’re part of an amazing corporate team then the corporation sells all of your stores while you’re excelling. The list builds! You have to have Faith, Tenacity, Creativity and Consistency. Most of all Integrity. My advice is to do the right thing no matter if everyone’s watching or you’re alone. It’s just as important either way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What keeps me busy the most these days are Posh & Clever Concept Boutique (Industry Consulting), Nickie Wooten Cosmetology Concepts (Industry Education), Posh & Clever by Nickie Wooten (Our line of Cosmetics and Hair Care Products) Muse, (Our Concept Salon) andTwo Poshed Girls Beauty (Our Naturally Based Skin Pampering Business) which I own with my daughter Nyah. In our industry I am an educator, but I still work behind the chair. I love cutting and creating contrast hair colors. I pride myself in actually creating organic hues. I hardly ever apply color without formulating it into a specialty color. Over 10 years ago, I was nicknamed “MacGyver” by my industry peers. They never knew what I was about to do and how I pulled off some of the most complicated tasks from behind the chair. I have always been the one who’s called when something goes wrong, lol. I walked into the name and I hold it dear to date. Besides, who didn’t love MacGyver when we were growing up! Lol! I love to team build and bring out the best in others. I look for the best in everyone and I celebrate others easily. It’s genuine, I honestly just love people. I was raised that way. My Grandparents (the late) Elder Charlie and Mother Lucile Sheppard are very prominent staples in our community. They exude Love. I inherited their hearts and for that I am most thankful. I am known to many for having a caring and loving heart. I am most proud of being consistent with my peers, my hair babies and those that I mentor in this industry. My Art has been featured in Magazine Editorials, Billboards, Fashion Shows, Music Videos, Marketing Campaigns in the US, UK, Canada and Germany. I am very modest and private about the projects that I work on, but I work a lot! I have worked with major Cosmetic Brands, Celebrities, Pro Athletes, Recording Artists and Models. I’ve coordinated several projects with Celebrity Stylists. I am a wife and mother first, so I work often behind the scenes so that I have more control of my time. I’m quiet about it, but my gifts make room for me. I don’t have to be out front; I just need to be around it and I’m satisfied because I love solving problems for others! Lol! I am a team player. I operate best in a team environment. I’m a strategist and crisis negotiator. I like to solve issues and crunch numbers. I like to make things work. Beauty isn’t work for me. It’s my creative outlet. Fun fact is that I am also a former Rehab Assistant, Licensed Nursing Assistant as well as a Certified Med Tech. I not only care for those in the Hair Industry. I also care for my patients in the Healthcare Industry. I’m the go to caretaker for my family and loved ones.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
What most people don’t know about me is that I am an extremely prissy but slightly rough Tomboy! Lol! I love pearls, I love to glam up and look like a princess but I also love Trucks, Mud Bogging, Pitbulls and Loud Glass Exhaust Systems. I am very well rounded in the ARTS. Music is a part of almost everything that I do. I sing, I am trained in Modern Dance, I paint, write poetry and draw. I love listening to NPR News on PBS Every day, All Day! I am an introvert and very shy, but I love people so I try to conform to my environment. I prefer not to talk on the phone too long but I love long meaningful conversations in person. I know hundreds of people locally and internationally, but I don’t have many friends. Genuine Friendships are sacred and intentional to me. I love being at home with my family having fun, cooking and watching a good movie or series. I’m highly sensitive. I may not be the easiest person to understand because I don’t waiver between truths nor do I play with or waste words. I cannot remain a part of anything that my heart, mind and spirit doesn’t completely agree with. My peace is important to me and I protect it. I say a lot less than I actually know.
Contact Info:
- Email: Nickiewooten01@gmail.com
- Website: www.musejacksonville.com
- Instagram: @musejacksonville
- Facebook: @musejacksonville
- Twitter: @NickieWooten01
- Other: twoposhedgirls.po.sh
Image Credits
Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition Kwari “Pastel” England Nickie Wooten
