Meet Jojo: A Guelph Hairstylist Who Cuts for the Person, Not the Trend

Looking for a hair salon in Guelph where you can show up exactly as you are? Meet Samantha Jo (Jojo), the resident hairstylist at Da Estrela Wellness. With almost 16 years behind the chair, Jojo has built a loyal clientele by doing one thing really well: listening first.

I sat down with Jojo to talk about how it all started, what makes a great haircut, and why the best style is the one that actually fits your life.

From backup plan to a 16-year career

Jojo didn't set out to become a hairdresser. College was a backup plan while figuring out the long game. But after graduating and landing a full-time job, the phone kept ringing with people asking to book hair appointments.

"Before I knew it, I had a growing clientele and realized this was something I truly loved," Jojo says.

Looking back, the signs were there all along. As a kid, Jojo loved doing everyone's hair, right down to a Barbie styling head with a Velcro strap that made her hair long again.

Sixteen years later, Jojo has been part of some big moments: first haircuts, weddings, graduations, and supporting clients through hair loss, then regrowth and reshaping as they start to feel like themselves again. Some of those clients are now friends.

A custom haircut and colour in Guelph, built around you

Jojo doesn't believe in one-size-fits-all hair. Every cut and colour starts with a conversation about four things:

• Your hair and how it naturally behaves
• Your lifestyle and schedule
• Your personality and personal style
• How much time you realistically want to spend styling and maintaining it

"For me, it's about listening first, creating together, and having you leave not only loving your hair, but hopefully feeling a little better about yourself too."

Trends should work for you, not the other way around

Ask Jojo what's in for cuts and colour right now and you'll get an honest answer: it depends on you.

After 16 years, Jojo has seen plenty of trends come and go. Some people chase a look that doesn't suit them. Others keep the same style for years because it simply works. Neither is wrong. What matters is fit.

That's why every appointment covers the practical questions most salons skip:

• How often do you want to come in for maintenance?
• How much effort will you put into styling at home?
• What does your day-to-day actually look like?

"There's no point giving someone a beautiful trending style if they don't have the time or desire to maintain it."

An LGBTQ+ friendly hair salon in Guelph

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Jojo knows what it feels like to walk into a space and wonder if you belong. Many of Jojo's clients have felt out of place or judged in traditional salon settings, and Jojo built this chair to be the opposite of that.

Whether your style is classic, bold, feminine, masculine, somewhere in between, or completely outside the box, you should feel comfortable asking for what makes you feel like you.

"You don't have to fit a mould to belong here."

What it's like to book with Jojo

Jojo plans every day around giving each client the time they deserve. Every head of hair is different, so appointments are booked with realistic timing, not squeezed together.

Jojo is also a parent, and a few years ago made a deliberate change to the schedule to make room for family. It meant some availability changed, but it also means the clients in Jojo's chair get someone who is present, focused, and not running on empty.

"Being a good business owner doesn't mean saying yes to everything. It's about giving the people I do have the best experience I can."

The payoff? "The most rewarding part is seeing someone smile and get their spark back after having their hair done."

The advice Jojo lives by

The best advice Jojo ever got: "Be the support you wish to receive."

It shows up in how Jojo treats clients, coworkers, and the next generation of stylists. Looking ahead, Jojo hopes to help young stylists build the confidence to create something of their own, while staying behind the chair for the loyal clients who have been coming back for years.

Frequently asked questions

Does Da Estrela Wellness offer hair services in Guelph? Yes. Along with registered massage therapy, Da Estrela Wellness offers haircuts and colour with Jojo, an experienced hairstylist with almost 16 years in the industry.

Is Da Estrela Wellness an LGBTQ+ friendly salon? Yes. Jojo is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has built a welcoming, judgment-free space where every client can express themselves through their hair.

How does Jojo choose the right cut or colour for me? Jojo starts with a conversation about your hair, lifestyle, personality, and how much time you want to spend on maintenance, then builds the look around those answers.

Do you serve clients outside Guelph? Yes. Clients visit from across Wellington County and nearby, including Fergus, Elora, Rockwood, Puslinch, Cambridge, and Kitchener-Waterloo.

Book your appointment with Jojo

Ready for a haircut or colour that fits your life? Book with Jojo at Da Estrela Wellness in Guelph.