In middle school, JaHannah Queen Mary Pitchford turned to makeup as a confidence-building tool while enduring school bullying.

“I started playing around with makeup and I fell in love with it because it made me feel pretty,” said Pitchford. “I thought, if that’s what makes me happy, why can’t I do that for other women?”

A licensed esthetician of five years, Pitchford, in June, opened Queen’s Palace Wax & Beauty Salon in Feasterville.

Three months before her grand opening, she began mentoring with Nina De Rosa of SCORE Bucks County, who guided her in everything from finding an accountant, reviewing financials, marketing, applying for grants, developing a business plan, and, perhaps most importantly, finding a space for Pitchford’s business.

“I suggested that she look into salon suites,” De Rosa said of her solution to high rents for traditional brick and mortar locations. “It seems to be a growing trend, and with the type of clientele that was frequenting them, she could certainly tap into the traffic.”

JaHannah Pitchford chose this area because of its proximity to public transportation, and its location in a busy shopping center.

Business has been good for the solopreneur. Pitchford credited her mentor.

“I needed her to help me make that first jump,” Pitchford said. “She’s a prominent figure in my business. I would always want her there every step of the way.”

De Rosa continues to mentor Pitchford biweekly. Looking ahead, Pitchford will lean on De Rosa – and her extensive human resources expertise – in the next year or two when she adds staff for her beauty services business, which features total body wax treatments, facials, eyebrow tinting, and makeup applications.

A North Penn High School graduate, Pitchford strives to use the bullying she endured as a catalyst for positive change. This summer, Queen’s Palace Wax & Beauty Salon began an ongoing partnership with A Woman’s Place Domestic Violence Center in Doylestown. Through the Get-A-Wax & Give-A-Wax campaign, customers who purchase a wax hair removal service will be providing a woman in crisis with a complimentary wax hair removal service.

“Domestic violence awareness is a big part of the business’ mission,” she said, adding that she hopes her salon is a “safe space” for women. “(Estheticians) notice things that you normally wouldn’t notice, like scars and bruises. I want to actually have that conversation, ‘hey, are you OK?’”

JaHannah Pitchford recently visited Bucks County Community College and handed out customized gift bags that contained complimentary eyebrow wax vouchers, and literature about intimate personal violence among young adults.

The Queen’s Palace motto is “Embrace Your Royal.” Pitchford strives to convey this message as she continues to inspire women, especially adolescents and young adults.

“You can do anything you put your mind to.”

About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million aspiring entrepreneurs.

Each year, SCORE provides small business mentoring and workshops to more than 375,000 new and growing small businesses. 

With more than 70 members across Bucks and Eastern Montgomery counties, SCORE Bucks County provides over 4,300 free mentoring services annually to local small business owners through one-on-one counseling and small business seminars. 

To stay up to date on news and happenings, join SCORE Bucks County’s email list. Text SCOREBUCKS to 22828.