“What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.” Charles Bukowski

The first time I met Jay Wesley Olson, it was passion at first sight. Now, I know what you are thinking, but for reals, Jay and I just connected, on a soul level, right out of the gate. Part of it could be that our birthdays are one day apart, part of it could be that sometimes you just meet someone who you feel you have known a lifetime. Like a brother. And that is what Jay has become to me. Not only is he an incredibly talented colorist, but his gentle giant vibe and his approach to teaching is some of the best I have ever seen. So of course, I had to share a deeper look “behind the babe”, and into the mind, soul and heart of Jay Wesley Olson.

N: What does passion look & feel like to you?
J: My first thought was my wife and daughter. If I break it down, passion for me is a vibration inside. It’s soul. It’s what makes you breathe and gives you purpose. It’s your hunger that drives you. It can look and feel like almost anything. That’s for the individual. For me, it’s my personal growth. It’s making my family proud. It’s elevating “our” craft. It’s love, fear, fight and peace all wrapped in one. It is easily why I wake up.

N: Why did you become an owner?
J: The biggest reason I became an owner is so that no one could tell me what to do, but a very close second would be that every time, and situation that I have been apart of, I’ve drawn inspiration from. I’ve always wanted to take the very best, or what I felt was the very best from each environment that I’ve been a part of, and put that into establishing my own culture.

N: What is the biggest challenge you have had and how did you overcome it?
J: The biggest challenge that I have had would be finding that perfect balance between work and personal life. It was finally overcome by realizing that whatever it was, opportunity wise, that it would always be there the next day. The phone and Internet turn off as soon as I walk through the front door at my home.

N: What is the greatest lesson you have learned?
J: The greatest lesson that I have learned is to be patient and know that if you have questions, that they will be answered along the way. Also, always put your family first.

N: What is one skill you believe all successful owners need to have? Why that one?
J: As an owner you need to be a leader, but also be organized. You need to have the ability to uplift people and put them in a position to be the most successful they can be.

N: Why are you so passionate about hair color and education?
J: I am passionate about education because there isn’t a better feeling than somebody getting excited about knowledge you have. On a selfish note, I’m passionate about education because it breathes progress and motivates me to find my greatest version of myself!

N: Favorite quote?
J: “What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.” Charles Bukowski

N: Starbucks or Coffee Bean?
J: Starbucks

You can find Jay on Instagram @jaywesleyolson and on his salon page @thebespokecollective as well as on his education page @braidsandbalayage where he shares all the awesomeness he and @theconfessionsofahairstylist are creating!

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina