We recently had the chance to connect with Emijaa Jaaemil and have shared our conversation below.
Emijaa, 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: What is a normal day like for you right now?
LOL… A normal day for me is waking up at 5:30 am to prepare myself to get my 11 year old and my 9 year old ready for school. I usually start off snoozing my alarm a few times just to kind of lay in bed to mentally prepare for my day. I get up and gather myself first and then get the kiddos up and we are out the house around 7 am. I have worked for a law firm for 25 years and balance that with building EJCo. No two days are the same, depending on the day of the week and what is on my calendar for work… After getting the kids off to school, I’m either in the office or back home… I always check emails and plan out what I want to work on after work and on the weekends. Between the 9-5 and EJCo, I’m sourcing fabric, inspiration, sewing when I have large gaps of time, between homework or cooking dinner and during my son’s soccer practices or my daughter’s dance rehearsals. So the day varies and can be very chaotic but I always manage to squeeze in the time to work on EJCo. Looking forward to taking a leap of faith…
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Emijaa Jaaemil Lewis and I’m the solo mompreneur – owner, creator and everything in between for Emijaa Jaaemil Co. I design headwear like Turbans and Headwraps, Jewelry (using polymer clay and wire work), and clothing – specifically statement Kimono Robes. Both my mom and dad are super creatives – my mom being a seamstress and cosmetologist and my dad a woodworker. My mom and dad both taught me how to sew but it wasn’t until I became an adult that I started using the skill.
EJCo. actually started as a clothing brand with the original owner /designer being my mom. She use to make clothing for various celebrities in the 80’s and decided to name her brand – Emijaa Jaaemil. Fast forward, in 2012 I reclaimed the company and re-birthed it as Emijaa Jaaemil Co. but as a jewelry brand. In 2015 while pregnant with my son, I received a request from a popular social/media personality to create a “leather turban”. After successfully making the turban, my brand reached a new level and I started making turbans and headwraps.
Now, my brand has sold ALL over the world with many women and men wearing Emijaa Jaaemil Co. While building my brand has been challenging due to space, time, financial difficulties – my mom and dad have always continued to remind me that NOTHING is ever wasted and my time will come. Just keep creating. So although over the past few years, my brand has suffered a little bit – I still continue to create consistently and I’ve challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone and invest time in working on more complex garments and jewelry designs…
Currently, I’m working on rebuilding my brand – working with more luxurious fabrics, introducing new jewelry and clothing pieces.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
If I had to choose – I would have to say my parents saw me before I saw myself. And I say both of them b/c I am truly both my mom and my dad.
My parents have always encouraged me through every storm to continue being who I am. They always noticed that I had an eye for creating and they always made sure to nurture that without me really knowing that’s what they were doing. They have always spoken life into me. They have always encouraged me to stand on who I am and to make choices that are for me… I know I wouldn’t be the woman I am without the both of them… I’m a parent now of two and my parents are the reason why I speak life and nurture my own kids passions and talents… It’s important and I’m glad my parents – to this day – are my biggest supporters even at 42, they are the first phone calls with whatever I do.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think the fear of perfection has held me back the most… I find that with whatever I do – if it’s not perfect then I will sit on it… I’m very big on first impressions and when something doesn’t meet my “perfect” expectation, I will hold on to it and hold on to it – tweaking and tweaking and sometimes it never gets to the next stage.
I’m still learning to just put it out there… even if it’s not perfect or completely ready… and I can continue to work on it until it reaches my expectations but I have to put it out there… people can’t show interest if they don’t see or know about it… build the buzz, create the hype while you continue to work on things… putting it out only holds you accountable for getting it done!!
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes… besides putting on makeup lol… who you see is who I am… I’m a mom, business owner, daughter, auntie, friend… I try to remain as authentic as I can… you don’t reach your true potential being a fraud!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I only had 10 years left, I would stop worrying, keep more things private and live life for myself. Although I believe that I live my life for myself, there is still a part of me that seeks some type of approval. I think knowing that would force me to just LIVE, make the move and deal with what is to come after. I believe so many of us worry about what happens next or what someone will think or say and it forces us to hesitate on our choices… that hesitation is usually fear and doubt and a lot of times we don’t create it, others do FOR US… keep things private until you make the move… sometimes we just have to take that leap of faith and trust God and ourselves… trust that things will work out… the beauty of if all is that you can always try again…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emijaajaaemil.com
- Instagram: @emijaajaaemil
- Linkedin: @emijaajaaemil
- Twitter: @emijaajaaemil
- Facebook: Emijaa Jaaemil Co
Image Credits
Emijaa Jaaemil
Mikaela Pabon
