Jessica Walker is a successful business owner, entrepreneur and beauty and wellness expert who owns J Walker Salon Group in New Jersey. Jessica opened her business at the tender age of 19 and has grown the enterprise from one small salon to four locations offering upscale beauty and wellness services, along with a bridal and event business. She has appeared on FOX News, News 12 New Jersey, Chasing News, NJ. COM, and New Jersey Monthly. Most recently, Jessica was named one of the “Best Fifty Women in Business” for 2021 by NJ BIZ for her impact on the business and community at large in the Garden State.

A committed and involved community activist, Jessica has been donating her personal time and business resources to a wide variety of charitable organizations for more than two decades. While beauty and wellness are her professions, Jessica’s true passion is helping people and bringing joy to those around her. She is a gifted speaker possessing a natural ability to inspire and uplift others with her words and actions. Jessica has five children and lives in Far Hills. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys working out, reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband, Chuck, and extended family at the Jersey Shore

 ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND ABOUT JESSICA WALKER

Career Accomplishments
Jessica Walker is a dynamic business leader and the sole owner / president of the J Walker Salon Group of Bernardsville, Basking Ridge and Mendham. Jessica started her business in 1997, at the age of 19, and with vision, hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit, she has grown the business from one location employing four staff to a full-service beauty and wellness enterprise employing approximately 70 people across four locations. Jessica has built a multi-million dollar business over nearly 25 years employing doctors, aestheticians, cosmetologists, business and support staff at J Walker Salons and Wellness Center. Most recently, Jessica launched her own skincare brand which is available in-store and online.

Jessica has been a featured speaker and ambassador for national beauty brands; featured speaker for women’s business leadership organizations, including BIG and Awaken; often interviewed on beauty industry, business and entrepreneurial programs and podcasts.

Awards
J Walker Salon Group has been the winner of numerous industry awards and distinctions such as: NJ BIZ, Best of the Knot, Wedding Wire, New Jersey Life A-List and more…

Leadership
Jessica Walker is a natural leader who has directed the exponential growth of the J Walker Salon Group for nearly 25 years. Her business has overcome numerous challenges including 9/11; the Great Recession of 2008; Hurricane Sandy and the current pandemic.

She has served on the Boards of the local Chamber of Commerce and is a former President and current member of the Somerset Hills Business Association.

While championing small business throughout her career, Jessica’s response to the pandemic took this activism to another level. While implementing the strictest protocols for the health and safety of her clients and staff, Jessica lobbied Governor Murphy to allow salons and other small businesses to reopen. As the voice for salons, she took her message to major media and was interviewed by FOX News, News 12 and others.

Vision
Jessica Walker wants to change the way people see beauty. The J Walker Salon tagline, “When your outer looks good, your inner feels better,” is a philosophy that captures her viewpoint. Jessica believes that she and her team have a platform to work closely with people to create confidence, happiness and special moments. This was especially apparent following the pandemic, as Jessica and her staff helped people look and feel their best as they re-entered the workplace.

Community Service
Giving back has always been part of Jessica’s Walker personal life and a core component of the J Walker Salon Group philosophy. Jessica leads a team that is motivated by more than hair, makeup, or aesthetics…they’ve used their talents and skills to support so many charitable causes. With Jessica leading the way as a civic and community leader, J Walker has become a pillar in the community for nearly 25 years. The following are just some of the organizations supported by Jessica Walker:

Heartworks—Board Member of organization dedicated to supporting local residents experiencing grief, illness or trauma.

Diva for a Day—Board Member of organization offering quiet days of beauty, relaxation and support for women and children battling cancer.

St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Dress for Success, Susan G. Komen, Bernard’s High School, Beauty Changes Lives, Raritan Valley Community College, Communities in Crisis, CASA New Jersey …and countless others by donating gift baskets and certificates for events, raffles, etc. 

Mentoring
Jessica Walker has spent her entire career mentoring her employees and is a driver for motivation, excitement and excellence. She has worked and trained/educated hundreds of staff and individuals to achieve their goals, both professionally and personally. She works with people to set goals, create vision and achieve success.

Jessica Walker’s love of mentoring and helping others has inspired her to pursue personal coaching, which will likely play a large role in her life and in the lives of those she works with in the future.

JESSICA WALKER’S THOUGHTS AND ADVICE ON INNOVATION

Jessica Walker believes in “everyday innovation” to achieve business goals. Not all people are inventors or launching something entirely new; however, all businesspeople face challenges every day and can overcome challenges/problems by implementing new strategies and processes to become successful. Viewing those challenges through a lens of everyday innovation can be inspiring and motivating factors that fuel success.