Local StoriesMarch 28, 2024

Daily Inspiration: Meet Jade Adhola

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Adhola.

Jade Adhola

Hi Jade, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Growing up I always had big dreams and aspirations, but they didn’t always seem feasible. At a young age, I auditioned for the X Factor and the Voice (obviously inspired by my love of One Direction – and singing, of course). But those wishes didn’t come to fruition since I was literally 12-15 years old. As the years went by I continued going to school and eventually started working in service to earn money in the evening. I eventually went to college at The University of Georgia and ended up graduating with honors.

During my time there I grew immensely in academics as I was previously pre-med and majored in both Biology and Anthropology. But even though I meticulously planned out my final two years, COVID destroyed the life I had been building up in Athens and threw off the plan I had crafted. I tried my hardest to remain positive and keep at the dreams I had manifested in college, but I had lost the momentum and the drive. With the resurgence of the BLM movement, I spent a lot of time researching and sharing information.

During this period I connected deeply to my black heritage and had to come to terms with a lot of things surrounding my mixed identity. It was a very tumultuous time for my spirit and I’ve felt the repercussions for years. I had found myself in a master’s program at Georgia State but found a passion for hospitality work at a local coffee shop. Once I realized I could sustain myself financially doing just coffee, I found myself leaving the program and just working – for the first time ever!

I was then able to start healing my relationship with myself and my loved ones. But I still had energy left over – so here comes my podcast! I started Why Not? With Jade to kept scratching at my curiosity and found another creative outlet in YouTube as well. So now I’m just working in coffee, crafting my own little corner of the internet, and spreading as much kindness as possible.

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?
I’ve always been able to take life by the horns. But those first couple of years after the emergence of COVID-19 were definitely the hardest – as I’m sure many readers can relate to. I’m very social and thrive in chaos, whether it’s a night out or prepping for Organic Chemistry I always try my best to handle it and do it smiling.

When I went home for the summer in 2020, I turned more and more to alcohol and one other recreational drug to help fill the time I had just sitting around at home. I was supposed to be studying for the medical school admissions test, but I couldn’t focus and had to accept that it wasn’t gonna be the score I had worked so hard for previously.

Accepting that there’s only so much we can do in the face of adversity is a hard pill to swallow but I’ve been learning in the past year how to cope with it in healthier ways. Cause life never stops throwing you curve balls!

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 like to consider myself a Renaissance woman – so I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve been doing makeup since about my junior year of high school. While it’s always been a hobby, I’ve done makeup for a couple of weddings and other clients – I try to keep it to close friends. If you’d like to see some of my work I post a lot of my makeup on my Instagram page – @jadeadholamua.

People say I could make a go of it professionally, but I always knew that wasn’t my path. Other than pursuing medicine for about 4 years and diving into medical anthropology, I found that science and people came together beautifully in coffee. I love the little moments people share in a coffee shop – hugs after not seeing each other for a while, or just sitting alone with a book.

In coffee, life is simple. It’s not hindered by outdated laws and insurance – it’s just checking off the to-do list and making sure the customers are happy. And I’m good at it! While customer service is RIFE with meanies and people who are hurting, sometimes just a smile and a warm cup of caffeine or tea can help brighten someone’s day. And I believe people are then better equipped to spread even more kindness and generosity – something everyone could use a cup of.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Other than my time in school, that doesn’t always come up naturally, I love food and cooking! I’ve been expanding my palette for food by trying different restaurants around the city and finding it to be another creative outlet at home. I also try to be as sustainably conscious as possible without hindering my mental health.

This includes shopping at thrift stores, recycling where possible, and one day starting a garden and composting system once we can build more of a home. (We currently rent and it can be difficult right now to keep up the house). I’ve also been very aware of this as I start working with brands and being as transparent and true to myself as possible. I hate lying, it increases my anxiety. However, I’ve found that going sober and working with a fitness coach has helped immensely with my chronic anxiety.

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