Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Beutel.
Hi Jamie , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi, thank you so much for taking the time to interview me, and also read this article. I’m Jamie and I’ve been in the hair industry for over 21 years, and what started as a career eventually became one of the most meaningful parts of my life. I’ve always loved the connection that comes with being behind the chair. It’s never been just about hair for me. It’s about making people feel comfortable, confident, and genuinely cared for.
After spending years working in different environments, I reached a point where I knew I wanted something different. I wanted to create a space that reflected not only my experience and creativity, but also my values. A place where people could show up exactly as they are and feel welcome.
In June 2025, I took a leap of faith and opened Timothée, my own private hair studio on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland.
The studio is dedicated to my sweet French bulldog, Timmy, who passed away in May 2025 at 11 years old. He was my constant companion and such an important part of my life. Naming my studio in his honor was my way of keeping a little piece of him with me as I began this new chapter. His memory is woven into something I’ve poured my heart into, and that makes Timothée even more special to me.
Starting my own business was both exciting and terrifying. I was stepping away from what was familiar and betting on myself after more than two decades in the industry. But I knew I wanted to build something that felt entirely my own.
Today, Timothée is more than just a place to get your hair done. It’s an intimate, welcoming space where I get to connect with incredible people, express my creativity, and do what I love on my own terms.
Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come. Opening my studio reminded me that it’s never too late to start over, trust yourself, and create a life that feels like yours. And getting to carry Timmy’s memory with me through it all makes this journey that much more meaningful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. The road to opening Timothée was anything but smooth, and I think that’s what makes this chapter of my life so meaningful.
After more than two decades in the industry, I found myself in a work environment that had become unhealthy for me. Walking away meant leaving behind the security and familiarity of a place where I had spent years building relationships and establishing myself. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but I knew I couldn’t continue sacrificing my well-being for the sake of staying comfortable.
Around that same time, I lost my beloved French bulldog, Timmy, who had been by my side for 11 years. Losing him was devastating. I was grieving while simultaneously trying to navigate one of the biggest transitions of my life. There were days when I felt completely overwhelmed, but I kept moving forward.
Opening a business on my own came with an entirely new set of challenges. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a hairstylist. I was responsible for every aspect of running a business, from managing finances and building a client base to making every decision, big and small. There was no safety net, and learning to trust myself through that uncertainty was a challenge in itself.
I also had to learn that being passionate about what you do doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice yourself for it. Setting boundaries, recognizing my own worth, and understanding that I could be both a compassionate person and a successful business owner have been some of my biggest lessons.
There have been moments of fear, grief, exhaustion, and plenty of questioning whether I could really pull this off. But there have also been moments that remind me exactly why I took the leap, like seeing longtime clients walk through my new studio doors, welcoming new faces, and realizing that I’ve created a space where I genuinely love coming to work every day.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that starting over doesn’t mean starting from scratch. I brought 21 years of experience, relationships, resilience, and passion with me. I just finally gave myself the opportunity to build something that reflected who I am.
The road hasn’t been easy, but I wouldn’t trade the peace, independence, and sense of purpose I’ve found for anything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Timothée the studio ?
Timothée is my private, independently owned hair studio located on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, California. I specialize in everything from precision short haircuts and barbering to longer, textured styles, dimensional color, highlights, balayage, and grey blending. I love having the versatility to work with different hair types, lengths, and styles.
But what I really want people to know about Timothée is that it’s about so much more than hair.
I created my studio with the intention of offering a more personal, intimate experience. It’s just me, which means every client receives my full attention from the moment they walk through the door. There’s no rushing people through appointments, no assembly-line approach, and no pressure to be anything other than themselves.
My approach has always been rooted in connection. I genuinely love getting to know the people who sit in my chair. I want them to feel heard, understood, and comfortable enough to tell me exactly what they want, whether that’s a dramatic transformation or simply maintaining a haircut they’ve loved for years.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that Timothée is a gender-neutral space. I believe hair has no gender, and my services are centered around the work being done rather than who you are. Everyone deserves to feel welcome, respected, and confident in the chair.
What sets my studio apart is the combination of experience, versatility, and the personal relationships I’ve built over the years. I take my craft seriously, but I never want the experience to feel intimidating or overly formal. I want people to come in, relax, have a good conversation, laugh a little, and leave feeling like the best version of themselves.
I’m also incredibly proud of the meaning behind my brand. Timothée is named in honor of my late French bulldog, Timmy, who was my companion for 11 years. His memory is a part of everything I’ve built, and having his name on my studio makes this business deeply personal to me.
Ultimately, I want Timothée to be known as a place where exceptional hair and genuine human connection go hand in hand. I’m proud that I’ve created something that reflects not only my skills as a stylist, but also who I am as a person.
My hope is that when someone walks into Timothée, they feel like they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s one thing I’d love readers to take away from my story, it’s that it’s never too late to choose a different path for yourself.
I spent over two decades building my career, and opening Timothée required me to step outside of everything that felt familiar. It was scary, and there were plenty of moments when I questioned myself. But I’ve learned that sometimes the most meaningful things we create come from the moments when we finally decide to trust ourselves.
I’m also incredibly grateful for the people who have supported me along the way. Every client who followed me, every new person who has trusted me with their hair, every referral, kind word, and small gesture of encouragement has meant more than I can express. When you support a small business, you’re supporting someone’s dream, their livelihood, and something they’ve poured their heart into.
I hope my story encourages someone who might be standing at a crossroads in their own life. You don’t have to have everything figured out to take that first step, and starting over doesn’t erase everything you’ve accomplished.
Sometimes, starting over is how you finally find your way back to yourself.
And if you’re ever in Oakland, I’d love to welcome you into Timothée. ❤️
Pricing:
- Long haircut $150
- Short haircut $70
- Color services start @ $225 and up
- Haircut + beard trim $100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://app.squareup.com/book/L1DYKKT68CNXY/timothee-the-studio-oakland-ca
- Instagram: @thediscogreenhouse @timothee.thestudio
