Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Jones.
Hi Vanessa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey in the beauty industry began at just nine years old in Jamaica, where I first discovered my passion for hair. Two years later, after moving to the United States, my love for sports joined that passion. While balancing athletics and school, I began doing hair for my first client I met at a grocery store. Word quickly spread, and I soon had a steady stream of weekend clients — realizing early on that I could use my talent to support myself and help my family.
During my senior year of high school, I suffered a major ankle injury during an All-Star soccer game. Although it ended my athletic pursuits, it opened the door to my lifelong career in beauty. After graduation, I enrolled in cosmetology school, then relocated to Georgia to pursue my dreams.
At 19, I began building my clientele in Conyers, Georgia, working for several companies before realizing that my gift could become a brand. When I was laid off from my part-time job a year later, it became the push I needed to fully invest in my vision. At 21, I opened my first salon — Elevated Beauty Bar — just before the pandemic. Despite the challenges, my team and I persevered and successfully launched after lockdowns lifted.
For three strong years, the salon thrived, until I experienced a major setback through a failed verbal partnership that resulted in the loss of my location. However, through faith and resilience, I was blessed with a new opportunity — a full salon space gifted by Shan Farley — only a month later. I rebuilt again from the ground up and operated successfully for another two years.
Eventually, I made the difficult but necessary decision to downsize into a salon suite to prioritize my mental health and refocus my goals. Now, at 29, I’m rebuilding stronger than ever — preparing to open my next storefront with a renewed purpose: to create a community-centered salon where stylists feel supported, valued, and inspired to grow together.
My journey has been one of resilience, faith, and evolution — and I’m proud to continue elevating others through beauty, empowerment, and community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all — but every challenge shaped me into who I am today. The beauty industry looks glamorous from the outside, but behind the scenes, it takes discipline, faith, and resilience.
One of my biggest struggles came early in my journey when I lost my first salon due to a verbal partnership that went wrong. I had built everything from the ground up, and overnight, it felt like I lost it all. But that experience taught me the importance of protecting my business legally, trusting my instincts, and never giving up — even when things seem impossible.
There were times when I was rebuilding with little to no money, managing a team, and trying to keep my faith strong through burnout and depression. But each setback became a setup for something greater. When I was gifted my next salon space, I knew that was God reminding me that I was still on the right path.
Now, looking back, I see that none of it was meant to break me — it was meant to prepare me. The journey hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been real, and it’s been worth it. Every struggle helped me grow into a stronger leader, businesswoman, and woman of faith.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What do you do, what do you specialize in, and what sets you apart?
I’m the founder of Elevated Beauty Bar, a luxury salon experience built on the values of faith, empowerment, and community. I specialize in healthy hair care, protective styles, and luxury braiding — but more than that, I focus on helping every client feel confident, seen, and renewed when they leave my chair.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just create styles — I create experiences. My goal has always been to build a space where people feel uplifted, whether they’re clients or stylists. Elevated Beauty Bar is more than a salon; it’s a place of healing, growth, and safe place for everyone . I believe beauty is energy — and when you feel good about yourself, you show up differently in the world.
I’m most proud of the fact that I started this business from the ground up with nothing but faith, passion, and determination. I opened my first salon at 21, made it through the pandemic, and even after setbacks and losses, I’ve continued to rebuild stronger each time.
Now, I’m focused on creating a community-centered salon model that supports upcoming stylists — teaching them not just how to master their craft, but how to build a business, protect their brand, and find balance mentally and spiritually. My journey has taught me that success isn’t just about what you build, but about how many people you elevate along the way.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is to trust your journey — even when it doesn’t make sense. Every closed door, delay, or challenge is preparing you for what’s next. Don’t rush the process. Build a strong foundation, stay consistent, and protect your vision — because not everyone will see it the way you do, and that’s okay.
If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to treat your business like it’s already everything you dream it to be — even when it’s small. Keep your paperwork in order, document everything, and make sure your contracts and boundaries are clear. Those small details protect the big dreams.
Also, don’t lose yourself while you’re building. I learned the hard way that success means nothing if your peace isn’t included. Take care of your mental health, rest when you need to, and stay connected to God. He’ll always guide your steps if you let Him.
Lastly, remember — start where you are with what you have. You don’t need to have it all figured out; you just need to start. Your faith, discipline, and consistency will take you further than you can imagine.
Pricing:
- Micro locs Monday $950
- Knotless Tuesday $200
- Retwist thursday $100
- Feedings Friday $75
- Sisterlocs Saturday $750
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessa_braids?igsh=MWZrd3c2aWI3OHg0OQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/myElevatedLuxuryBeautyBar/?
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@elevatedluxuryinc?si=mavpMCojFYUrMLrU
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@elevatedluxuryinc?_t=ZP-90fcTHW78wB&_r=1
Image Credits
To all the elevated queens and clients . Thank you for being apart of our journey.
