Jimmy Valdon Jackson - Fabian Ledgister

By: Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter

In every dark cloud lies a silver lining. Not many people can imagine any positive coming from the death of their father, but Jimmy Jackson, owner of Shaun's Beauty and Barber Salon, admitted that it was this tragedy that pushed him into a happy career in beauty care.

According to Jackson, if it had not been for the financial difficulties that arose from his father's death, he would have been sent overseas to further his studies in auto mechanics.

"Auto mechanics was my first preference, and I had a great interest in motor vehicles. I remember the passion started from a specific car ... there was this six cylinder Ford Capri that I always liked. It pushed me into mechanics," said Jackson.

Born in rural Westmoreland, Jackson says that he lived a humble, but by no means impoverished life.

Mechanical ambitions

"I lived an ordinary life. My father was a hard-working man, and he made sure I had everything I needed ... He supported my ambition to become an auto mechanic," Jackson said.

A graduate of Sir Clifford Campbell Primary, Savanna-La-Mar Secondary High, and in 1977, Charlie Smith Comprehensive, Jackson was sent to the German Auto Mechanic School shortly after his high-school graduation.

After graduating from the auto school in 1979, Jackson's father had plans for him to go to England, to further his studies in the field. This move never came to pass though, as tragedy struck in 1983 when his father died.

"It was a shocker. He was my supporter, and aside from my grief, the reality of no more father, mean seh man afi provide fi himself," said Jackson.

With no means of support, Jackson bid a reluctant goodbye to his former field, and took a job at a barber salon called, 'Webb's Barber Salon,' located at two South Odeon Avenue, in Half-Way Tree. It was then that Jackson realised he also had a love for the field of grooming.

"The mechanical field definitely have more money, but due to how life went when I lost my father, I had to resort to this 100 per cent," Jackson said.

"I learnt a lot there, and eventually began running the business. I give respect to the owner, Vinroy Webb, who allowed me to operate his business, so I gained the experience to run my own place," said Jackson.

SHAUN'S OPENS

After making enough money to do so, in 1995, Jackson launched out on his own, acquiring a shop in the premiere, Village Plaza on Constant Spring Road.

"We opened in 1995, and it's been a pushing fight ever since that day," said Jackson

The former mechanic says his amicable personality has set a precedence among staff, that to this day gives his business a family-type at-mosphere.

Staff member Camille King says it is the best place she has ever worked, adding that she often forgets she is working when at the salon.

"It's great here, because you're comfortable. We (employees) are here for long hours and even though we are here for long, its ok, because you're comfortable, and the rest of people are pretty comfortable to be around," said King.

Jackson referred to a group of clients as "Sunday customers," as they religiously came on Sundays, just to chat, laugh, and of course, get groomed during the fun.

"Sundays are the best days to be at Shaun's. My Sunday customers don't miss it for the world ... It's a jovial time, and everybody is like family," said Jackson.

Although Jackson says he plans to expand his business when finances allow, he promises all his clients, and 'Sunday customers,' that Shaun's will always remain the "home away from home," that it is now.