Beauty Meets Sustainability: The Future of Clean, Conscious Salons with Jacquelyn Rodriguez, Enlightened Styles
At The Wild Party Podcast, we love showcasing entrepreneurs who are making a difference in the world through sustainable and ethical business practices. In this episode, we were thrilled to speak with Jacquelyn Rodriguez, founder of Enlightened Styles and The Holistic Salon Academy. Jacquelyn is not just redefining beauty—she’s creating an eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and low-toxic salon experience that’s transforming the industry.
Jacquelyn’s holistic approach focuses on clean beauty, sustainability, and conscious self-care. In our conversation, she shared her journey from hairstylist to eco-conscious entrepreneur, the challenges of sourcing non-toxic beauty products, and how she’s empowering other salon owners to create impactful businesses.
The Birth of Enlightened Styles
Enlightened Styles, located in Warrenton, Virginia, is not your typical salon. Thirteen years ago, Jacquelyn recognized a lack of clean and sustainable options in the beauty industry. After struggling to find professional-grade products free of harmful chemicals, she decided to build her own eco-conscious salon from the ground up.
“It wasn’t easy,” Jacquelyn recalls. “I had to do a lot of trial and error—testing products on myself, my family, and my loyal clients. It took years to find products that were safe, sustainable, and high-performing.”
Her persistence paid off. Today, Enlightened Styles is a pioneer in clean beauty and holistic wellness, offering personalized, one-on-one services that prioritize the well-being of clients and the planet.
A Sacred Space for Transformation
Beyond clean beauty, Jacquelyn has created a sacred, calming space in her salon. Every service is intentionally designed to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
One of the most unique offerings at Enlightened Styles is the Hair Ceremony, where haircuts become a deeply spiritual experience. The ceremony involves journaling, energy work, and conscious cutting, helping clients release emotions and embrace new beginnings.
“Our hair holds energy,” Jacquelyn explains. “In many cultures, hair is sacred. During the Hair Ceremony, we cut with intention, allowing clients to release what no longer serves them and connect with something greater.”
Sustainability at Its Core
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at Enlightened Styles—it’s a way of life. The salon is a certified Green Circle Salon, meaning it recycles or repurposes almost all waste, from hair clippings to used foils and leftover hair color. Jacquelyn even partners with local farms to compost hair, enriching the soil and reducing waste.
“Most people don’t realize how much waste salons generate,” Jacquelyn notes. “We’re trying to change that by adopting innovative solutions and educating our clients.”
Another standout feature of the salon is its refillery system, which allows clients to refill their favorite products using glass or aluminum bottles. This reduces plastic waste and helps clients save money.
Balancing Business and Values
Running a sustainable business in a competitive industry isn’t always easy. Jacquelyn acknowledges the difficulty of balancing personal values with profitability but emphasizes the importance of staying true to her mission.
“Once I got clear on my values, it became easier to align my business with them,” she says. “Education is key. When clients understand why we do what we do, they appreciate it—and they’re willing to support it.”
Empowering Other Salon Owners
Recognizing the demand for clean beauty, Jacquelyn launched The Holistic Salon Academy, a year-long group coaching program for salon owners. The academy offers mindset coaching, business systems, and resources to help others create sustainable, profitable businesses.
“There’s a growing demand for conscious consumerism,” Jacquelyn says. “People want businesses that stand for something more than just profit. My mission is to help other salon owners meet that demand while staying true to their values.”
Looking to the Future
Jacquelyn is excited about the innovation happening in the beauty industry. From sustainable product packaging to energy-efficient solutions, she sees endless possibilities for growth.
“The beauty industry is finally catching up with food and wellness,” she says. “Conscious consumers are demanding cleaner, healthier options—and businesses that adapt will thrive.”
Final Thoughts
Jacquelyn’s story is a testament to the power of aligning business with purpose. By creating a holistic, sustainable salon, she’s helping clients feel beautiful—inside and out—while protecting the planet.
If you’re interested in learning more about Enlightened Styles or The Holistic Salon Academy, you can connect with Jacquelyn on her website at enlightenstyles.com and cleanbeautybiz.com
🎧 Be sure to check out Jacquelyn’s podcast, The Impactful Salon Owners Podcast, for more insights on running a conscious business.
