Meet DeAndra Arvinger and Jasmine Mendes of House of Ja’De Beauty Salon in Decatur

Today we’d like to introduce you to DeAndra Arvinger and Jasmine Mendes.

DeAndra and Jasmine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
A little bit about ourselves and how we became business partners. We (DeAndra and Jasmine) met at a hair model call in July 2012. A few months went by, we didn’t talk much. November 2012 we ran into each other at FedEx working a second job for the holiday season. Dee Dee left after the second night but Jasz continued to work. Jasz also started back doing makeup at a kiosk in the mall. Dee Dee was working in a hair salon. That’s when we decided to help each out by trading services, promoting each other and collaborating by running specials. Long story short, Dee Dee continuously encouraged Jasz to work in a salon. Dee Dee explained to Jasz that working in a salon would give her a better opportunity to build clientele, make her own schedule and keep more money in her pockets. Jasz decided to leave the mall and came to work in the salon with Dee Dee. Naturally we continued to promote each other and worked together much more after. As time went by a few things transpired at the salon we were working in. Dee Dee went to work in another salon literally up the street. We continued to naturally support each other. It was like we were already made to be business partners.

As time passed and the more things around us seemed stagnant, we started to feel the same about things such as our work atmosphere and the things we were dealing with. We’ve had plenty of conversations about getting our own salon and owning a business. We would go looking for a space rent. On August 28th, 2017, GOD made our dreams come true! We signed our lease, fixed the space up from the floors up, knocked down walls so it can look open, purchased brand new salon equipment and decorated. We didn’t qualify for any type of funding because we didn’t have any business credit and our personal credit wasn’t good enough. But we did not let that deter us. We were determined, dedicated and worked really hard. Honestly, we had to pace ourselves especially with our personal and living expenses.

Every week, we took care of something. For example, we would pay for the floors to get done one week, we might have had to pay for our business license and might even have to take a trip to Home Depot. We started working in our salon before our gas was on and the windows were still boarded up. We were even using space heaters. Laughing out loud! The funny thing is but admiring thing about it was that our clients still came. That says a lot and it means a lot to! We worked at getting the salon the way we wanted it until we got it the way we envisioned it. March 2018, we had our Grand Opening ever since we’ve been in business and working at finding people who are on the same page as us.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, of course, it has not been a smooth ride. As first-time business owners who are basically learning from trial and error. However, we have been blessed and determined to become an even better business. There are plenty of struggles we can talk about but the toughest one has been getting the right people in our salon. When we say right we don’t necessarily mean perfect but people who have similar goals for themselves and as a team. We don’t want any drama, ulterior motivates, a problem with paying their booth rent on time, overall conducting their business and helping bring light to the salon. We want to build an atmosphere where there are good vibes, passion, love hard work, money flowing and a team player.

House of Ja’De Beauty Salon – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are the salon owners Jasmine and DeAndra better known as Jasz and Dee Dee. That’s how we came up with our salon name House of Ja’De Beauty Salon. We are conveniently located right off 285 on Memorial Drive in Decatur, Ga. Our salon set up is for 5 stylists, 1 make up artist and 1 eyelash technician. We are a beauty salon so we are known for hair, makeup, lashes, and waxing. We also cater to bridal parties. We also host pop up shops and other small business events. What we are most proud of is our business partnership and our growth. We’ve come along way as a business learning how to deal with unknown obstacles and about ourselves as well. What sets us apart from others is simply put our Mission.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
As a business owner being successful means to build on your business and grow. Meaning to have a goal and achieve it and to never become complacent always strive to do better and give back to your community. We believe you should give your customers what you expect which is great customer service, good clean atmosphere, and positive vibes. We not only want for our clients to look good but to feel good, empowered and motivated. Our plans for the future as business partners is to ultimately make more money so we plan to expand. By getting a space with more square footage and building salon suites. Due to the fact that nowadays most beauty professionals are wanting the idea of their own salon but with less over the head and more privacy. Right now we offer a traditional setting open floor salon with booths. As individuals, we have our own investments, businesses, and goals.

Contact Info:

• Address: House of Ja’De Beauty Salon
  4763 Memorial Dr.
  Decatur, GA 30032
  Suite D
• Phone: 404.600,3903
• Email: houseofjade17@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @houseofjade27
• Facebook: House of Ja’De Beauty Salon

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