Hey guys, it's Jen, but I do hair as “Graham” due to Jen being such a popular name. I’m reaching out for support as I pursue justice against wrongful termination, defamation, and unfair business practices that have severely impacted my career and livelihood.
WTF Happened?
Emerging from the pandemic, I was employed as a stylist at 8-year-old salon Refine (West Hollywood) beginning in July 2022, where I successfully built a returning clientele. When the business was sold to a new owner in July 2024 and a new acting manager was brought on board, things changed. New and existing policies were inconsistently enforced, specific employees were targeted, and my reputation and income were systematically destroyed.
Here’s what I faced:
-False Accusations & Wrongful Termination – I was unfairly accused of drug use, a claim that the manager later backtracked during our unemployment hearing.
-Client Theft & Loss of Income – I and other stylists were locked out of the booking system, unable to access our clientele, who were diverted to other stylists.
-Unenforceable Non-Compete Agreements – The manager required that stylists and clients enter into contracts preventing them from working together after separation. In California, these are VOID.
-Retaliation & Emotional Distress – I lost my job, my clients, and my financial stability, all while facing character defamation from the manager and other former employees who fed misleading information to the new owner.
Welp.
This situation has cost me my career and financial stability. I have lost wages as an hourly stylist, the clientele off of which I may have earned a living was stolen, and my character was defamed, which could have years of impact on my reputation and career.
I am pursuing legal action to recover my lost wages plus emotional damages and other non-monetary items. I’m trying to raise $20,000 through various means to cover these losses and keep my rent current.
My unemployment, which is only ⅔ my housing rental costs, will soon be expiring, just as I have found legal representation. This amount includes living expenses through December, as I work to re-build clientele and deal with other family matters.
These funds will help cover:
-Legal fees to fight this injustice
-Subpoena costs for evidence and witnesses
-Lost income from stolen clients and wrongful termination
-Apartment and chair rent
Every donation, no matter the size, helps pay rent and paperwork for another month. If you have spare change, please send it here:
If you believe in independent artistry, workers’ rights and fair business practices, please consider donating or sharing my story. If you need your hair done, please consider hiring me as your Hollywood hairdresser.
[~*guitar solo*~]
