Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Gardner.
Jay, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins with a small prayer I offered when my then wife, Shanna (still business partners), and I were considering a move from Salt Lake City, UT to Jacksonville, FL. She was the hair stylist and I was the college grad. That particular prayer left me a feeling of encouragement that it was the right move. We packed up our belongings and loaded up the car with our two dogs and set off into uncertainty. When Mosaic Salon Studio was opened in 2008, it was one of the first salon suites in Jacksonville. For those that are not familiar with salon suites, they are suites that are setup with what a hair stylist, nail tech, or esthectician would need to rent and run their own individual business. It was a big risk but it has always been a great story of how all the different pieces fell into place from the location to the bank that provided the financing to the builder who constructed the building.
Since 2008, I have had to wear every hat from janitor to accountant from plumber to web site designer. However, what I believe has got me from where I was to where I am know has been my relationship with the professionals and their clients. It really has been a focus on being involved day to day with the business to build a community and to be there for them. The proof of that success is the number of professionals who have been at Mosaic Salon Studios for over 10 years with some over 15 years.
Triathlon has also played a major part of my life in my 40s. One really fun part of participating in triathlon was carrying the Mosaic logo on my race kit and stand on the podium.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We know there a cycles in life and in business and storms come, they always do. The economy crashing in the late 2000s was particularly challenging personally. I, like many people, were significantly impacted financially. I lost my home and had to move. Mosaic hung in there but we had professionals who were also impacted and needing to close their doors. Up until the beginning of 2014, that period was challenging. That time was a major storm. However, what is interesting and how it seems to go is that things happen for a reason. The move to a new home provide opportunities that would not have happened any other way. As the writer Alan Watts stated, when the Universe wants to strengthen a person it does not send comfort, it sends a challenge.
I think that is key in how we look at challenges and storms that come in life. It is one I have to remind myself of from time to time. The challenge isn’t a punishment but a reveal.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Mosaic Salon Studios rents salon suites to hair and other beauty professionals to offer the opportunity for them to run their own business with reduced overhead. There are two things that I am particularly proud of in my 17 years of owning Mosaic. The first is the number of professionals who been with us for a long time. We have professionals who have been with us from over 15 years. That is a testament to the hands-on approach to managing Mosaic. The second thing I am proud of is how many professionals have gone on to expand their business. Mosaic is a home for many, but it is also a launch pad for others. Mosaic is really a community hence the name we choose when we opened. I am proud of the tapestry we have made from the threads of the many individuals who have been with us. It is tapestry with a diversity of people and culture.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would have to say awareness. Awareness for people, awareness of finances and awareness of change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mosaicsalonstudios.com
- Instagram: @mosaicsalonstudios
- Facebook: @mosaicsalonstudios
