Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Mckenzie.
Jasmine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Memphis, TN but I have been a Houston resident since 2015. My story begins when I was around 5 years old. I can vividly remember my mother braiding my sisters and I hair. Of course, as a little girl, I mimicked her and I would play with my baby doll, making styles and, of course, cutting their hair completely off. I begin seriously braiding hair when I was in middle school. I started on myself first, sitting in front of a mirror. Then, I begin to braid my cousins, aunts, and grandmother’s hair. I was extremely good at braiding hair by the time I was in high school. My aunt who owns a hair salon in Memphis would often have my cousins and I assist her on the weekends with her clients who wanted braids and we would make money.
While in high school, I enrolled in the dual career path because I wanted to still pursue college as well as get my license in cosmetologist. While in the cosmetology program I learned the ins and out about hair. I also gained my entire 15oo credit hours to apply for my state licenses. After graduating high school, I attended The University of Tennessee at Knoxville where I obtained both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. However, while attending the college I would provide hair service to all the college students and women in the surrounding areas. It was in that moment during college when I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in the hair industry in depth. It was not until after obtaining my Masters that I applied and obtained my cosmetology license. Even while working as a Social Worker, I still provided hair services after work and on the weekends to clients. I did utilize my degree for about 4 years before deciding to quit in June 2017.
After quitting my full-time job as a Social Worker, I took a leap of faith to pursue entrepreneurship and opened my own private salon suite, JazzBeautyBar, to go after my passion. I have been in busy now approaching 1 year. JazzBeautyBar is both a salon and an online hair store. In our salon, we provide a full range of salon services, extensions, natural and relaxed hair care. We also provide tailored Custom Wigs for both medical and personal wear for women.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been a smooth journey being an entrepreneur but it has been worth it. Anything in life worth having will definitely come with obstacles and challenges. As a new stylist in Houston, I have struggled with finding the right clients and setting myself apart with my unique services. It was indeed a struggle in the beginning but God has been faithful and has sent me clients consistently. I prayed a lot and had to trust the word of God which says and I will paraphrase, “your gift will make room for me” (KLV) Proverbs 18:16. My advice to younger women who are starting their journey is to stay connected to your source of faith, stay determined and persistent with your goals, truly work overly hard in everything you. Do not get caught up in other’s success, stay focus on your own journey and know that what is meant for you and it will find you.
We’d love to hear more about Jazz Beauty Bar.
I am a licensed cosmetologist and salon owner. I provide a full range of salon services including weaving, natural hair care and relax hair care. I specialize in creating a tailored custom wig for personal and medical wear for women. My tailored custom wigs are specifically created for women who are suffering from hair loss due to improper hair care or medical diagnosis. However, even if you do not suffer from hair loss, my custom units are still created to offer women convenience in the salon, relieve excess tension from their scalp and follicles unlike traditional weaves and the availability to still provide routine maintenance to their natural hair. They are also great protective styles for women who are transitioning from relaxed to natural hair or starting their fitness journey.
I am most proud of how my custom wigs are helping women both with hair loss or those seeking to revitalize their hair from years of damage from chemicals and traditional weaves. The testimonies from past and recent clients regarding their overall experience with my business JazzBeautyBar has been fundamental. I believe what sets me apart from other stylist is that I have recognized a problem, hair loss, and excessive damage, and I want to provide a solution. I have experienced personally hair loss from excessive chemicals, braiding, and weaving. When I did see the problem I immediately started wearing wigs which have contributed to the integrity and growth of my natural hair. I will be taking advancing education courses soon to further my knowledge in trichology to further be able to provide my clients with alternative solutions other than wigs for those who may not want to wear them.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Yes, mentors are great!!! I believe it is vital to every aspiring and current entrepreneur. You want to seek a mentor that is obviously successful and who has or is doing what you are aspiring to do. They can share their expertise on how to avoid certain mistakes and make smarter business decisions that will progress you on your own journey. You just need someone who has more wisdom and experience than you. Again, make sure it is not a random person, you want them to be in a similar industry as you. Both having a mentor and networking with other small businesses have worked well for me. I attend networking events as often as I can, so that usually connects me to other stylists, photographers, caterings and sometimes customers. You also will learn from others who are your level of entrepreneurship who can offer you advice and wisdom.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12350 Westheimer Road Suite 128 Houston TX 77077
- Website: www.jazzbeautybar.com
- Phone: 901-626-4051
- Email: service@jazzbeautybar.com
- Instagram: @jazzbeautybar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JazzBeautyBar/
Image Credit:
JazzBeautyBar
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