It was the classic case of 2 co-workers,
[ acquaintences at best ] who barely knew each other the entire time we worked together.
We met in 1993. He was as 19 and
I was ... well, a tad older.
We both worked for the same beauty product company for many years, often in the same circles.
He left the company.
Years went by.
I eventually moved to Australia.
That was it, end of story.
Until one day...I got a “friend request” from him.
He flew half way around the world to take me
on our first date.
Fast forward, I moved to San Diego and opened my first salon with my, now husband.
Maybe it's our mutual love for good tacos,
great concerts
& a shared addiction for late night YOUTUBE video marathons. We both have the same passions and values. We’d like to introduce ourselves and our company to you by sharing with you who we are and
WHAT MATTERS to us.
As an ex-gang member whose career started off in the construction world, the last thing Abe Barron ever imagined becoming was an inspiration in the hairdressing world.
Given an ultimatum by his mother to join the Navy or go to beauty school, Abe chose the obvious. After a rough start and discouragement from many, including his own instructors, he was told "not to aim so high" when it came to his aspirations to work with one of the industry's leading icons.
Proving everyone wrong, Abe beat the odds & broke all the stereotypes becoming one of the beauty industry's most successful
hairdressers and educators.
His work has been seen in numerous educational shows, schools, videos and on stage internationally for JOHN PAUL MITCHELL SYSTEMS. He also served as the Artistic Director for
UNITE hair care.
As a successful hairdresser of 30 years with a loyal guest list of his own, Abe has opened 4 salons with over 75 team members. He continues to work behind the chair & educate on stage with his wife Melissa Jaqua, co-owner of their Southern California based salon, The Workshop:: on location. His credits also include work on So You Think You Can Dance, The X-Factor, and the American Music Awards.
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His guest list is as diverse as his art. Customizing a gambit of looks from real life wearable hair that packs a punch, to fun edgy creations & everything in between.
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Talented, full of humor, and authentically inspirational, Abe Barron always leaves an unforgettable lasting impression on everyone he meets!
abe barron
You know those people who just seem destine to do what they do? Melissa Jaqua is definitely one of them. Her career started right out the gate with larger than life dreams fueled by her confidence & passion for all things hair. Moving to LOS ANGELES & working with celebrities was the her biggest dream. Life, however, took her down a different path along the way. After experiencing her first educational hair show she had an instantaneous pull to help others become the best they can be. Enter, the beginning of her teaching career.
As an international platform artist for
John Paul Mitchell Systems for over 25 years Melissa's educational classes have touched hairdressers all over the world.
Her appearances span the USA, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Italy, England, New Zealand, Austria, Germany, Japan & Australia.
Her contribution to helping develop Paul Mitchell The School’s Advanced Academy led Melissa to create her own curriculum of courses as well as working side by side with the best in the business. Featured on 2 MASTERS interviews, her work has been published worldwide & thanks to her passion for multicultural hair, she earned the prestigious North American Hairstylist of the Year award.
Her hard work paid off as planned & she became a member of Hollywood’s elite LOCAL 706 hair and make-up union
for TV & FILM. Her work has been featured on hits like THE VOICE, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, AMERICAN IDOL, DANCING WITH THE STARS, AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS and WILL & GRACE, to name a few.
On the silver screen her passion for period hair is showcased in the OSCAR winning silent film, THE ARTIST as well as BABYLON. Her credits also include TOP GUN: MAVERICK.
"One of my biggest honors came from my peers in the form of an EMMY nomination for my work in Hollywood.
Since 1984, Melissa has worked consistently behind the chair while building a dedicated & diverse salon clientele including some well known Hollywood celebs.
( Yes ... she did it! :)
She has created looks for some of the fashion world’s top designers on the runway, worked as a session stylist for some of the fashion industry's iconic photographers & has been featured repeatedly as a leading artist in numerous John Paul Mitchell Systems educational videos, hair shows and ad campaigns globally.
The highest honor she received thus far in her career came after 31 years of pursuing her dreams. Melissa was inducted into her high school hall of fame for the achievements in her distinguished career as a hair designer.
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"You know that question people ask; "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Most people never end up becoming that thing.
I always LOVED hair; It's ALL I ever wanted to do since I was a little girl. My high school careers teacher once told me I should think about pursuing " a real job " instead. "
Melissa did the exact opposite & chased after her passion with all her heart. With a ton of hard work, a ton of sacrifice & a ton of fun along the journey,
she kept moving forward & never looked back. Her advice to others...
"ALWAYS, ALWAYS listen to your heart & pursue your dreams! The rest will fall into place."
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