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Local hair stylist celebrates 36 years [FEB. 2, 2000] Curly or straight, short or long, Jane Horchem has seen and styled it all. Today she celebrates 36 years as hair stylist, business owner and friend to many Lincoln residents who visit her beauty shop, Jane’s Fashion Kurl, located at 452 Eighth Street.
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But this isn’t your typical salon. When you walk into her shop, you are walking into a home. "I’ve made a lot of friendships," she explains. "We’ve cried together and laughed together." When she started her business in 1964, she was working out of her kitchen. "I wanted to be home when my kids came home," she says. After a couple months, she converted her basement into her beauty salon, and she has been there ever since. "When I started I had a lot of people tell me it wouldn’t work because it was in my house," she explains, "but it was quite the opposite." Mrs. Horchem attributes her success to many factors, including the loyalty of her customers and the constant support of her husband Morris. Also, she regularly attends seminars in order to stay current on the latest trends and techniques. "I do very little advertising. It’s mostly been word-of-mouth," she says. The long-term success of her business, though, is a result of hard work. Her 8- to 10-hour work day sometimes starts as early as 6:30 in the morning because she always tries to work around her clients’ schedule. Her clientele, both men and women, range in age from 5 years old to 87 years old, which makes versatility important. Throughout the day, she performs a variety of "beauty tasks," such as coloring, perms, and cut and style.
But her clients will tell you that it is more than just getting their hair styled. "She cares very much," says one of her loyal customers. "Plus, you can always get a good cup of coffee, because my husband makes it," she adds, laughing.
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Despite long, and sometimes odd hours, Mrs. Horchem enjoys her work. She explains that she likes to make a difference in someone’s day. "Sometimes someone will come in feeling down, but when they leave they are smiling." To put it simply, "I like people," she says. Over the years, Mrs. Horchem has styled a lot of hair for a lot of clients. Now, one of those clients, Paula Landess, works with her as a stylist. "She used to work as my shampoo girl in high school," Mrs. Horchem explains. "It’s nice to be able to work with her." When she is not in her shop cutting, curling or styling hair, Mrs. Horchem avidly quilts and sews. She adds that having her business at home made it easier to be involved with her children’s activities at church and school. Her two children are now grown and she has three grandchildren, and she is very glad to have had to opportunity to work at home and be available for her children and husband. "I’d do it again," she says. This family-focused attitude is certainly reflected in her work. "We’re family people," she says. "You are not only their hairdresser, you become friends."
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