Shear Determination: How Jamie Miee Built a Business and a Home in Tewksbury

From Cambodia to Tewksbury: Jamie Miee Introduces Hair by Jamie

Ten years ago, Jamie Miee never imagined she’d one day own a hair salon. An admitted introvert who once dreaded talking to strangers, Jamie has transformed both her career and herself, opening Hair by Jamie in Tewksbury after years of experience and preparation. “I was scared of talking to people,” she said with a laugh. “Becoming a hairdresser changed me from an introvert to an extrovert.”

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At 16 years old, Jamie came from Cambodia to the United States with her family. In Cambodia, she had completed high school, but had no further schooling. Her father, who had opened a hair salon in Lowell, was the key figure in her journey to becoming a hairstylist. After he suggested hair school to her, she enrolled in 2017. “I began attending hair school and I started loving it,” she recounted. “Now, I’ve been doing it for about eight years. I love what I’m doing and I’m glad I chose it.”

Cutting a New Path Toward Small Business Ownership

Although opening her own salon had long been a goal, Jamie Miee said she waited until she felt ready to take the leap into business ownership. “I was just waiting for the right time,” Jamie said. “Meaning that I am ready to stand on my own, to serve the clients with confidence.”

When the opportunity finally came, however, she felt more than ready to take on the challenge. Jamie found a location for her future salon within two weeks, turning what she described as an “impulsive thought” into reality. While the decision came together in a matter of weeks, the process of opening the salon proved far more demanding.

The space that would become Hair by Jamie was an empty storefront, requiring Jamie to build the business from the ground up. She spent nearly a year overseeing renovations, securing permits and licenses, and navigating the financial challenges that came with paying rent before the salon officially opened. “It took a whole year getting everything together,” Jamie said. “Everything from scratch.” In addition to managing construction and paperwork, Jamie enrolled at Quinsigamond Community College for entrepreneurship to better understand the legal and financial responsibilities of owning a business.

Looking back, Jamie said the experience pushed her well beyond the skills she learned in cosmetology school. Between construction, budgeting and business planning, opening Hair by Jamie marked a professional milestone, but also taught an important lesson in perseverance.

Igniting Roots in the Tewksbury Community

For Jamie Miee, opening Hair by Jamie in Tewksbury was about staying connected to the community that had already supported her throughout her career. “My client base is here in Tewksbury,” Jamie said. “I care about them. If I build a new salon too far away, it will be hard for them to follow me.”

Many of her longtime clients already lived in town, while others were willing to make the drive from neighboring communities, making Tewksbury the natural place to open her first salon. Since opening, Jamie said the community has embraced the business, with many new clients coming through word-of-mouth recommendations. She credits Tewksbury’s close-knit atmosphere for helping her establish relationships with both longtime and first-time customers.

“Everybody knows everybody,” she said. “Word of mouth is great for the business, but it’s also good for me personally.”

While business has had its busy and slow days, Jamie said she has been grateful for the support she has received from local residents as she continues to grow. For her, becoming part of the Tewksbury community has been just as rewarding as opening the salon itself.

Creating Confidence One Cut at a Time

For Jamie Miee, the overall salon experience is just as important as the haircut, coloring, or wax. She said her goal is to create an environment where every client feels welcomed, heard and confident from the moment they walk through the door. “I want clients to feel welcome,” Jamie said. “You don’t feel like you don’t belong here. Everyone belongs here.”

She understands that many clients arrive with anxiety after disappointing experiences at other salons, making communication and trust an important part of every appointment. That emphasis on creating a comfortable environment extends to clients of all ages.

Longtime client and Tewksbury Select Board member John Lombardo said he brought his four-year-old son to Hair by Jamie after two previous hairstylists had been unable to cut his hair without tears. “We’ve known Jamie for about five years now, and she’s always been really friendly and nice,” he said. “She was the first one to cut our son’s hair without him crying. We’d tried twice before, and he would cry and get fussy, but she was the first one who was able to do it.” Rather than focusing solely on the finished hairstyle, Jamie said she takes time to listen to each client’s expectations and work with them to achieve the look they envision. “I’m not only giving them the haircut,” she said. “I’m giving them a good feeling too.”

Lombardo reflected on how he feels after getting his hair cut by Jamie. “I feel great,” he said. “I enjoy her haircuts. She’s really friendly and someone my wife and I love coming to.”

Looking ahead, Jamie hopes to continue growing Hair by Jamie by welcoming additional hairstylists and expanding the salon’s services to include head spa treatments. As the business grows, however, she hopes the welcoming atmosphere that inspired her vision remains at the heart of every client experience.

Those looking for a new haircut or new look can find Jamie at 1875 Main Street in Tewksbury, visit her website at hairbyjamie.vip, or schedule an appointment by calling (978) 394-5680.

About Kim Tauro ’28

Kim Tauro ’28 is a Tewksbury resident and Austin Prep student with a strong interest in sports journalism. Her work includes “Three Goals, Two Brothers, One Team,” featuring Austin Prep hockey players Mason and Logan McGovern; “Alex Herbert Reaches 1,000 Saves, Anchors Austin Prep Hockey,” featuring goaltender Alex Herbert; “Fope Ayo Takes a Shot at Division I Basketball,” featuring University of Michigan commit Fope Ayo; and a profile of Austin Prep boys basketball coach Sean Ryan. Kim received honorable mention in the 2026 Will McDonough Sports Journalism Contest and is a member of Austin Prep’s Sports Operations Club.

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This story was contributed by Austin Prep, a Patch Community Partner. The views shared reflect the author’s perspective and feature real experiences from the Austin Prep community.