How This Atlanta Babe Launched Her Own Hair Care Line While Still In School
Jazย is a 23 year old hairstylist and salon owner, born on an army base in Georgia, and raised in Maryland. When she realized she wasn’t feeling passionate about her college major in Criminal Justice, she decided to follow her dreams and start doing hair. Fast forward a few years, Jasmine has opened her first salon, launched a hair extension line, as well as hair care products. If you want to know how she did it and where she plans on going from here, check out our interview below.
How did you join the hair industry?
My great grandmother who just passed away had been doing hair since she was seven, I would go over her house and watch her from time to time. Going off to college showed me that Criminal Justice was not the career field I wanted to go in, and I wanted to pursue my passion, which is doing hair!
How did you start your own business while being in college?
I’ve always been an ambitious person and always loved to juggle many different things. Before doing hair, I actually would model in music videos. I did a video for Rae Sremmurd, Que, Rich The Kid, to name a few…But after doing the music video thing, I realized that it was cool meeting new photographers, artists, etc, but I hated being on set for those long hours. At the time, I was already doing hair, but literally like two clients a month. I lived on campus so I didn’t have any real bills anyway. It hit me one day, if I spent those same eight hours I did on set, doing hair, then I’d be doing pretty good.
Why did you decide to start your own hair company and salon?
My ultimate dream is to own a few hair salons. I’m big on doing my research and I think it’s an amazing thing to see a young black girl getting things done. I want to be one of those young girls that accomplishes her dream at a young age while inspiring other people to accomplish theirs too.
What made you start your own haircare line and what are some goals for your products?
I never like to stick with just one thing, I like staying busy. My clients would always ask me if I sold hair products and at the time I didn’t. But it only made sense for a hairstylist to sell hair [products]. As far as my product line, I’ve always been really big on the health of one’s hair, when my clients come to me my first goal is to check out their hair and to see how healthy it is. I make sure their hair is healthy first, and then I worry about slaying. I pay attention to ingredients a lot, so for me to see that a lot of products are horrible for your hair, it made me want to create something amazing and healthy at the same time.
What’s your favorite hairstyle for your clients and why?
My favorite hairstyle would have to be installing a sew in with a closure. I’ve really mastered how to install the closure in such a way that it looks like it is coming out of someone’s scalp.
How did you become a celebrity stylist?
My first celebrity client actually happened to be a singer, after doing hair for that client I landed a role being one of the hairstylists for “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta.” Every person I have done hair for has truly helped me to go harder.
What tips do you have for aspiring stylist?
Remaining consistent, always try to learn new styles, & make sure you have a passion and a love for it.
Where do you see your company in the next few years?
In the next few years I see myself having a storefront here in Atlanta and possibly in LA, and being one of the top companies to get your hair from, hair services, etc.
What’s something about you that many people don’t know?
Lately I’ve been finding out that I have a love for marketing. Every successful business has good marketing. I’ve been reading books on good marketing skills and I’ve been tweaking a lot of things with my own marketing. Another thing, many do not know that on top of me doing hair Tuesday-Saturday I am also a full-time student online now. I am majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Cyber Crime. I actually am considering getting my masters in Marketing.
What tips do you have for young women looking to increase their social media following?
Always remain classy and true to yourself, and be sure to post frequently.
What do you want your supporters to take from this interview?
Everyone is given a gift, it’s just up to each person to realize what their gift is. Once you find out what it is, follow your dreams. Anything is possible. I look at many different success stories, Tyler Perry, or Oprah Winfrey to name a few. Nothing in life is given, those who get successful and remain successful are those that truly understand the struggle and how hard it can be to chase your dreams. And always, keep Godย first in all that you do. Negative comments will always follow, but just flip the negative comments and go harder. Lastly, when success comes, remain humble always.
