I’ve always believed some passions are stitched into you from the start. For me, it was hair. Growing up in Rhode Island, I spent countless afternoons tucked into the buzzing atmosphere of salons with my grandmother and aunt. While most kids my age were restless in those chairs, I was mesmerized. By the time I was a teenager, I had already mapped out the dream: one day, I’d be working with hair in New York City.

That was twenty years ago. And in the beginning, I took any path that would bring me closer to the chair. I assisted on fashion shoots, styled brides on their wedding days, even picked up barbering. But what truly captured me was coloring—watching hair transform into something entirely new under my hands. That’s when I knew I had found my calling.

The Breakthrough

Every career has its turning point. Mine came in 2017, when Rosie Huntington-Whiteley trusted me with her color. That collaboration blossomed into a two-year partnership, and from there, the door kept opening wider. Through Rosie, I met the brilliant Jen Atkin, who introduced me to Bella Hadid. I’ll always say Bella gave me my big break—she really put me on the map. From then on, word-of-mouth carried me into the orbit of clients like Chloë Sevigny, Kaia Gerber, Emily Ratajkowski.

There was also the time Kendall Jenner’s team called asking me to fly out the next day to take her hair red. I didn’t hesitate for a second. Moments like that remind you why you stay ready for the unexpected.

Building Something of My Own

Owning a salon wasn’t part of my original plan. I was perfectly happy building my name behind the chair. But as my following grew, I couldn’t shake the idea of creating a space that reflected my vision. So in 2019, I opened a small, girly barbershop-inspired salon in the East Village. Six months later, the pandemic forced us to close for three long months. When we reopened, masked and cautious, I was overwhelmed by the support of the community. That little space survived, and in 2021, I opened my flagship salon in Soho—a full-service destination for cuts, color, extensions, and beyond.

But I kept thinking about the East Village spot, where it all started. I didn’t want to abandon it—I wanted to reinvent it. The idea took shape as something I hadn’t seen before: a hybrid between a blow-dry studio and a scalp spa. Usually, you go to one place for a scalp treatment and another for a blowout. I thought—why not both?

Welcome to Jenna’s

The result is Jenna’s. Funny enough, it’s not named after me but after my best friend, Jenna—also a Rhode Island native, and now my chief of staff. She’s the right hand to my left, and the salon is a tribute to our friendship. When we want to relax, we don’t go out for drinks—we book couples massages. That energy of indulgence and care inspired the vibe at Jenna’s. It’s meant to feel like a treat, a reset: a place where you can unwind, heal your scalp, and leave with a gorgeous blowout.

Developing the concept was its own adventure. We toured other wellness-inspired studios, and one of the most fascinating was WhisperWave, where ASMR scalp massages are the main attraction. Quirky and soothing—but I wanted something more elevated. At Jenna’s, we offer detox treatments to clear metals and minerals, deeply moisturizing therapies, and calming scalp rituals. Think of it as a foot rub—but for your head.

A Space with Soul

Designing Jenna’s was just as important as the services. While the original studio was light and airy, this new version is grounded and warm. More wood, fewer pastels—a richer, more intimate atmosphere. Jenna has impeccable taste, and together we redesigned the space ourselves.

I’d dreamed for years about owning a Murano glass chandelier, and we finally found one. It now hangs as the salon’s centerpiece, shimmering above the floor like a jewel. Before that, my favorite piece was a Glas Italia iridescent table—its surface looked like a rainbow oil slick glistening on city pavement, something that always sparked my creativity as a colorist.

Beyond the Chair

Hair is the heartbeat of Jenna’s, but I wanted the shelves to reflect my broader inspirations. We’re stocking a curated range of products from brands I love—Rōz, Summer Fridays, Le Bonne Brosse, Sidia, and Snow Fox, who make stunning gold-plated brushes. As someone constantly testing new launches, it feels good to spotlight the products that truly stand out.

We’re even exploring same-day delivery through Uber Eats. Imagine adding a nourishing scalp treatment or brush to your order alongside dinner—it’s a little wild, but why not?

Full Circle

From a teenager in Rhode Island dreaming of New York to coloring some of the world’s most recognizable faces, my journey has been about following that first spark of obsession. Now, with a flagship in Soho and Jenna’s in the East Village, I feel like I’ve built something bigger than myself—a community, a space, and a reminder that hair is never just hair. It’s identity, confidence, and artistry all at once.

And if you ask me, we’re only getting started.