Check Out Jamilla King’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamilla King.

Hi Jamilla, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I honestly don’t think I was ever cut out to work for someone else. Lol, I never hesitated to quit a job if I didn’t like it. About eight years ago, I found myself miserable at the place I was working. It was so bad that I would go to the bar on my lunch break and have a few drinks just to get through the day. One night, I fell asleep and dreamed about starting a business. The dream was foggy but there were certain parts that I could see clear. After waking up and praying about direction, I started doing research on what I needed to do next. About six months later, I passed the state exam to get my real estate license. Now at the time, I still didn’t know what all of this meant but I was so passionate about it. I remember the morning I went to work after getting the email that my license was ready. I sat at my desk with nothing but $50 in my account. I’ll never forget because it was the beginning of February and I just paid my rent. I prayed for about an hour because I knew that I didn’t come all this way to not see what was next for me. I started typing my resignation letter effective immediately. When I turned in the letter that morning and walked out of that building, it set the tone for everything, especially where I am now. That was the starting place for me learning what faith really was. It taught me discipline. It humbled me because there were days and weeks where I ate the same meal everyday. There were days where my lights were off. It really was the place where I was stretched the most, but it created something resilient. I wouldn’t be who or where I am without that season.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all. The road was far from smooth. My first year of being in business for myself was by far the hardest. I struggled in ways I never thought I would. Not just financially but mentally, it took a toll on me. When you’ve been given a vision that no one understands but you, it can be very lonely. I had some family that thought I was stupid or irresponsible for quitting a job with benefits to be in business for myself. Some of them wouldn’t help me when I reached out because they didn’t understand. I had to learn quickly that everyone won’t understand your journey. I remember one time I only had $10 in my account. I went and bought things to make spaghetti and a box of oatmeal and I ate that for a week. My parents helped out as much as they could and they supported me but I didn’t want to feel like I was a burden on them. So there were many times where I just dealt with things on my own and tried to figure it out myself. It was humbling but it also created a resilience in me that I’m more than thankful for now.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My business is centered around interior design and remodeling. “I make pretty things with power tools”. That’s my slogan. I transform spaces for clients. Bedrooms, bathrooms, home theatre rooms, create accent walls and more. I’m honestly not really sure what I’m known for yet lol but I am most proud of how many lives I’ve been able to impact through design. Many people may think that it’s just a bedroom or a wall but it’s really more than that. It’s about creating a home, a space that my client loves to be in. A space that brings them peace. When I do reveals and I get to see how their eyes light up, that’s everything for me! And to be honest, I think what sets me apart is the fact that I’m a black woman doing this on my own. I haven’t gotten to the place where I’ve built a team of people to work on projects for me. It’s been just me and now one other black female Melissa who does all of my painting. I load up all of my materials in my Kia Optima and I make it work. You should see the looks and laughs I get when I’m at Lowes or Home Depot. Lol.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Be who YOU are! You don’t have to change to try and fit the mold of other people. What’s meant for you will be yours! Now, it’s not going to be easy and you’ll have a lot of bumps along the way but if you stay focused, stay committed and authentic to who you are, then everything else will come. One of my favorite scriptures says, “Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9. In other words, You can even imagine what your life could be. Even if you had some sort of vision, God can go beyond that. I give God all the credit for where I am now. There’s no way around it. And the beauty of it all is this is just the beginning. I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of what’s coming.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anothadiyproject/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateJKing
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkAhUISaTLacpnhF3GeR9UA