jen o’donnell
Growing up, Jen loved pouring over the blueprints that her dad brought home from a job (he’s a plumber) and would imagine how the house would look when finished. From an early age, she knew she would do something creative. Her aunt was a hairdresser, and Jen would spend time with her in the salon, watching her work, absorbing the energy she brought to the work. Jen’s creativity needed an outlet.
She attended South Hills Beauty Academy and realized her calling. “My aunt always told me to try to get into a high-end salon, and I really wanted to work at AMH.” Jen says that while still in school, she would call constantly, trying to get an interview. (Today, she thinks she might even have been a bit annoying.) But it finally worked, and she started training at AMH while she was still in school. “I knew it was in me – it felt good! I’ve been here 20 years, and the time has gone fast. I am always happy to come to work. I truly love doing hair – I never wake up and feel as if I don’t want to do this.”
Jen worked as Larry Alberta’s assistant for about one and a half years, then started taking on her own clients. Those years assisting Larry provided her with a wealth of training.
Going to Beauty School gave her the basics and the hours to be licensed. But working side by side with Larry provided her with an education in modern day techniques that are what set the stylists at AMH apart. She believes that a stylist must get into a salon and train. She says, “If I had time and capital, I’d totally revamp the curriculum that’s taught in Beauty Schools today. Students are learning very basic old school techniques that are not in sync with today’s technology and products.” She believes that a stylist must be self-motivated to learn new techniques and stay current.
Working at AMH has given her the opportunity to work and learn from some of the best. She participates at both the in-salon training provided at AMH and keeps abreast of current trends through ongoing study and education on her days off. Watching and learning from other industry leaders is important to staying current with industry trends, and Jen says that Larry Alberta has brought in some of the best. He took the whole team NYC – we’ve seen many high-end salons and I think our salon competes.
When asked what the best part of her job is, Jen quickly replied, “working with people I really love. We are a good team… Larry picks the right people, and it really works. We are in harmony. I’d never want to let my co-workers down. It’s been a privilege to do some training with the new stylists. I start them, and then they work with Larry. I love the mentoring, and the good feeling I get when I see the success of someone I’ve helped to train.”
When asked what the hardest part of the job is, Jen said sometimes it’s tough to meet unreasonable expectations. “I try to encourage clients to strive for their own best look. Who doesn’t want to be the best version of themselves?”
“I strive for finding the client’s best look, one that is believable for that individual, not just trying to copy someone else’s look.”
Jen is also an artist and works in acrylics. In fact, you can see some of her art in the salon, although she says it can be tough to be creative all day, then try to be creative when she gets home! She works out, practices yoga, loves dogs, and lives her best life.
Jen is committed to creating the perfect look for her valuable clients.
