Story & Lesson Highlights with Jessica Baker-Bentley

Jessica Baker-Bentley shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Jessica, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Would I hire me? Absolutely. Because I know my vision has value, my work ethic is solid, and my heart is in the right place. I’m teachable and willing to learn more.

I would hire me because I’m dependable, dedicated, driven, and adaptable. I’ve learned how to build from the ground up, overcome setbacks, and still show up with excellence and faith. I understand that leadership isn’t just about running a business — it’s about inspiring people, creating opportunities, and building something that lasts.

Yes, without hesitation. As an entrepreneur, I bring passion, purpose, and persistence to everything I do. I don’t just dream — I execute. I lead with integrity, creativity, and a genuine desire to help others grow along the way.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m known for being different, creative, unique, or extra extraordinary, Whether it’s with my hair, my clothes, my style, my pictures or any of my businesses. So most likely, when you see me or anything that I do it won’t look like the average person/business.

So when I was younger, oftentimes people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grow up, and I always said a Business Woman and a Cosmetologist. Well, one of my sisters and her best friend thought that was funny, but on today, God has blessed me with BOTH. And not knowing I would have MULTIPLE BUSINESSES. So yes I’m a SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR. I’m a Master Cosmetologist/Certified Trichologist, Professional Braider, Custom clip on hair unit designer, Christian Comedian,,Visionary Author and Minister. So let’s take a look on how God did all this for lil oh me.

So growing up my mom would do my hair, but Lord knows I didn’t like how she did it. Lol. So when I would get to school, I would take it down and TRY to redo it my way. Lol. But that didn’t last long. So after I graduated Fitzgerald High School, I went to Wiregrass Technical College in Fitzgerald, Ga and got my Business Office Tech Certificate in 2000 and then I went on to International City Beauty School in Warner Robins, Ga and got my Master Cosmetology Certificate in 2003. And I completed and graduated from both.

Well growing up I didn’t really have any interest in braiding or did I watch anybody braid hair but that is what God Gifted my hands to do. But In 2003 is when my cosmetology journey started in Warner Robins, GA. So one of my God sisters worked at the bank on the Air Force Base and different ladies would see her hair and ask who did it and she would tell them me. And that’s where my clientele began. She would give them my number and I started braided day and night. And my clientele continued to increase. Then I was blessed to work in two different salons to braid and style hair.

Well a couple of years after that I went through a transition/divorced and I had to move back to my hometown Fitzgerald, Ga. so then I had to REBUILD my clientele there. While in the process of rebuilding my clientele
I was blessed to work at Ocilla Housing Authority for a few years.

So on the side I would style I would style my mother’s hair and then ladies around town would see her hair and inquire about it, so then she would refer the ladies to me.

And eventually my clientele would increase. And then I remember praying and praying and praying to God to BLESS ME WITH MY OWN SALON. And God did just that. While working at the housing authority one of the maintenance men begin to tell me about his sister n law had a salon building that I possibly could work in. And to make a long story short. The salon building had been sitting up for a couple of years with no one in there. And I will BLESSED to get the building and start renting from 2013-2021. But in 2020, my landlord decided she wanted to sell the building and all I can say it was one of the most CHALLENGING but DETERMINED things, but I DIDN’T GIVE UP ON GETTING IT until I GOT IT.

– Denied TWICE from two different banks… BUT I DIDN’T GIVE UP

– Others came close to purchasing it… BUT I DIDN’T GIVE UP

– Aggravated, Frustrated, Sleepless Crying nights… BUT I DIDN’T GIVE UP

So June 2021, I became the business owner and building owner of my salon “The After Glow Salon and Spa” in Downtown Ocilla, Georgia… and I’m thankful I have some awesomeness loyal clients that keep me busy there.

Then in 2016, I became the founder of Jess~B Toons Edu~Tainment Cartoon Characters. In which I had about 8 Big Cartoon Characters where me and my team go out and perform at festivals, parades, birthday parties and etc. (2016-2023)

Also in 2018, I became a comedian and my stage name is “Motha OldaMae”. Growing up I enjoyed doing skits at church but I didn’t think about pursuing it at all. Well, thenI started posting random funny videos of me entertaining others on social media especially when God sent S-N-O-W to Ocilla, GA in January of 2018, And it went from there. People’s started contacting me to perform at different events. So, I had to come up with a stage name, and with the help of her family, we came up with Motha Oldamae (because of family history in which my mom called me Oldamae growing up, Lol). Then God started giving me ideas for my appearance and instead of a regular cane, God led me to use two plungers to connect together to make it a cane. This would become her Releasing Plunger Cane. The motto behind this is: If you have any spirits in you that have you STOPPED UP, STUCK UP OR TOO SAVED UP, you may need a releasing in your life. So at each event, Motha Oldmae is likely to PLUNGE somebody and give them a RELEASING. Laughter is just like medicine, it’s good for your soul and can Heal your soul. (Prov. 17:22)

NOT ONCE did I say BOOK ME OR CALL ME, but since then, the doors have been opening and people have been contacting me. And Since Jan. 2018-Until now and I have traveled all over GA and some parts of FL performing appeared on the radio, the word network and other TV platforms like Ruko, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.

Then in 2020, I became a Visionary Author of a book entitled “Single and Surviving”.

I’ve been married/divorced and now single and have four beautiful children through it all. And I never thought I would be in the single zone this long (about 12ish years lol) but anywho… when you LEARN to embrace, accept and be content in WHATEVER state GOD has you in, he will have you birth out things you NEVER thought you would…

I never thought I would put a BOOK TOGETHER… But God gave me the VISION for my book a few years ago and now my book is about two years old on being out on the market.

The vision was to reach out to different single Men and Women to get their TRUE STORIES and TRUE EXPERIENCE of a season in their life of what they went through while “SINGLE AND SURVIVING.” So it’s based off my story and 25 other anonymous people’s stories. This POWERFUL book will encourage you to find hope, healing and happiness.

And in May of 2022 I was blessed to be interviewed by Mrs. Angela Kelly from the OCP TV Inspirational channel. And from there the producers were impressed of all my accomplishments and businesses and they asked me about starting my own show. So in July 2022 I decided to do just that, and I became the host of my TV show “Creatively Different with Jessica” For the OCP TV Inspirational Channel. And this Channel can be found on Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Strimm and also our website at www.ocpitv.com. This particular TV season ended Nov. 2023

August 2022 I started creating my own custom hair clip-on units. And then in started promoting them and started creating them for people with short hair and for people that can’t afford to go to the hair salon every week. They are removable and reusable units that are low maintenance and very versatile.

May 2024, I enrolled back in school at Albany Technology College for The Cosmetology Instructor Course and in May 2025 I graduated with the certificate for it.

January 2025 I published “If Tears Could Talk Devotional Journal”

“IF TEARS COULD TALK DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL” is dedicated to every person that’s experiencing different life situations with different emotions ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Whether the experiences and emotions come through pain, joy, frustration, excitement, celebration or grief. Also to the ones that don’t know if they’re coming or going, or don’t know if they want to give up and quit or just get up and keep going. I dedicate this devotional journal to you all and I pray you’re able to express your tears, thoughts and feelings on each page.

July 2025 I hosted my first: “After Glow Braiding Camp” with young girls ages 8-16 years old. Giving them a space for me to teach them how to braid and a atmosphere for them to learn and grow more in the braiding field.

In September 2025 I opened up
“The After Glow Braiding Clinic” Is open on Monday’’s and Tuesday’s for children and adults (ages 10 and up)

-These are hands on training classes to teach individuals how to braid, to sharpen their skills, and to learn different techniques on how to braid. There are 2 Classes: The Beginners Braiding Class and The Advanced Braiding Class. Also I manage students progress and provided one-on-one guidance to ensure skill mastery. Organized community outreach programs to expand access to braiding education

I’m also a Minister, Evangelist, praise and worship leader and the coordinator of The Singles Ministry at my church Solid Rock of Praise Ministry in Ocilla, GA. Where my parents are Pastors.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up I use to think I would need a man to complete me and for me to achieve my goals in life, but I realized I just needed THE MAN… The MAN JESUS and through it ALLLLLLLLL he has blessed me and is still blessings me to accomplish so many things by leaning and depending on him.

I LOVESSSSSSSS ALL my children dearly. Jasmine Baker, Patrick Bentley jr. Christopher Bentley and Ziyah Robinson they are all my pride and Joys.

I’m most proud of ALLLLLLLLL my accomplishments in spite of all that I have faced and encountered. – Single Mother, four children, children out of wedlock, three baby daddies, divorced, denied, disowned, disappointments, fake friends, rejections, misused, lonely nights, crying throughout the nights, low money, no money, and the list goes on…. Ohhhhhhh 🙌🏽BUT GOD🙌🏽 is all I can say.

BUT GOD I DIDN’T GIVE UP BUT I GOT UP. I thought I needed a MAN to help me complete my goals but I realized I just needed THE MAN (GOD)… and GOD has blessed me beyond measures and with him I have accomplished the following:

Business Owner
Salon Building Owner
A Braiding Clinic
Professional Braider
Custom Hair Clip On Designer
Cosmetology Instructor
Author of 2 Books
Serial Entrepreneur
Comedian

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Whewwwwww PLENTY of times I almost gave up, but one in particular.

Well, I got pregnant right before I graduated in 1999 with my 1st daughter, (I almost gave up) Then I got married in 2005 and had two sons during my marriage and then, me and my husband started having problems in which we couldn’t seem to work out which lead to a divorce, so I became disappointed, discouraged, and devastated with that process and before the divorced was finalized I found myself pregnant AGAIN from another guy with my 4th child. So yes, I have four children with three baby daddies. In which I would never thought that would be. ( I almost gave up) And I didn’t know how I was gone make it trying to work pursue my goals and dreams with all I was facing.

BUT GOD I DIDN’T GIVE UP BUT I GOT UP. I thought I needed a MAN to help me complete my goals but I realized i just needed THE MAN (GOD)… and GOD has blessed me beyond measures and with him I have accomplished the following:

Business Owner
Salon Building Owner
A Braiding Clinic
Professional Braider
Custom Hair Clip On Designer
Cosmetology Instructor
Author of 2 Books
Serial Entrepreneur
Comedian
And More

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Tabitha Brown, I love her, her purpose, her light, her style and her creative.

Tabitha Brown is a living reminder that it’s never too late to walk in purpose. After years of struggle, sickness, and uncertainty, she chose faith over fear — and that choice changed everything. Through her gentle voice, vibrant smile, and soul-deep wisdom, Tabitha teaches the world that healing starts with what we speak, what we feed our bodies, and how we love ourselves.

Her journey to becoming a beloved actress, author, and vegan food icon began NOT with FAME, but with FAITH. She started sharing her story online — cooking vegan meals, speaking life over others, and spreading joy — and before long, her light reached millions.

Tabitha’s message is simple yet powerful: be kind, trust God’s timing, and live true to who you are. She reminds us daily that peace, joy, and purpose come when we stop chasing the world’s approval and start embracing the love within.

As she always says — “Have yourself the most amazing day, but if you can’t, don’t you dare go messin’ up nobody else’s.”

And I actually did a photoshoot representing her for black history and her birthday. I included a few pictures and I’m praying I meet her real soon one day.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I feel like I’m doing what I was born to do. I feel like I’m walking and working in my God given purpose.

Purpose is rarely about self alone…. it’s often about impacting lives, teaching, or helping others flourish.. The more you serve, the clearer your purpose becomes.

God often places your purpose at the intersection of your skills, passions, and opportunities to serve others.
Walking in your God-given purpose is about aligning your life, choices, and actions with the gifts, calling, and direction God has placed in your heart.

I feel that my talents and gifts are being fully used. Even when successful, I still want to learn, expand, and create new things. My Passion and purpose often keep evolving, I feel called to do more and leave a bigger impact. Even when the work is hard, it energizes me rather than drains me.

Walking in purpose requires faith, action, courage, and sometimes risk.

So you usually start where you are and take steps even if the full path isn’t visible yet.. God honors our obedience and trust, not perfection. So I pray I continue to follow where he leads me so I can complete what he has called me to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessicaspurpose.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica_baker_bentley?igsh=MXE0Nm00cW9rdWtnNQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CBj92tE7y/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jessicabentley7512?si=jHtwzTqP1lP3Bl99
• Other: Email: Jessicabentley4409@gmail.com

  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessicab481?_t=ZP-90XTJUmrDry&_r=1

Image Credits
Sarah Roberts: Professional

Damien Moss: DJM Photography

Dj Spence: Djspence’s freestlyle and artistic photography

Angie AjAjay photography