For Jefferson Tangradi, co-owner and co-founder of The Well in Downtown Los Angeles, it all started with a bad haircut in 7th grade. “Right after, I went to get a set of clippers and I fixed it myself,” Jefferson remembers.

​

A painter and aspiring artist, Jefferson shifted gears from art school to beauty school, working at salons in Sherman Oaks and West Hollywood before opening The Well in 2009.

 

Today, the Los Angeles native is the go-to hair master for the city’s emerging creative class. For color, cut, and styling, Jefferson is a creative partner who helps his clients express themselves through their hair. “Once I get someone’s vibe, it’s my job to figure out what would be the easiest way for them to do their hair at home and then to teach them how to do their hair so they feel good about themselves long after they leave the salon.”

 

While he regularly cuts and styles the manes of the famous and infamous—DJs and musicians are mainstays at the salon—in Jefferson’s chair, everyone is equal and his goal is always to make them feel great.

 

“One time I cut this girl’s hair and I made her cry. She said she had never felt this beautiful. I was blown away. You come to me to feel good about yourself. I want to give people a great experience. Behind the chair or on set, that’s my job.”