Jax Machen
Jax Machen
Owner | Burly Beards
Since 2023, Jax Machen has established herself in the personal care services and beauty field as the owner of Burly Beards, a Maryland-based barbershop that provides the local community with high-quality haircuts, expertly groomed beards, and precise waxing services. Dedicated to the success of her business, she works six to seven days a week to support daily operations across its two locations and provides services directly, including hair cutting when needed—the shop also offers personalized care to those who are homebound—and overall fosters a welcoming, customer-focused environment. In 2026, she acquired another hair salon to expand her business, Rosy Roots, a welcoming environment for mothers and wives in particular.
As a testament to her success and commitment to her clients, Ms. Machen has seen a customer growth from approximately 500 to thousands in less than a year. Additionally, Burley Beards’ launch was featured in Bay to Bay News, which highlighted its “amazing vibes,” and is proud that her business has become an appealing, go-to destination for locals. She is an active member of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Business, and devotes much of her free time to supporting local initiatives; she frequently donates to schools and adopts a family every Christmas, ensuring they receive gifts and love during the holiday season.
Ms. Machen’s hair cutting journey began in 2010, initially working at several chain establishments specializing in women’s hair. She ultimately discovered a greater passion for men’s grooming—and enhancing their self-esteem through a good cut. However, having dealt with substance abuse issues and braving a difficult period, full of trials and tribulations, she spent time in prison for a while. Upon her release, she relocated to the Eastern Shore and sought to turn her life around—through her passion.
She subsequently joined Sport Clips, where she enjoyed working with a predominantly male clientele and engaging in meaningful conversations, demonstrating the active listening skills that would become integral to her success by absorbing feedback and responding to their needs. She developed her skills further by cutting hair from her home for a few years to maintain clientele while preparing to open her own salon, which would fill a gap in the market for skilled beard grooming in the area. She also had a vision to create an atmosphere distinct from a corporate one, offering stylists a space where they feel valued and appreciated.
Looking ahead, Ms. Machen aims to acquire several additional businesses, predominantly in the health and beauty industry. Her primary goal is to provide as many individuals as possible with rewarding work experiences, fostering an environment where employees enjoy going to work. She envisions creating opportunities for people who may not hold college degrees, ensuring employment accessibility for a diverse range of individuals. As a means of paying it forward, she also strives to support those struggling with addiction or in recovery, inspiring them to recognize that a fulfilling life beyond their challenges is attainable.
On a personal note, Ms. Machen is a single mother who became a parent at 21. She raised her son, who is now in his teens, and recently welcomed a daughter. Her commitment to giving back has been largely fueled by a desire to build a lasting legacy for her children.
Press Release
Marquis Who’s Who Honors Jax Machen for Expertise in Business, Personal Care Services, and the Beauty Industry
Jax Machen is an entrepreneur recognized in the beauty industry
PRINCESS ANNE, MD, February 27, 2026 — Jax Machen has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Machen has distinguished herself as the owner of Burly Beards, a barber shop that has become a prominent fixture in the local community. Since founding the business in 2023, she has worked tirelessly to ensure its success, dedicating six to seven days each week to overseeing daily operations across two locations. Her responsibilities encompass running errands, managing administrative tasks, handling payments and billing, addressing operational issues and providing direct services such as haircuts when needed. Ms. Machen is known for greeting customers personally and fostering a welcoming, customer-focused environment that sets her establishments apart.
Her most notable professional achievement is not only the successful launch of Burly Beards but also her exceptional ability to brand it as an appealing destination for customers. Within less than one year, she expanded her clientele from approximately 500 to thousands, demonstrating remarkable growth and business acumen. This accomplishment was recognized in Bay To Bay News with the feature “Amazing vibes” at Burley Beards chamber ribbon cutting in Salisbury. Ms. Machen’s expertise in active listening has been instrumental in this success, allowing her to respond effectively to customer feedback and introduce new features and services that enhance the overall experience.
In addition to her work at Burly Beards, Ms. Machen recently acquired another hair salon to expand her business footprint further. She is an active member of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business, reflecting her commitment to professional development and industry engagement.
Ms. Machen’s career began in 2010 when she entered the field of hair cutting at several chain establishments specializing in women’s hair. Over time, she discovered a greater passion for men’s grooming and transitioned to working at Sport Clips, where she enjoyed serving a predominantly male clientele and engaging in meaningful conversations. After a challenging period in prison, she relocated to the Eastern Shore with a determination to rebuild her life. She continued cutting hair from her home for several years, maintaining her clientele while preparing to open her own salon.
Her journey into entrepreneurship was shaped by personal experiences and a desire to fill a market gap for skilled beard-grooming services. Motivated by an appreciation for bearded men and a commitment to boosting their self-esteem, Ms. Machen established Burly Beards with a vision of creating an atmosphere distinct from corporate environments, one where stylists feel valued and appreciated.
Ms. Machen attributes her perseverance and personal growth to overcoming drug addiction, which she credits as a defining influence on her character and approach to business. The challenges she faced during this period taught her that it is possible to turn negatives into positives, shaping her into a resilient leader dedicated to helping others find similar paths forward.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Ms. Machen is deeply committed to civic engagement and philanthropy. She actively donates to local initiatives, particularly supporting schools when they seek assistance with band programs and related activities. Each year, she adopts a family for Christmas, ensuring they receive gifts and support during the holiday season. Her dedication to giving back is driven by a desire to build a lasting legacy for her children.
Born in Baltimore, Ms. Machen is a single mother who became a parent at age 21. She has raised her son, now 16, and recently welcomed a daughter five months ago. In her free time, she enjoys being alone, watching television, reading books, and spending time with her daughter and dogs.
Looking ahead, Ms. Machen aspires to acquire additional businesses within the health and beauty industry and beyond. Her primary goal is to provide rewarding work experiences for as many individuals as possible while fostering inclusive environments where employees enjoy their work. She is especially committed to creating opportunities for people without college degrees and supporting those struggling with addiction or in recovery, demonstrating that fulfilling lives are attainable beyond adversity.
