Twenty-four hours in the life of Nick Stenson, the artistic creative director for JCPenney Salons and artistic director for Matrix.
5:30 a.m. I wake up, do some cardio, then have a double espresso. 8 a.m. I arrive at JCPenney’s corporate office in Dallas to print my schedule and review my day. 8:30 a.m. Let the meetings begin! This morning, it’s a meeting with a key vendor partner. 9:30 a.m. I head to a meeting with consumer press about the latest trends as well as the exciting things we’re doing at JCP Salons. 10:30 a.m. Next, I’ll rally with my in-house team for the next issue of our new magazine called Expert Edge. Then I meet with the 30-person production team about concepts and next steps for “Live with Nick Stenson,” my JCPenney-produced show shot in our own studios, which airs to all JCP Salon associates. 11:45 a.m. Next I take a few prescheduled phone interviews with editors from trade and consumer publications. 12:30 p.m. I plan for upcoming photo shoots in New York City such as a cover shoot for an industry publication and a spread for Expert Edge. 1:30 p.m. I meet with my PR team about talking points for an upcoming talk show. I loved working with Kathy Lee and Hoda on “Today” and talking about trends on morning shows in Las Vegas and Miami. People are interested to learn about trends, products from Matrix and the offerings of JCP Salons. 2:30 p.m. I start prepping for an upcoming industry stage presentation at a national hair show. I get the privilege of standing on stages across America to demonstrate the latest Matrix product launches and trend techniques. 3:30 p.m. I visit a Dallas salon! I love visiting our JCPenney stores across the country to hear firsthand what life is like behind the chair. 4:30 p.m. I’m out the door to the airport again and fit in calls from my social media and branding team. 6 p.m. I catch a flight to Miami for the upcoming JCP Salon trend books. Twice a year, my team and I create and teach a portfolio of new styles, cuts and colors. We produce two 64-page, hardcover books—one consumer-facing, the other stylist-facing. With training modules, videos and hands-on education, we’re teaching and training our 12,000 associates nationwide to elevate the beauty quotient of America. 9 p.m. I arrive in Miami, where I catch a nightcap with my waiting JCP Salon Creative Team. I’m thrilled to be able to work with some of the best minds in the beauty business. ✂ As told to Kelley Donahue