Janet Kammer is a hairstylist, salon owner, mentor, and visionary behind The Shear Purpose, a movement dedicated to supporting stylists through education, wellness, mentorship, and leadership. With years behind the chair and a deep passion for helping others thrive, Janet believes success in the beauty industry should never come at the expense of health, purpose, or personal fulfillment.

As the owner of Shear Gravity and co-creator of The Shear Purpose, Janet has built her career around empowering beauty professionals to create sustainable, profitable, and heart-centered careers. Her work blends advanced technical education, business development, stylist wellness, and personal growth, helping professionals at every stage of their journey build confidence both behind the chair and beyond it.

Driven by the belief that stylists are whole humans—not just service providers—Janet is creating spaces where beauty professionals can learn, heal, connect, and lead. Through mentorship programs, workshops, retreats, and community initiatives, she is committed to redefining what longevity and success look like in the beauty industry. This vision is the foundation of The Shear Purpose: supporting stylists from the inside out through wellness, wisdom, and the why behind the work.  

Co-Founder | Industry Educator | Mentor | Wellness Coach

For more than 34 years, Nikki Strauss has lived her life behind the chair, first as a passionate stylist serving clients, and later as an industry educator shaping the next generation of professionals. Her career is grounded in strong technical foundations, precision, and deep respect for the craft, but it is the human connection within the work that has always mattered most to her.

Throughout her decades in the industry, Nikki has formed some of the deepest and most meaningful relationships of her life through hairdressing. She believes the space between stylist and client is sacred – a place of trust, transformation, and genuine connection. That same sense of care and commitment is what led her to teaching, where she discovered a profound calling to support, guide, and advocate for students and emerging stylists.

Nikki’s work extends far beyond technical excellence. As a wellness coach, she is deeply devoted to physical, emotional, and mental well-being within the beauty industry, and to helping stylists build careers that are not only successful, but sustainable. Having witnessed injury, exhaustion, and burnout impact too many talented professionals, she is passionate about equipping stylists at every stage of their journey with tools to honor their bodies, protect their energy, and work with intention.

She holds a special place in her heart for new graduates, recognizing the vulnerable transition between school and salon as one of the most critical moments in a stylist’s career. Nikki is committed to creating a supportive bridge during this time – one that builds confidence, skill, self-trust, and longevity. Her mission is to guide stylists toward not just a job, but a prosperous, fulfilling career rooted in respect for their craft and their bodies.

As a co-founder of Shear Purpose, Nikki brings decades of experience, heartfelt mentorship, and a wellness-centered vision to a movement dedicated to education, connection, and sustainability—so no stylist ever feels alone on their path.

Founder Philosophy

“The work we do is deeply human. When we honor the connection, the craft, and our bodies, we create careers that are meaningful, sustainable, and fulfilling.”

Patricia Westra is an experienced education leader, licensed cosmetologist, and Campus Director with a strong track record of driving student success and operational excellence across career-focused institutions. Currently serving as Campus Director at Colorado Media School, Patricia brings a well-rounded leadership approach shaped by years of experience in education, financial aid, admissions, and multi-campus management.

Throughout her career, Patricia has held senior leadership roles including School Executive Director at Stacey James Institute and Campus Director at Xenon Academy, where she successfully led cross-functional teams spanning education, admissions, financial aid, customer service, and operations. She has overseen all aspects of campus management, including compliance, payroll, human resources, student relations, and state and federal regulatory requirements.

Known for her “firm but fair” leadership style, Patricia sets clear expectations while adapting her approach to support individual growth and team performance. She is passionate about creating structured, student-centered environments that foster engagement, accountability, and long-term success.

In addition to her leadership experience, Patricia has a background as a stylist and salon manager, giving her a unique, hands-on understanding of the industries she serves. This foundation allows her to connect authentically with both staff and students while maintaining a strong focus on outcomes and career readiness.