Today we’d like to introduce you to Bella Jade.
Hi Bella, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been interested in hair since taking my transition from relaxed to natural into my own hands in 6th grade. I big chopped in 8th grade. Constantly on natural hair forums, reading articles and studying youtube videos. I was deterred from doing hair when my hs mentor refused to approve me to go to cosmetology vocational school. He said I was meant to make something more of myself. So i went to college only to drop out after my first year in 2016. I was juggling being a server and a cna from 2016-2021. None of which was a passion. In these lines of profession, however, I did realize I had a personality to connect with people of all ages. December of 2020, mid-pandemic I started teaching myself how to braid with extensions. With no intention of being a self-taught stylist in a mere four months after. I started to assist the stylist @maggiestylez. I took little interest in weave and was a braider. She then later ended up giving me my first official weave client when I had a booth of my own (April 2021) for a frontal sew-in. Which was my first time ever doing the service. Tho it took longer than anticipated I killed it !
And to this day she is a loyal client of mine and we’ve been making magic ever since! I was doing just about all services individual braids, feed ins, faux locs, rod sets, ponys, weaves and wigs all of which I perfected myself. With the help of tips and tricks from all the stylist in mink little’s salon💚. I now work closer to home only focusing on weaves, wigs and ponys. I aim to not only shine light on your beauty through hair but also provide a bit of therapy without the worry of judgement and of course confidentiality. I want women to feel they have a sense of camaraderie. I’m all for the healing and growth of all women and now with the help of Slay inc and my soon to come youtube, I’ll be able to reach more women and have a positive energy that can impact them for the better. I’ve recently found a new passion for writing poetry. So now 2023, I’m thinking of new ways to combine my talent and my passion for the betterment of our society.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a young mother and new entrepreneur has had its ups and downs especially pertaining to boundaries. I found myself in a tough predicament feeling overworked and used for my kind heart. Stressed so much only 8 months into my new career, it triggered me to have Bell’s palsy for the whole month of January 2022 .5 months later I found myself being a single mother and homeless. After a very rough rest of the year. It was time to set things right or I could see myself closing off to everyone and everything. Then I realized I am the master of my fate and it’s time to teach ppl how to treat me. I started to set strong boundaries for all people in my life; clients, friends and family. I’ve been gaining my power back, however I had to start almost all over rebuilding clientele who respects my business and me. I had a lot of clients in the beginning who didn’t value the quality but the price and leniency. While also learning the woman I am constantly growing into every day. With the help of my close friends, family and most importantly god I am able to tackle every day better than the day before and getting closer to discovering the purpose he has on my life. I am grateful to not be where I was five years ago as a college dropout with no sense of direction.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a hairstylist. I have not determined my specialty service because I can do many well but I am known for wig installs. I am most proud of being able to instill a feeling of beauty and hope in the women that grace my chair. What sets me apart from others is my heart, my optimism, my genuineness and that I am an empath.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
In order to be extraordinary, you have to take risks. My rapid career change was a major risk to me because I didn’t have confidence that I could bring clients. A new risk of mine is my youtube channel. I’ve been meeting strong resistance with the action of starting it since 2012 when I graduated middle school. Because I am a perfectionist. I’ve recently recorded my first video and am in the process of building my channel! It won’t be perfect but it’s a start! And Im excited to see how the internet takes to me! Follow my Instagram to be updated of my first release!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jbellaslays.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jbellaslays?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breana.jade.5?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Pictures of me taken by @undocheri
