JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville widow and hairstylist created a mobile hair salon for nursing home residents, cancer patients, and specifically NICU parents.
Margaret Johnson has spent a lot of time in hospitals over the last three years.
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Her daughter passed away, then her mother, then her husband died seven months ago after injuries from a car accident.
She said he was hit by a car driven by a 15-year-old who was not detained and that she is still seeking justice.
Despite the circumstances, Johnson had to provide and show up for her surviving son, Jonathan, who is a twin who lost his sister at birth. She said that her son spent a lot of time in the NICU and he has cerebral palsy, is autistic and requires therapy three times a week.
That caused her to plan her life around hospital visits, therapy appointments, and his quality of life.
She said she was forced to close her brick-and-mortar salon because she couldn’t afford to maintain it while navigating trauma and caregiving responsibilities.
“While in the NICU, I saw the exhaustion, fear, and heartbreak in parent’s eyes,” Johnson said. “I saw how forgotten they felt, how worn down they were emotionally and physically. I saw parents who hadn’t slept, who had lost confidence, who just needed a moment of care. That is where my purpose was reborn.”
Johnson and her husband created The Jonathan Jean Foundation, named after their son, to support NICU families. The foundation has donated more than 3,000 new toys to children during Christmas, diapers, blankets, and baby essentials to families in need.
“Since my husband’s passing, continuing this mission has been incredibly difficult, but I refuse to let grief stop the work,” Johnson said.
She then turned her business into a mobile salon bus called Érmar. Behind the business name lies a touching tribute. “Érmar stands for Eric and Margaret,” Johnson explained, referring to her late husband who helped build the mobile salon before his tragic passing in 2023.
She said this will allow her to work while giving back, as she will do hair for free for families at the hospitals.
“I have to keep going for children. I have to keep going because I want my kids to know that everything was not in vain,” Johnson said.
The mobile salon bus, equipped with water for shampooing and conditioning, provides a full range of beauty services including hair care, lashes, and makeup application.
“My vision is to bring salon services directly to those who can’t leave their circumstances, NICU parents, nursing home residents, cancer patients, and hospital-bound individuals,” Johnson said. “Self-care is often overlooked in crisis, yet it plays a vital role in mental health and healing.”
She partnered with a Jacksonville company, Design Wraps who donated the wrap for the bus.
“I believe this moment represents more than a business launch—it represents resilience, compassion, and turning pain into purpose. I would love for Jacksonville to see how tragedy can be transformed into service, and how one small business can create meaningful impact," Johnson said.
Looking ahead, Johnson plans to expand her impact by opening a salon specifically designed for autistic children, inspired by her son Jonathan, who has cerebral palsy and autism.
Click here to donate to her cause, helping families and NICU babies.
“God has not forgotten you. We have not forgotten you,” Johnson said, expressing her commitment to supporting families during their most challenging moments.