Local Authors Book Inspired by Experience

By Misty Cryer

Jordan Bowen was inspired to become an author by life experiences and a desire to help others understand how human connection affects both the service provider and the service recipient. In her book, “More Than Beauty—The Heart of Human Connection in the Beauty Industry,” she shares experiences and lessons learned throughout her life and career.

Jordan said she grew up in her mom’s salon and wasn’t very sure that she wanted to do hair. When she was a teenager, her mom, Valerie Branson, took her to a hair show in Minneapolis.

“Aveda has a big hair show; it’s called Aveda Congress,” said Jordan. At that point, she said she realized the industry was bigger than she thought, and it looked a lot more fun and exciting than everyday salon life. She decided, “This is what I’m going to do.”

Jordan attended Aveda Institute in Minneapolis and became a stylist and salon owner. She also partnered with her cousin, Tristen, to build a beauty school in Carlsbad.

She said she doesn’t work too much behind the chair anymore. “I kind of work behind the scenes at both places,” she said, referring to Daniel’s Salon and Melluzi Academy, where she said she has great teams.

At Daniel’s, Jordan said, “We also have The Spa and The Nail Lounge.” She explained that they rent out stations to people in the industry and help them run their own businesses in that building.

“Growing up in my mom’s salon and opening the school has taught me lots of things about leadership and the legacy I want to leave behind,” said Jordan. “All those things my mom used to try and teach me that I didn’t want to listen to, I had to learn myself,” she said.

Jordan said she had some help, including a little rehab working with the lady that does energy healing and sound healing in one of their buildings. That helped her understand that what she was learning related to what hair stylists and people who help people all day long deal with. “We don’t realize the emotional toll it takes on us to give that much energy and attention to people all day long,” she said.

Seeing it with students, instructors, and at the salon, Jordan said she thought, “There’s got to be a way to teach people how to emotionally regulate themselves so that work doesn’t drain them every day.”

The result: authorship of the book, “More Than Beauty—The Heart of Human Connection in the Beauty Industry.” It is not a technical book, said Jordan. “It’s more about the person behind the chair and their relationship with their client.”

Not being a big reader and realizing that people in the industry most likely don’t want to focus on anything else after working all day, Jordan said she tried to make the book short. “There are a lot of rituals to help, like little things you can do between clients to help regulate yourself,” she said.

“We tried to make it very understandable because honestly, that’s what helped me so much was just understanding what was happening to me,” said Jordan. She said she came to realize that she could control things and help herself, and she wanted to share that with others.

Jordan’s book is available on Amazon in three formats. Locally, it can be picked up at Daniel’s Salon or Melluzi Academy.

Therese Rodriguez, a well-known educator and community advocate in Carlsbad, is an avid reader and said the book, which she described as practical and heartwarming, pulled her in right away. When asked to share a quick review of the book, this is what she said:

“Jordan Bowen’s book, “More Than Beauty,” is written for the beauty industry, but it goes beyond that; it is about the human connection. Teachers, nurses, managers, and anyone who spends the day working with people will see their own situations in it.

“The reflections and takeaways are the book’s practical gift. They are short, clear, and easy to put into practice the same day.

“Bowen also includes the science behind the practice in simplified terms - enough to explain why a habit works.

“Stylists and salon owners will get the most out of it, but so will anyone whose work depends on showing up and making a true human connection.

“I highly recommend getting a copy of “More Than Beauty” because it stays with you after you close it and it can change how you show up the next day.”