Photo credit: Fumihiko Eguchi

As a student at Paul Mitchell Academy in Colorado Springs, Jeremy McDougle attended Paul Mitchell’s annual event in Las Vegas. The salon group Lunatic Fringe (12 locations) played a major role in the event and McDougle was impressed. So impressed, in fact, that he pursued the salon for employment after he graduated cosmetology school.

He ended up working for the salon at one of their Salt Lake City locations, and in 2013, entered NAHA for the first time in the Newcomer category.

Below, we chat with Jeremy about his NAHA success. (NAHA is produced by the Professional Beauty Association. Learn more at about these prestigious awards at probeauty.org/NAHA)

AVEDA MEANS BUSINESS: Who encouraged you/what motivated you to enter NAHA?

Jake Thompson and Fumihiko Eguchi. Jake owns the Sugarhouse location I work at and Fumi is the creative director. I would assist them on their NAHA submissions—like salon team (Lunatic Fringe won in this category in 2013, too). They talked to me about shooting my own collection. So I worked with Fumi, who photographed my collection for me in 2013. Then I collaborated with our make-up artist, who wanted to create really beautiful, Japanese-type images.

AVEDA MEANS BUSINESS: Was this your first time entering? Were you apprehensive?

It was my first time entering solo. I was totally nervous and intimidated, and always thought somebody else would win—I didn’t feel like I’d ever win. I just entered because I had taken the photos. I didn’t even expect to get nominated.

All NAHA images/photos are copyright © of the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) and the Professional Beauty Association (PBA). All rights reserved.

AVEDA MEANS BUSINESS: How did winning NAHA help your career?

More than anything, it’s a confidence boost—at least for me. I’ve always been my own biggest critic, so to have someone else tell you your stuff is good is kind of cool.

AVEDA MEANS BUSINESS: Where do you see yourself in another five years?

Lunatic Fringe has created an advanced academy. And although I’d always like to be behind the chair, I want to get involved in more education as well. I’ll still be with Lunatic, but work more in education.

AVEDA MEANS BUSINESS: Will you enter again?

Hopefully you’ll see my photos this year in the Contemporary Classic category.

AVEDA MEANS BUSINESS: What advice would you offer as someone entering NAHA for the first time?

Just enter. I think you can think of a million reasons why you shouldn’t, but the more you do it, the better you get.

AVEDA MEANS BUSINESS: What’s the biggest mistake a NAHA newbie makes in their entry?

Letting someone influence your vision. You do your best work when it’s your idea, your vision. If you let others get too involved, it gets so watered down it’s not your image anymore.

Photo credit: Fumihiko Eguchi

AVEDA MEANS BUSINESS: What was your favorite aspect of putting together your NAHA entry?

My collection is a lot of updos, which I don’t do very often. I spent two or three months creating the perfect ponytail. It was so annoying doing it, but once we saw the final photos it was totally worth it. A perfect ponytail isn’t as easy as it looks.

AVEDA MEANS BUSINESS: How do you stay creative? What inspires you?

For me, seeing contemporary, clean lines is the most creative understanding of hair. I don’t understand avant garde—my mind doesn’t work like that. I love pure, clean, lines. Understanding how to do that better is how to be creative for me. I want to understand face shape to know when to do that kind of hair and how to make it look good. I love the minimalist idea—clean lines, very few things. It has such a big impact when it’s done right.