Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Cooper.
Hi Jessica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated from Leon’s Beauty School in Greensboro, NC, 15 years ago. Shortly thereafter, I started working for the famous retail chain, “Ulta”, in their Ulta Salon (2007-2008 timeframe). I worked there for approximately four years where I discovered my passion for formal hairstyling. It seemed as though most of the hairstylists I worked with there were intimidated to do formal styling, but, not me! I was motivated by the challenge, and quickly discovered how much I was able to uncover my artistic side. It’s almost like therapy to me. Doesn’t feel like “work”.
In 2012, I moved to Charlotte, where I started my own Bridal and Special Events Hairstyling Business, Giglio Hair Designs (Giglio is my maiden name and was my name at the time). I worked my business up to winning Wedding Wire’s Couples Choice Award in 2019 (right before we were hit with the global pandemic and everything stopped). I’m so thankful that weddings are starting to pick back up now. I look forward to an awesome year in 2023, as it is expected to be the busiest year yet for the wedding industry since the start of the global pandemic.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I’d have to say we were smooth-sailing, until around March of 2020 when the global pandemic (Covid) hit, and everything stopped. I went from being booked with a wedding nearly every weekend, to absolutely nothing. The majority of my brides rescheduled their weddings until further notice or just canceled altogether.
That took a major toll on my business financially, and also my personal life – after having my first child in January of 2020. The past few years have been both a blessing by the birth of our baby girl and a struggle in the sense of learning a new way of life living among the epidemic!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in Wedding/Bridal and Special Events hairstyling (formal hairstyling). A lot of what I love most about what I do is the people that I get the pleasure of working with (from clients and their closest friends and family, to other vendors). Building new friendships and business relationships is so much fun in the wedding industry. I love all things weddings, and love to go to all the different wedding venues!
Secondly, this is not what I consider “work”. It is more of a type of “therapy” for me… a way to express myself artistically. I am a very visual person, and I always tell my clients that if they can show me a picture of what they are wanting, the look/style they are going for, I can usually get it pretty close-to, if not exact! With my bridal hair trial appointments, I give my clients the opportunity to try up to three different looks.
This allows them to explore different options to consider for the price of one. I’m not sure you can find that offer anywhere else, and definitely sets us apart! It’s all part of understanding that planning a wedding comes with big decisions and wanting to look your very best on your wedding day!
What were you like growing up?
When I was growing up, I had a huge personality! But, was very independent and wanted everything done perfectly… pretty much how I still am today! I used to pretend I was a hairstylist with my best friend growing up and would use hairbrushes and rulers as my styling tools!
Pricing:
- Bride Wedding Day Hair $100
- Wedding Party Member Hair $75 per person
- Wedding Party Member Hair (12 years old and younger) $45 per person
- Bridal Hair Trial Appointments are offered
- Travel Fees are assessed
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gigliohairdesigns.com
- Instagram: @gigliohairdesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gigliohairdesigns/
- Twitter: @GHairDesigns
Image Credits
Casey Hendrickson Brown, Michael Anderson, Tara Oliver, Tricia Coyne, and Paige Ryan Photography
