Styling hair is what Modern Blend’s Jamie Saban has always known.
“I’ve loved it since I was maybe three or four years old,” Saban said. “I always loved playing with hair. I would do my own hair, but I’d also put curlers in my little brother’s hair. My stepsister and I were very close, and I would also do her hair, too.”
Those early experiences were something that Saban carried into her professional career.
The joy that came with helping clients feel confident and beautiful, coupled with building relationships that last years, is what shaped Saban’s vision for her business, Modern Blend.
“Although I’m not a psychiatrist, and I don’t have a degree in any of that, I like getting to know somebody,” she said. “There are different levels of friendships, or helping someone through a certain time.
“I have endometriosis, and sometimes I’m able to connect with other clients who maybe just found out that they have that.”
As Saban’s client-base grew, so did her confidence to realize the next step in her career, opening her own business.
Located at 1704 Patton Dr Suite 3, Saban teamed up with Whisk owner Jen Wagner to put three businesses: a coffee shop, a boutique and a hair salon (Modern Blend) under one roof.
“I just want people to come in and just relax,” Saban said. To just feel like they’re getting away for a couple hours: they get to relax, they get to feel the positive energy.”
With a team of four stylists who do everything from eyebrow waxing, men’s, women’s and children’s cuts, colors and prom and wedding styles, Saban hopes to provide that environment to people from all walks of life.
Over the last year, that walk hasn’t always been easy, though.
Saban and Wagner opened the doors to their new venture shortly after COVID-19 mitigations, which included limited indoor dining and restrictions of hair care services, were put in place. While having a self-care experience has drawn clients to Modern Blend, the routine of a hair salon has been modified to ensure safety protocols.
At this point, the Modern Blend team is used to communicating and using their time wisely as they work to schedule appointments.
“I think the most challenging thing is you have to space your clients out a lot more, make sure that there’s plenty of space between the clients and make sure everyone’s wearing a mask,” Saban said.
But one thing that didn’t change or waiver as Saban began her journey as a business owner was her husband’s support.
“He knew from the very beginning, at some point in my career, I would love to have my own salon,” she said.
“When I talked to him about it, I asked if he thought this is a good idea during a pandemic. He’s like, ‘Sure, we’ll make it work.’
“My husband, my parents have been behind me 100% They’re in San Diego, so it’s been from afar. And my boys are so young, but they know that that’s ‘Mommy’s salon’.
