Jo Thomas Wilson was born in Birmingham, Alabama, until moving to Atlanta as a 12-year-old. Jo called Atlanta home through high school and into their twenties, when they decided to go to cosmetology school after years of cutting hair for friends. Jo moved to Athens in 2020, and worked briefly in a salon downtown before renting the shopfront where My Heart Salon Studio now lives. The business was born from a desire to create a shame-free, welcoming space for the community, especially LGBTQ+ folks, to come and receive compassionate hair care. Jo also hopes to create a sensory-friendly space for those who are neurodivergent or have other sensory needs. What started as a small office offering only dry cuts has grown into a full-service salon with multiple stylists. The salon also holds community events including clothing swaps and sliding scale options. Jo also works as an independent educator, partnering with other Queer educators to facilitate education on LGBTQ+ issues. Jo lives with his partner, Megan, and bull mastiff, Micah.
What do you love most about the work you do?
The people. I absolutely cannot put a price tag on the joy that I get to witness people find in themselves when they get a haircut that feels like them. When someone turns around and is like, “Oh my gosh, I feel like myself.”
When you’re not working, what are some things you like to do in and around Athens?
I like to walk on the Greenway. I really love nature, so I love hiking and going to Sandy Creek. I love getting coffee at Buvez. I like to catch music. I love Flicker, and that little nook they have. 40 Watt has always been a fun place to catch music, too. I love camping. We’ve been members at a campground outside Athens for the last five years.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Ireland. I really am obsessed with the mountainous coastline. I just want to stand and look at that before I die. I have since I was a kid. Do you remember that movie Far and Away? That’s why. The rest of the movie is such a blur but the landscape enamored me as a child.
Do you have a favorite book? Or one you often reread, reference or gift?
I’m very ADHD, so books have been a really tough thing for me to focus on. The last book that I read, or listened to, and really enjoyed was one of Brené Brown’s. I really love her and what she has to say. My therapist recommended it and I got the audiobook and it took over my drives. I also just read, and found fascinating, Polysecure. I was really curious after coming out as a non-monogamous person last year and realizing how many facets there were to my Being. I decided to read it and it was really interesting, very educational. Not that I necessarily align with everything in the book but it was really cool to read. I think everyone would benefit from reading it, regardless of where you stand.
What about a favorite movie?
My all-time favorite movie is Interview With a Vampire, I will always say that even though I barely watch it anymore. It is the only movie that I will probably watch over and over.
If you could put any message on a billboard, what would it be?
“Love yourself.” It has to be that simple.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
That it’s not that serious. And don’t be afraid to mess up. Don’t be afraid to disappoint people. It’s not that serious. You just gotta love yourself.
If you could see any band anywhere at any time, who would you see and where?
Prince. I do not care where. It was the one gift that I really wanted to give my partner that I never got the chance to get her. I was trying so hard to get tickets when he was here in Atlanta. It was right before he died.
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
My grandfather. Do not care where. Anywhere. I lost him in my 20s. I was definitely a Granddaddy’s kid. I took his middle name, Thomas, as my middle name.
What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word home?
My mom, my partner, and myself.
