J.T Hairpy is Bridging the Gap Between Hair Care and Mental Wellness for Black Women

Jherlynn Tims has always been big and bold- in personality, height, and head shape. Her head shape and circumference, as comical as it may seem, is an integral part of how her company, J.T Hairpy, began. 

As a Dayton native, Jherlynn attended all Black schools on the Westside of Dayton, so she’s always been steeped in Blackness and Black culture, which is a crucial part of the community that she serves. 

“You know that social experiment that asks at what age you had your first Black teacher?” Jherlynn asked. “Mine was kindergarten. I’ve been in all Black schools since 8th grade, then my mom got a new job and we packed up and moved to Clayton. Northmont is only 30% Black and was a culture shift, however my household remained black, my family remained black, my church remained black and my black foundations had already taken root. Here I am before you, black af.”

Jherlynn went on to attend the University of Cincinnati, where she received her Bachelor’s and is now completing her Masters in Social Work. 

The realization of trauma as a human experience, her love of hair and the anguish of trying to find wigs that fit her head comfortably are the catalysts that birthed J.T Hairpy.

“The idea of J.T. Hairpy began because my head is big. Literally 24 inches. 22 is the norm and 2 inches makes a huge difference when something is too small. I used to buy wigs out of the store but they never really fit, then I went to people for custom wigs and they never fit quite right either. Finally I decided to do it myself. Boom- one day, I made a whole wig. Wild.”

But Jherlynn’s love for hair creativity spans even further back than that. 

“It’s me braiding my Barbie’s hair, it’s my 7th grade science project where I tested different lighteners on hair, it’s me making clip in for my senior prom, it’s me teaching myself at 23 how to fix lace on wigs so I don’t have to buy a new closure, it’s countless YouTube videos and trials and errors, it’s me,” says Jherlynn. “I’ve always loved hair, so I guess it was inevitable.”

In terms of adding therapy to the brand, Jherlynn sees a unique opportunity and urgency in Black women, trauma and how they use beauty practices as a safe, uplifting space to express themselves. 

“There is so much more to Black people than trauma, but trauma is a very real part of our reality,” Jherlynn laments. “Trauma is a part of human existence, but there is a different type of trauma living in a world that was never designed for you to thrive. I think about how integral the hair experience has been in my life and how much the people that have done my hair know about me. Back in the day when we used to get micros and they took 15 hours, we used to have some deep conversations. Sitting between my moms thighs on Sunday nights we used to take time to connect. Heck, I’ve been going to the same hairdresser since I was 11, she probably knows more about me than most of my casual friends. She has kept more secrets than I’ve forgotten.”

The J.T portion of J.T Hairpy is also partly inspired by the “hairpy” her beautician has given her throughout the years while doing her hair, forging a deeper connection via advice, problem solving and hair care. 

“Heck, I’ve been going to the same hair dresser since I was 11, she probably knows more about me then most of my casual friends,” reminisces Jherlynn. “She has kept more secrets than I’ve forgotten. She was the first person to see my back tattoo and didn’t snitch to my mom on me, FOR YEARS. She’s the only person I let trim my ends for 14 years-that shows how much I trust her.” 

“Part of the reason I came up with J.T. Hairpy is because while my hair dresser is beyond awesome and has given me great advice and been a legendary sounding board for me throughout the years, imagine if she was also professionally trained to do that as well.Going to the hairdresser is like coming home.”

Combining the intersections of nostalgic Girlfriends camaraderie, hair care/beautification practices for Black women and mental health talk therapy that can only happen at the hair salon, J.T Hairpy was born. The public response and support since launching has been vast and crowd pleasing. 

“Elaine (real name J. T Star) is my partner-she was the first and only to invest in my business and still encourages me to this day,” said Jherlynn. 

“In terms of support, my mom is waiting on the sidelines with pom poms cheering me on in everything I do. It’s my cousin Shani buying the first wig I ever made,  it’s my sisters being some of my first customers. It’s my friend Amani being a great accountant and teaching me how to manage my money. It’s Christina giving me the tools to really make this thing a business. It’s my customer’s repeat and otherwise. It’s my friends sharing posts and recommending their friends come to me-it’s the love.”

J. T Hairpy offers a variety of services including wig customization, custom machine seen wigs, wig revitalization (deep conditioning), fixing holes in wig lace, custom coloring, wig repairs, etc. They also offer products to make wearing wigs easier, such as wig/edge scarves and headbands. 

Jherlynn’s future plans for J.T Hairpy include a hair therapy conference and cosmetology school after she gets her Master’s. 

“I know I am a glutton for punishment with more school, but hear me out-I really want to do hair therapy. I believe that is my next step in my process,” mused Jherlynn. “I also want to do a conference merging beauty and mental health for Black women with speakers and presentations in the near future.” 

Being a Black woman who takes care of herself and mental health is vital to Jherlynn-it lends itself to ancient practices and Black culture. Jherlynn is dedicated to making J.T Hairpy a sanctuary for Blck women to be their authentic selves and open up larger cultural conversations and solutions within the community. 

“Dayton is my community. I want my community to break out of this talking about what happened in the house outside of the house is a problem. That creates more trauma than you know,” said Jherlynn. “Keeping things that hurt you to yourself and not being able to process your trauma and get to healing. I also want us to break out of thinking you only need God. No,  you need some good coping skills too, sis.Therapy is for Black people too.” 

J. T Hairpy is poised to be a premier, innovative mental health/beauty service that not only serves Black women, but also renders itself as a platform to uplift and celebrate Black women while nurturing their resilience. 

“I see it as, if we love and take care of our hair we can love and take care of our soul and mind. It is not so much about beauty. It’s about reaching the people where they are,” declared Jherlynn. “My hairdresser knows me inside and out-imagine if she can heal me in the very same place as well.”

“Getting your hair done as a black woman is such a treat walking out that salon feeling brand new person. What if you also felt brand new and healed on the inside, or at least working on it? A place where you feel safe and seen inside and out.” 

“I love being a black woman. I think it uniquely positions me to see the world through two lenses. Having two marginalized identities has made me a kinder person, said Jherlynn. 

“I am able to see injustices and look at things through multiple perspectives. Not to mention being black is dope af. We lit over here, okay? It’s just something about the magic that comes out of our finger tips, that runs through our veins that makes you excited for community. It’s nothing like black sisterhood.”