When you enter H Salon the first feeling that comes to mind is welcoming. You will be warmly greeted by Peter or Sam and you may even ask yourself if you know them from another time. H Salon heralded “CT Best Hair Salon”, is a place where positivity, artistry, and pampering beautifully intertwine.
Marisa Fearon and Jackie Fernandes, co-owners of H Salon have worked together for over 30 years. Marisa began her career studying in London with Vidal Sassoon at the Advanced Academy. She wanted advanced training and at that time London was the hair styling hub and she learned from the very best in the industry. At age 24 she came back to the U.S. and opened up her own salon in Westport.
At a young age, Jackie had a passion for hair. She worked at a friend’s salon and once she graduated high school, she went straight to hairdressing school. Upon graduation from hairdressing school, she started her career with Marisa at the Westport Salon.
Jackie expressed an interest in becoming an owner. So when Marisa grew out of her space in Westport, H Salon in Fairfield was born and Jackie came aboard as a partner. Marisa and Jackie share the same work ethic and family values; both are genuine and kind, so they knew they were a perfect fit. Also, they share a love for their industry, love doing hair, and love making people feel good about themselves!
In 2018 Marisa and Jackie went to London together to study with Mark Woolly, a celebrated figure in the hairdressing community whose expert knowledge is regularly requested for television, radio, and leading publications across the globe. Mark is an award-winning hairstylist, international creative director, and the entrepreneurial force behind the exclusive Electric brand which H Salon carries. H Salon offers clients the most natural, safest, non-toxic hair care products from sustainable, environmentally-conscious companies that also dedicate funding towards charitable causes.
During the pandemic, Jackie and Marisa regularly met for outside walks. They would video themselves and put their footage on H Salon’s social media so clients could follow the latest salon updates. Also, they used this extra time to explore their creativity along with portrait photographer Marta Muryn. An example of this collaboration is pictured below.
Marisa and Jackie applaud their H Salon team; each member has their own uniqueness and talent that contributes to the continued success of the salon. H Salon stylist Shealyn Rossetti states, “I love waking up every day and coming to work. They make coming to work fun! There’s no other place I’d rather be.”
Marisa explains her clients give her the gift of positivity. Being positive also takes work and effort; Marisa is up at 6:00 am for a weekly positivity call, “Morning Mindset on the Daily Drive with Denise” hosted by client Denise DiGrigoli. Marisa posts a positivity calendar at work for employees to read, simple daily tasks one can all accomplish: “call a friend or family member;” “allow space for you to take a break for one hour;” and “people need your good energy, make a conscious effort to smile more today.”
Jackie’s clients inspire her each day to make their experience one of a kind. She also continues to focus on the latest trends and fashion in the industry. Growth and education in the hair industry are very important to Jackie and Marisa.
Marisa is also blessed with another gift, her husband who works at the salon helps the salon unconditionally.
Being in the business for as long as Marisa has allows her to be a part of her client’s most precious moments. She has clients that she styled for their weddings and then got to give the couple’s first child’s haircut and watch the child grow and then style for their wedding! The trust that comes with these client relationships is very special to Jackie and Marisa.
H Salon is truly a special space occupied by a team with an inner beauty that works hard to ensure each client walks out of the salon with outer beauty and a sense of positivity. As Marisa explains “It’s so much more than hair.”
Sherri Bartley Rivera
Sherri Bartley Rivera and Jean Rossi Wergeles, co-founders of Fairfield County Lifestyle, are honored to be contributing writers to “In a Fairfield Minute.” Jean and Sherri interview inspiring local entrepreneurs, with a focus on female-run businesses, all over Fairfield County and share their stories on Instagram, Facebook and their website. Their objective is to showcase local businesses with a focus on wellness, positivity and community. They also strongly believe in giving back to the community and use their social media platform to donate to local organizations such as nOURish Bridgeport and the Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport.
Sherri is a proud graduate of UConn with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science. She has a passion for business and a keen interest in the people that make businesses succeed. She is V.P. of Sales at Bartley Manufacturing Co, a third-generation family business located in Waterbury, CT. She is an Education Ambassador with Channel News 12 and enjoys reporting weekly on the status of being a mom with kids in school. Also, she has a deep appreciation for the arts, music, good food (she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie her niece will attest to!), fitness and nature.
Sherri has appeared in national and regional commercials on TV, the internet and print. She resides in Fairfield with her husband Greg and three teenagers, JR, Dean and Anastasia.
Jean graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.A. in Journalism. After living in Manhattan she and her husband moved back to Fairfield County to raise their kids. She started her career in advertising then moved on to corporate communications fornonprofit organizations. She has written for local publications such as CT Family Today, Fairfield Magazine andWhofish.org. She currently works in cause-related marketing for Jammin’ Hammer Jewelry. Jean volunteers for local philanthropies, is on the board of the Joel Barlow PTSA and is an active memberof Easton/Redding National Charity League.Jean has lived in Easton for 19 years with her husband, John, and their three teenagers, Hannah, Luke & Sarah.
If you have any interest in featuring your business with us please contact us at sherri@fairfieldctylifestyle.com. We look forward to sharing inspiring stories about the amazing people in our community with you!
