Up Close With Jaye Edwards, O&M's New International Ambassador

Big news out of Australia: Jaye Edwards, founder of EdwardsAndCo., is now an International Ambassador for O&M, a producer of hair products that replaces harsh chemicals with active natural extracts and minerals.

"This partnership will allow me to take the next step in my career, working with O&M's clean color and kind haircare. O&M will support me in 2023 as part of an international education tour across the US and Europe, collaborating with some of the world's leading colorists," said Edwards, who is transitioning all nine EdwardsAndCo spaces to O&M salons. EdwardsAndCo currently has salons in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Noosa.

"Jaye’s unique view on the industry and ability to scale his salons has given rise to new teams and a cult following. We have watched Jaye pioneer the independent education movement and feel that the global growth of O&M and clean clean hair color becoming the norm, there are lots of synergies with our journeys and we are excited to see how Jaye will educate using O&M around the world, said Jose Bryce Smith, founder of O&M.

American Salon quickly caught up with Edwards to get the scoop on what he'll be doing in his new role.

AS: What will you be doing in your current role with O&M and what are you looking forward to the most?
Jaye Edwards:
I’ll be one of O&M's first International Ambassadors. My role will involve mastering the O&M color range, showing stylists around the globe how to get the best results and achieve any color. The challenge is what I’m most looking forward to, learning an entirely new range and using clean color - because why wouldn’t you? 

AS: Looking back at your five years with Redken, what were some of the greatest lessons you learned?
There isn’t one single lesson but I think the key to becoming a great colorist is really understanding the foundation of color, which Redken teaches better than most. For that alone I’m eternally grateful. 

AS: What are some of the trends you are seeing in salons today in terms of products offered?
Jaye Edwards:
 Clients are becoming more aware of what salons are using and the impacts it can have on the environment and the world around them. My most commonly asked question is "do they test on animals?" I also think product affordability is becoming more of a concern with the rise of TikTok's myth busters. 

AS: When it comes to being an educator, what are some of the key components that are necessary to be effective?
Jaye Edwards: 
I think the key component is always, no matter what, having a "why" to your "how." People need to understand why you do what you do. Just doing is not enough. 

People also have to be able to relate to you in some way. So keeping it real - and I mean real - showing your mistakes and how you fix them will keep people coming back every time!

AS: What are some tips you can share with someone who is just starting out who wants to have a career with good brands, while retaining their entrepreneurial spirit?
Jaye Edwards: 
Stay true to who you are. If there is a brand you want to work with, don’t wait for them to approach you. Everything should always be on paper no matter how small the agreement. If you aren’t happy, talk about it. Uncomfortable chats last for minutes but results last years.