Today we’d like to introduce you to Jakya Parker.
Hi Jakya, 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 name is Jakya Parker, and I’m about to be 25 years old. I’m a social media influencer, content creator, social media strategist, digital marketer, photographer, travel agent, and hairstylist—overall just a well-rounded businesswoman. I’ve always believed in building multiple streams and using creativity to create opportunities for myself and others.
My entrepreneurial journey really started back in 2018, aside from doing hair out of my mom’s house when I was still in high school. I launched my first official small business, which was a boutique selling things like lashes, durags, bathing suits, jewelry, and accessories—anything that helped women feel more confident. Confidence is something I’ve always been passionate about. I love helping women feel their best, look their best, and step into the best version of themselves. A big part of who I am is also being able to minister to people, talk with them, and remind them that there are truly no limits when it comes to what you can accomplish in life.
I ran that boutique for about three years. Within my first year, I generated around $10–12K in sales and was even featured in an article, which was a huge moment for me at the time. But life also came with challenges. I went through some hardships within personal relationships and ended up having to step away from the business for a while and essentially start over.
After moving back from Orlando, I had to rebuild my hairstyling clientele from the ground up. During that time, I decided to loc my hair, which was becoming a big trend online. I leaned into it, started documenting my journey, and within four months of posting loc content, I had my first viral video. From that point on, everything really started to take off, and I realized that sharing my journey and helping others through my content was something I was truly meant to do. I’ve worked with brands such as Aveeno, Prada Beauty, Kellogg, Atom Fresh, Express, SHEIN, etc. Which is truly a full circle moment for me.
My “why” has always been about empowering people.. especially women—to feel confident, take control of their lives, and understand that they can create their own opportunities. Everything I do, whether it’s hair, content, business, or travel, ties back to that same mission: helping people step into their power and realize their potential.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Entrepreneurship and building a personal brand comes with a lot of challenges that people don’t always see behind the scenes.
One of the biggest challenges for me has been hearing “no” and still finding the strength to get back up and keep applying myself. Whether it was applying for campaigns, brand deals, or opportunities and not hearing back, or being told I wasn’t qualified enough at the time, it takes a lot of resilience to keep showing up anyway. You have to remind yourself that the work you’re putting in now will eventually pay off and that the fruits of your labor will come with consistency.
Another struggle is constantly having to stay creative just to be seen on the internet. Social media moves fast, and sometimes it can make you question yourself or compare your journey to what others are doing. I’ve definitely had moments of imposter syndrome, wondering if I was doing enough or if I deserved the opportunities coming my way.
There’s also the personal side of it. Sometimes you realize that family or friends may not support you in the ways they say they do, and that can be tough. It also taught me how important it is to build genuine relationships and surround yourself with people who truly want to see you grow.
I’ve also had to learn how to stand up for myself, especially when it comes to brands or even other creators who may try to undervalue your work, lowball you, or treat you in ways that don’t align with your worth. Those moments taught me a lot about boundaries, knowing my value, and advocating for myself as a businesswoman.
So while the journey hasn’t been easy, every challenge has helped shape me into the entrepreneur and creator I am today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a full-time creative. I do hair, create content, produce UGC-style content for brands, offer digital marketing services for businesses, and also do photoshoots for brands or creators that need help building their content. I really enjoy being able to wear multiple hats and use my creativity in different ways.
I’d say I’m most known for my loc style videos, as well as anything beauty or travel related. A lot of people follow me for my hair content, but they also enjoy seeing my travel experiences since I’m a travel agent as well, so my platform naturally blends beauty, lifestyle, and travel together.
What I’m most proud of is my ability to dream bigger and not limit myself to what seems small or easily attainable. I’ve always believed in going beyond the program and pushing myself to see how far I can really go. Being able to land sponsorships and campaigns with brands that I’ve known about for year. Brands I never even imagined I’d get the chance to work with or get paid by—has been a huge accomplishment for me.
Last year alone I was able to go on two brand trips to the Bahamas, which was really special because that’s where I’m originally from. Being able to experience that while doing what I love was a full-circle moment for me. I’m also really proud of being able to help brands back home in the Bahamas understand and utilize social media better, because that’s something I’m passionate about.
What I believe sets me apart is my resilience and consistency. No matter what challenges come my way, I continue to show up. I’m authentic, honest, and I don’t try to be someone I’m not. I think I’m pretty funny too, and people connect with that. But more than anything, I genuinely love seeing the people around me win. I enjoy encouraging others to believe in themselves, grow, and go after what they want in life.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s anything I would like to share, it would be to never limit yourself or your dreams. A lot of times people wait until they feel fully ready or until everything is perfect before they start, but the truth is you grow along the way. The most important thing is just starting and staying consistent.
I also want people to understand that comparison will steal your joy. Everyone’s journey looks different, and what’s meant for you will always find its way to you if you stay focused and keep putting in the work.
For me, everything I do comes from a place of wanting to inspire others to believe in themselves. Whether it’s through hair, content creation, travel, or business, my goal is always to show people that you can build a life doing the things you genuinely love. There are no limits when you trust yourself, stay disciplined, and continue to evolve.
And lastly, I just want to remind people that consistency beats perfection every time. Keep showing up, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to take up space. You never know who you might inspire just by being yourself. Remember to always have faith and stand for something!! ( Thank you Yahweh )
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kyaselitestylez.my.canva.site/jakya-parker
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browninlocs
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theeofficialkya
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theeofficialkya
