Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamila Harris.
Jamila, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started in the beauty industry at a tender age of 14 years old. That was when I was like “yep I want to do this forever”. However, before then was the story of most little black girls of the kitchen and hot comb, braids, and beads as well as the creamy crack (relaxers). By the time I was in the 5th grade I was like “Mom I got this”! By the time I hit high school in Gary, Indiana the rest was history as they say. I was the go-to in my family and among my friends.
I knew I wanted to go into business for myself in 2012. I’ve always loved helping people feel beautiful or handsome about themselves. It has its own kind of high to it. It is definitely my calling in life…my name even means beauty!
By the time I was ready to open a salon God was like “yea your moving to Atlanta”. I was like noo I wanna stay near my momma…lol. However, things started happening that pushed me out of my wants and into my needs. It was a lot of praying and crying before I made the decision to move from Indiana to Atlanta, but it was what I needed to do. I made the drive in a 1999 ford explorer with $275.00 to my name. It was a struggle after about three months. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I ended up homeless for two years.
That time in my life was rough! I can’t tell you how much growth I obtained from being in that position though. It gave me a greater understanding of whats obtainable and how important the right people being in my life is. I know what it feels like to sleep in your car and to be looked at like your nothing. Although I was working full -time I was in debt and had bad credit and the housing market is not too kind to those kinds of issues. BUT things changed for me and the end of 2016 I realized I can’t allow life to continue to happen to me. I had to stop being victimized and that’s when I saw real change.
This year, this summer I made the call to go full entrepreneur. This is not for the faint at heart. It’s for those that understand that the American dream that was cool for my grandmother is not gonna cut for me and the legacy I want to leave. Hence me taking a risk to build something out of nothing.
I am very excited to continue to build in Atlanta. The momentum is steady and steady growth is good growth!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A great guy (Paul Brunson) once said,” your network is your net worth”. This has shown me that 100 times over. It hasn’t been smooth but what worthy road to travel is? All the people we love today has been set back to be set up. That’s just the way it works. If you are expecting something else, you are entitled and disillusioned. The biggest struggles have been overcoming large expectations of how quick something supposed to happen. Gary V said make time your teammate. Not your opponent…I wish I had heard that back then.
Please tell us about Beauty II Behold.
Beauty II Behold is an on-site beauty service. We specialize in Weddings, Award Shows and other special events. I noticed that there was a place for this when I was working in bridal stores. People are out here searching for quality beauty teams that will save them from Atlanta’s traffic. This is where we come in. I’ve scouted freelancers who are passionate about beauty. We have education specifically for bridal beauty so that all of our make-up artists and hair stylists are on the same page. It’s fun and the brides love that we work with their planners and photographers to keep the day moving smoothly.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would OVER PREPARE! I would trust my gut quicker, love myself harder, and forgive myself instantly for the mistakes. I think a lesson learned is a level achieved. So I wouldn’t want to change trials…they made me who I am today.
Pricing:
- I always recommend a trial (engagement shoot) and day of in Bridal Beauty ($697)
- We can customize your packages with base starting at $350 ( Hair or makeup) for brides with a personal stylist or artist
- Bridesmaids hair and makeup is $180 per person
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jamilatarisai.com
- Phone: 2197285161
- Email: info@jamilatarisai.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/beautyllbehold
- Facebook: facebook.com/jamilatarisai
- Twitter: twitter.com/jamilatarisai
Image Credit:
Photographers: Morgan Nash, Andre Brown, Michelle Davina, Tiffany Dawson, Garnet O’Conner
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