Finding Home in San Antonio: Charli Moore’s Journey
“I remember stepping off the airplane and feeling like I had just stepped into an oven. What am I getting myself into?”
For first-time visitors, the Texas heat can be a shock. Charli Moore quickly learned to embrace the positive aspects of San Antonio’s hot weather. As someone who loves the outdoors, she welcomed the change from Washington State’s cold and rainy climate.
“I acclimated and started to blossom in the sunshine. Now, I just can’t get away from it. I love the vitamin D—it makes me feel so much more alive,” Charli said.
Charli moved to San Antonio to be closer to family in Texas and Mexico and to start fresh. As a young teen, she had always been drawn to hairstyling and fashion, seeing it as a creative and exciting way to make a living.
“At 14, I was already cutting my friends’ hair and being creative in my own way. I always thought it would be a fun career,” she recalled. “I grew up watching America’s Next Top Model and was obsessed with the photo shoots. I wanted to be part of that world.”
Her journey as a hairstylist in San Antonio led to a chance encounter with Jax Roberson, the renowned owner of Jax Studio, whose business provides specialized makeup and hair styling for film, photography, and weddings.
“I had been following Jax on social media and admired her work in classical makeup for film and photography,” Charli said. “I was doing hair for a wedding party when I happened to meet her. We just clicked.”
Jax soon offered Charli a position at her studio, an opportunity that thrilled her but also conflicted with her. As a mother and self-employed stylist, Charli had the flexibility to schedule clients around her daughter’s needs. Taking on a studio job felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—but only if she could maintain a healthy work-life balance.
“I told Jax I really wanted to work for her, but my daughter is my world, and I needed to be there for her,” Charli recalled. “Jax was so respectful of my situation. She created a work schedule that allowed me to pursue my dream job while still being there for my daughter. This opportunity found me at just the right time.”
Growing in Her Career and Community
Working at Jax Studio has helped Charli grow not only as a stylist but also as a person. She feels inspired by the strong women she meets in the studio.
“There’s so much positive feminine energy from these clients,” Charli said. “I’ve learned so much from them about what it means to be a person—and specifically, a woman.”
These are the same lessons she wants to pass on to her eight-year-old daughter, Ember.
“The second she was born, I knew being a mother would be the most important thing I ever do.”
Though they share a deep bond, Charli and Ember have opposite personalities. Charli considers herself an introvert, while Ember is an extrovert. Charli decided to move from their isolated Hill Country town to San Antonio’s 78209 neighborhood.
“I knew she needed to be around more people, so I found a place in 78209. It’s easy to walk outside and have so many things to do.”
Mother and daughter love spending time outdoors and exploring San Antonio’s many parks and attractions. Their favorite spot is Brackenridge Park, where they have a special tree that they consider a second home.
“The tree is easy to climb, and we love sitting in it. Ember and I pretend we live in the tree,” Charli said. “One day, some kids asked if we really lived there. ‘Are you wild people?’ they asked. My daughter said, ‘Yeah, we’re nature ladies.’”
An Unconventional Life, Filled with Joy
Charli and Ember also share a love for animals, often drawing attention when they take their cat for a walk.
“We put the cat in a pink harness and carry her in a baby carrier. She is so spoiled. We love it, and it’s super fun.”
Moving to San Antonio has brought new meaning to Charli’s life. She is closer to family, co-parents with Ember’s father, and has built a community where she truly feels at home.
“I’ve always craved a sense of community. I needed to challenge myself to find it—and I did in 78209.”
