JCI Hair Grad Meo Ho | Teaching Hair in Cambodia

Having worked at Axis Hair Salons and now at The Salon, JCI Hair Art Design Graduate Meo Ho has continued to be a huge advocate for helping people. She volunteered for two years at the Covenant House, while also helping other charities. Meo recently spent one month in Cambodia teaching hairstyling with the Justice and Soul Foundation. Read more about her journey of becoming a hairdresser below! 

Where were you born and raised? 

I was born in Calgary, Alberta but moved to Vancouver in 1991 (I was 9 years old).  My dad had a business opportunity here and both my twin and I were bullied like crazy so that was another reason why we moved.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the hair industry? Was it something you always wanted to do?

Hair wasn’t the first thing I wanted to do, I ventured into other creative endeavors before finally settling in the hair game.  I literally watched a video on Facebook called “Time is Precious” and that was the driving force behind my career switch.  Due to my traditional Asian upbringing, hairstyling was not a respectable career (still isn’t) that’s why it took me so long to finally take the leap from legal to styling. It’s a long story but a goodie, tell you when you’re in my chair! (lol).  When I do think about it though, hair has come full circle for me because I worked under the table as a hair washer for a tiny salon close to Chinatown in grade 5 for extra money since the pops was a sole income earner for a family of 10, what a guy!

What was your experience with JCI Institute? 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at JCI, because I changed careers later in life, I really wanted to get the training done in quick time, no time to waste!  JCI was the only school that offered a night program that didn’t require me to quit work while getting the training done.  It was an intense 6 months but well worth it because the teachers were knowledgeable and amazing.

What did you do after you graduated?

I volunteered for 2 years with Covenant House for their Rights of Passage program where I cut their youth community’s hair.  This was a long term program focussed on youth that was already making positive changes in their lives who were either attending school or working in a field they were trained in, through connections made by Covenant House.  Simultaneously I was also offered a junior stylist position with Axis Hair Salons where I worked for 2.5 years.  August 2019, I ventured into a smaller salon to continue to pursue my career as an independent stylist.

Tell us about your most recent project in Cambodia? What was your experience with the Justice and Soul Foundation?

I volunteered with the Justice and Soul foundation whom I heard about through a hair podcast I listen to “Your Day off”.  I wanted to know more so googled them and got in touch with the founder Matthew Fairfax and the rest was history.  I was required to stay in Cambodia for 1 month, teaching young women who were rescued from the sex trade how to cut and style hair.  I was essentially picking up where the last guest artist left off in their curriculum.  It was such a fulfilling experience getting to know the students.

Every day we would start with a morning huddle where we gathered in a circle and would individually share a few things we were grateful for.  It really set the tone for the day on a positive note.  I experienced a bit of imposter syndrome while I was there but each day as students shared how grateful they were to have me there or grateful for what I taught them, it made sense for me why I was there.  The Justice and Soul Foundation is an extremely professional foundation and they are doing amazing things with the students who are enrolled in their 2.5-year hair program.  I would highly recommend anyone in the beauty industry to volunteer with them.  They are always looking for nail techs, aestheticians and hairstylists to come and impart their craft with the students.

How do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

In 5-10 years I see myself as a salon owner and I would like to create a similar platform like Justice and Soul in Canada and perhaps Vietnam where my father is from.

What is one of your biggest prized moments throughout your career? 

Being named in the top 17 stylists in Vancouver by Narcity straight from graduation.  Meeting Anthony Crossfield and Carver Johnson of Union Salons the exact same night I decided to become a hairstylist, (Thank you universe!).  Last but certainly not least, Renee Garaghty of Axis Hair Salons for offering me a junior stylist position where I was able to develop more of my skills and was surrounded/supported by so many amazing talents such as Katie Johnston, Karl G. Brown, Dawn Archer and Tara Chow to name a few.  Thank you!

Do you have any advice for any Hair Students in the industry? / What  advice would you have given yourself as a student? 

Advice for hair students: don’t be afraid to make a mistake because you learn from them.  Mirror your client’s energy, if they are a chatterbox be a chatterbox.  If they are quiet, ask a few questions and let them chill. Sit at eye level during your consultations.  People sit in your chair for your skillset but they are also there for your personality so be authentic in your engagement with your clients and just show them you care.

Advice for myself, have fun and be present.  I’m a bit of a stress case in general so I could definitely lighten up on myself, haha.

Lastly, I love my job because it doesn’t feel like one and I am so grateful for the people I have encountered and continue to encounter in this industry.  Thank you JCI!