J.MONT Makeup & Waxing Studio
659 Auburn Ave., Suite 268 Atlanta, Ga. 30312
www.jmontstudio.com
Facebook: J.Mont Studio
Facebook: J.Mont Studio
How long have you been a salon owner?
Six years
What attracted you to the beauty business?
I love the energy around beauty and the instant gratification that I get from a job well done. There is always some new trend to learn or something new to introduce to my clients. As soon as my client gets out of the chair, starts playing with her hair and admiring her makeup, I know I did a great job. I love that through my work I have the power to change someone’s mood, help [her] through a tough period of time or figure out a tough problem. 
Are you a makeup artist as well as an owner?
Yes. I have been a makeup artist for over 10 years and I love it. I started in the Dallas market and migrated to Atlanta. It can sometimes be a challenge to be an artist and the owner of a salon but that’s where having a good team with diverse strengths comes in. Our current team consists of myself, owner and creative director; my husband, Terry Holmes, co-owner and sales and marketing director; Tiffany Cantlow, senior artist and assistant; Ashaine Briscoe, senior artist and assistant; and Girard Hall, social media specialist.
Do you have plans to franchise your salon?
We have thought about it and would rather put our energies into makeup education and distribution of our cosmetic product line. A franchise of J.MONT Studios although potentially profitable would become a tremendous daily concern for me. There are a lot of personalities that would need to be managed and trained. In this way we are able to create a sustainable business model with less overhead, and more control of the quality of the end product.
What makes the atmosphere in your salon unique and inviting?
My husband and I decided that we wanted to make the salon feel like you were at one of your best friend’s lofts in the city. We wanted the colors to be warm and inviting and we wanted you to get a sense of our love for family. We have utilized pictures of us as a couple throughout the space and because I am an artist I wasn’t afraid to incorporate colors. I also made sure to pick comfortable but durable furniture so that it could stand up to daily use and still look pretty.
