Meet Jen Duran | Hairstylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jen Duran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jen, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always been a creative person. I knew I was never the type to go into conventional education or career paths. If I’m being honest, the thought of falling into a career I don’t genuinely enjoy scared me more than anything. Hairstyling sort of fell into my lap from starting a little hair page to do friends hair in high school, to now living in a different state learning from some of the industry’s best. Taking the risk of going into this career is something I can look back on and know I made the best decision. I’m not only able to utilize my creative side, but also connect with and learn from so many others. From clients, stylists, to educators, the energy is unmatched and is the reason I continue to pursue what I love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As I’m entering my first year as a stylist, I’m excited to see what the future holds for me. Looking back at myself 10 months ago, just starting my hair program, I’d never would’ve thought of everything that has come out of it. Just as every new and incoming stylist, I went through my 1200 hour hair program, but with the twist of a sudden school closure at just under a month left. This left me struggling to find a school with a hair specific program that at the time I couldn’t see it, but I now know everything happens for a reason. Within that same month I pushed myself to apply and apprentice at a gorgeous salon with amazing stylists who I now work with. Doing this was very intimidating as someone still in school alongside seasoned stylists. I’ve learned through all of this that it’s up to us to take our circumstances in our own hands, not let them define our outcome, and turn them around for the better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As I’ve only lived in Colorado for about two years, I definitely haven’t experienced all it has to offer yet! I’d say Boulder and downtown Denver are my favorite places to visit. If you’re active or just love a good view, the Boulder flatirons are a good place to hike and get a good overall view of the state. I’m a big concert lover so Red Rocks is THE place to go, but Colorado is definitely filled with many great venues. I love small and cute cafes, bakeries, and restaurants, mostly for pictures to be honest, so Olive&Finch would be my first choice since it’s all three in one. When I first visited, my older sister and I went there and it’s become our sister lunch spot ever since!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my aunt and uncle, who I consider second parents in being my main supporters throughout my whole journey. From moving to Colorado, to now becoming a licensed stylist, they’ve been there from the start. I want to secondly thank Carson&Co. salon for taking me in and furthering my education and confidence behind the chair beyond cosmetology school.

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Image Credits
Jen Duran