Beauty Begins Here

by Stephanie Struyck Elgin

Two friends shared a vision-to start up a company for hairdressers, helping them provide tools of success for hair care professionals and the entire beauty industry.  With only $700 of borrowed money, they established a partnership, which eventually became known as John Paul Mitchell Systems®.  
In 1980, John Paul DeJoria and Paul Mitchell decided to launch their professional hair care system around a revolutionary new styling method, hair sculpting.  This led to the new styling product, Hair Sculpting Lotion.  With their borrowed money, they began marketing their products under the brand name Paul Mitchell® as Paul Mitchell was the hairdresser of the two.
Nearly 30 years later, when you think of hair products and brand names, one name always comes to mind…Paul Mitchell.  Today, John Paul Mitchell Systems has annual salon retail sales of nearly $900 million.  The company produces over 90 products and all hair and skin products are manufactured within the United States.  Products are shipped and sold worldwide.
And all these products are shipped, right here from Santa Clarita.   Located in Centre Pointe, John Paul Mitchell Systems is the hub where products are distributed worldwide.  The 175,000 square foot building covers everything from purchasing, accounting, IT support where their websites are maintained, managing their signature salon programs, even including a test salon.   “The building is broken up into four basic buildings,” states Vice President of Operations, Erik Pedersen.  “The main building is where the non-flammable products are stored.  We also have the oxidizers and bleach developers in one room with aerosol storage in another.” 
At Paul Mitchell Systems, they believe in helping the environment as much as possible.  In their efforts to go green, they have designed the skylights between the rafters to provide natural lighting as well as have motion sensored lights to conserve energy when needed. 
 And while most of the 175,000 square feet is used for products, the building is also equipped with a gym and game room for employees.  “We have around 80 employees here,” states Erik.  “And John Paul treats his employees well.  They have a flexible work schedule, where they are able to work from home one day a week.   Lunch is also provided on a daily basis with Tuesdays and Thursdays being more of a family style luncheon.” 
And family they are.  In the reception area, there is a family tree, where they showcase their employees who have been with John Paul Mitchell Systems for over five years.  “They each have a leaf with the dates of hire.  There is bronze, silver, gold and platinum, platinum representing 20 years plus of service. Francisco Valencia was the first employee working for the company and still continues to work for us.”
Although Paul Mitchell tragically died of pancreatic cancer in 1989, the dream of the two partners has continued to flourish.   John Paul DeJoria continues to guide the company with its original vision, to help provide the tools necessary for success in the beauty industry.