About Susan
I've spent more than 40 years making room for natural hair, and for the people who care for it.
My work has always come back to one question: what do hair care professionals need to do their best work, and who is going to give it to them?
My story
From Kingston to Maryland
I grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, and left at 16. I came to the United States in 1981 hoping to work in marketing for a hair company. I found my place behind the chair instead.
In 1996 I opened Jaha Hair Studio. It grew to 10 stylists and more than 20,000 clients. Running it taught me as much about people, money, and leadership as it did about hair.
In 2003 I started Jaha Natural Hair Academy, because professionals needed a place to learn natural hair properly. I also created My Hair, My Way, a consumer education project.
In the early 2010s, Angela Walker and I kept going to hair shows where natural hair specialists were passed over. So in 2014 we built our own: the Natural Hair Industry Convention.
Over time my focus moved to the scalp. I've been a patient myself, and I saw how often stylists notice a problem first. In 2024 I co-founded S.T.R.A.N.D. with dermatologist Dr. Chesahna Kindred to train stylists on hair loss and scalp health.
Today I coach, consult, teach, and speak. I'm based in Maryland and work with people across the country.
- 1981Arrived in the United StatesA new start in the hair industry
- 1996MarylandOpened Jaha Hair Studio10 stylists, 20,000+ clients.
- 2003MarylandFounded Jaha Natural Hair Academy
- 2014Silver Spring, MarylandCo-founded the Natural Hair Industry ConventionIt started with about 50 people at a restaurant.
- 2017Atlanta, GeorgiaFourth annual conventionNearly 40 technical and theory classes, as reported by Global Cosmetic Industry.
- 2021OnlineLed business education at the virtual convention
- 2022Montego Bay, JamaicaNatural Hair Industry Retreat
- 2023Hanover, MarylandConvention with dermatology programming
- 2024NationwideCo-founded S.T.R.A.N.D.100+ cosmetologists trained and certified.
The work behind the work
Why I keep doing this
Natural hair deserved its own space
Too often natural hair gets pushed into a straight-hair box. Twists, locs, and the craft behind them get little attention. The specialists who perfected that work deserved a stage, so we built one.
Professionals deserve real education and respect
People still tell me they learned a technique, or how to manage their money, because of something we taught. That's the point. When professionals know more, their clients are better served.
Beauty and healthcare should work together
Your client sees you every few weeks. You may notice a change before anyone else. Stylists shouldn't diagnose, but they can notice, document, and refer. That partnership protects clients.
How I work with people
Down to earth, and honest with you
I listen first. I ask a lot of questions. When something needs to be said, I'll say it, kindly and directly. And I'll push you to know more and trust yourself more in your own role.
You can be candid with me. I've made the mistakes, run the payroll, and stood behind the chair for decades. Nothing you're facing will surprise me.
At a glance
Susan L. Peterkin
Senior Licensed Cosmetologist · Hair and Scalp Care Educator · Thought Leader
Founder of Jaha Hair Studio and Jaha Natural Hair Academy. Co-founder of the Natural Hair Industry Convention, S.T.R.A.N.D., and PeterKINdred Hair & Scalp Wellness Center. Based in Maryland.
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