Today we’d like to introduce you to JaTaun Bolen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us JaTaun. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started making wigs for myself while I was in college because I couldn’t find anyone in Knoxville to do my hair, and as a freshman, I wasn’t traveling home frequently. In November of 2013 I made my first custom wig and since then thats all I’ve worn. As I continued making them for myself, I started making them for friends as I continued to perfect my craft.
At the time, I had no idea nor any plans to make a business out of it. I was studying broadcast journalism at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and hair was always a hobby that I was beginning to turn into a side hustle. Almost three years later, I quit my job, finished my senior internship and in January 2017, my last semester of college Queen JaT Customs was birthed.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I moved to Atlanta 11 days after I graduated with whatever could fit in my car. No job, no furniture, no savings but I had a dream and a plan. Its a struggle to start something from the ground up with absolutely nothing but hard work. If someone tells you their business start-up ran smoothly, it’s not true. Entrepreneurship is a constant rollercoaster and everyday you have to wake up and buckle up for the ride. You have no idea what turns and loops you’ll go through, but at the end of the ride, you’ll be glad you stayed down. I’m not ashamed to acknowledge I’m still struggling but thats a part of the process. I’m building something to last, I don’t expect it to be easy.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Queen JaT Customs – what should we know?
Queen JaT Customs specializes in natural looking, custom wig units. All units are handcrafted by The Crown Curator herself, Queen JaT using our 9A luxury virgin hair. We offer a variety of textures from Indian straight, body wave, loose wave to our curly and most versatile texture, Russian Lust. We are known and pride ourselves for our glue-less natural “crowns”. Your hair is the crown you never take off, so invest in it. We pride ourselves on the simplicity and quality of our units, where royalty meets affordable. Queen JaT Customs aims to give you the salon experience from the seat of your own throne. Claim your crown, find your inner queen.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Adriaunia Lewis, CEO of A’doir Hair Company deserves credit for me being involved in the beauty industry entirely. I met her when I was 16, she was my hairstylist. I used to just watch her, call and text her all the time I was so annoying trying to absorb as much as I could. I was in high school cosmetology at the time and she was enrolled in cosmetology school. Dri was the first person to ever tell me to take hair seriously. I actually sold hair for a short time in college before I started making wigs. Dri and I started Bombshell Tresses in 2015 and it was extremely short-lived. She believed in me before it was even an idea in my mind and I’ll never forget that. She’s been a big sister to me for almost nine years and I’ll always be grateful for her.
Dominique Webb, CEO of The Writer’s Block creative design studio deserves credit in my brand expansion and so much more. I met Dom in college and she’s been a big sister and a mentor to me in so many aspects. She’s helped develop the “business” side of my brand. There literally is not one thing she doesn’t know in my eyes, she plays a very big role in my day to day operations. When I first started, I was just posting pictures and a phone number to text. Domo helped curate my entire order process and has advocated in any aspect I’ve asked her to since day 1. From my email replies, legal things, dealing with customer issues, everything. She rebranded me in 2018 and I saw an overwhelming amount of sale increase as well as social media presence.
Without either of them, I wouldn’t be where I am right now and they’re constant loyalty and support are two of the main things I’ve fallen back on over the years when I need a push.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.queenjatcustoms.com
- Email: queenjatcustoms@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenjat_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jataun.yvonne
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/queenJAT_
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