Life & Work with Jayauna Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayauna Smith.

Hi Jayauna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Braids by Jayyyy started when I was a struggling college student in 2016, who did her own hair. My friend asked me to try it on her and the rest was history. I started doing hair in Bowling Green, KY where I went to college. I later moved to Nashville in 2018.

I worked at Tennessee State University for a year and a half but still felt the passion to continue braiding. So I quit my job in 2019 to follow my passion. I started off traveling to clients’ houses, to find my own suite in 2020. Now I’m here today and my business is truly blessed.

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?
The road to where I am now have not been the easiest. I’ve had some days I beat myself up cause I felt the client didn’t like their hair, but in reality, they would come back so I knew I was doing something right. I have really bad anxiety when it comes to my work cause I am an artist and I’m sensitive about my sh*t.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in knotless braids, box braids, soft locs, and tribal braids. I’m probably known for the most is my knotless braids. I think what sets me apart from others is my neatness. When I braid hair I take my time to make sure every braid looks like the other.

Who else deserves credit for your story?
God has truly been on my side this whole way. I don’t think I’ve could have made it without my relationship with God. Also, my family plays a big part in my life. Although they are in Indianapolis, they know I’m doing big things here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://braidsbyjayyyy.as.me/schedule.php
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braidsbyjayyyy/

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