Jillians shines in Bennie Pollard’s spotlight

PRINCETON — When Jill Cumpton opened Jillians Hair Design on Princeton’s South Main Street a few years ago, the underlying mission of the salon was to provide individualized and pampered care to the clients who walked through the door.

Five years later, that mission has not changed. In fact, Cumpton and those who work with her in the salon have taken that mission to another level, and second-generation salon owner and hairdresser Bennie Pollard of Louisville, Ky., who has his own line of beauty products dubbed “BennieFactor,” has noticed the salon’s commitment to not just service but also to its customers.

Recently, Jillians Hair Design was the winner in a contest, which focused on BennieFactor sales. Because the salon had the highest BennieFactor sales, Pollard made a visit to Princeton.

“Because we had the highest sales, he came into our salon and conducted our own style party,” Cumpton said, adding Pollard’s philosophies have helped “change the trajectory” of the Princeton salon. During the style party which included more than 60 party-goers, Cumpton said Pollard gave people some practical suggestions on hair styling tips and more.

Cumpton said Jillians’ mission is in line with Pollard’s/BennieFactor’s philosophy, which is extremely service oriented and intent on pampering guests at the salon. Having Pollard in-house, as well as going to Louisville with her staff for follow-up training, has helped develop Jillians’ customer-service driven work ethic even more.

“It’s given us some systems and scripts to put those things in place — a way of elevating our game,” Cumpton said. “It also means everybody conducts themselves in the same way; it’s a way of branding ourselves. We’re really trying to separate ourselves from the crowd.

“It was already our spirit and our philosophy, but (following Pollard’s guidelines and philosophies) gave us some organized fashion to make this happen. He gave us a practical guide to work with,” Cumpton added.

A trip to Jillians Hair Design does just that ... Customers enjoy everything from seasonal aroma therapy essential oils added to the shampoo, to warm stone face massages, to scented candles and more ...

“When you come through the front door, we want to deliver something that is unexpected,” she said, adding the entire staff has embraced the opportunity to pamper their customers.

“It’s amazing. Everybody I have on staff has the same spirit,” Cumpton said. “We know we have the opportunity to change everybody’s day. That’s what I preach. We want you to not only look better, but we want to change your day. We want you to look better and feel better.”

Jillians Hair Design offers a full-service salon, including hair, nails, shellac, a full line of make-up and more. The salon also regularly holds its own style parties, where customers can come to learn different tips about styling their own hair. Those events are coupled with wine and cheese, discounts, surprises — all conducted in a fun, relaxing, ladies-night-out atmosphere.

For more information on Jillians Hair Design, call 815-872-0600.

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