Today we’d like to introduce you to Jakiya Jones.
Hi Jakiya, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story started in Jackson Tn where I was born and raised. Growing up, I was always taught to go to school, get an education, and work in the healthcare field, so that is what I did. After high school, I moved to middle Tn to attend college at Middle Tennessee state university. I graduated in 2016 with a B.S. in Health Education with a concentration in community and public health. After college, I worked in corporate America for a couple of years, but my heart just was not in it. The everyday life of commuting to work and sitting behind a desk for hours was mentally and physically draining to me. I knew for a fact that was not the life I wanted for myself. I knew Entrepreneurship was something I was made for. My mother has been self-employed as a cosmetologist pretty much my entire life so it’s literally all I’ve ever known. Then, in 2018 came the greatest blessing I never knew I needed, my son. Anyone who has children will tell you, that your offspring will light a fire in you that you didn’t know you had. I just knew from the day my son was born, I wanted to be someone he could be proud of. So, for the next year of our life, I brainstormed many ways to exit my 9 to 5 and begin my journey as a full-time, entrepreneur. In July of 2019, I took a leap of faith and started 2 businesses that literally changed my life. I started a HairCare company called Dream Avenue Hair Care, while simultaneously replacing my 9 to 5 with becoming a full-time in-home childcare provider. Both of my businesses took off and were prospering. I even had a waiting list for my in-home childcare services, so I then started the process to open an actual childcare facility. Everything was great until early 2020 when the covid-19 pandemic hit. I lost all of my children except for 2 due to their parents losing their jobs, and I faced hardships on the business side of my hair care company due to a supply shortage around the world. Fast forward to August of 2020, my son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Needless to say, 2020 was a hard year for me. I didn’t give up though, I knew I had to figure something out. I needed something that would allow me to still be home with my son, So I went back to the one skill that was natural to me, cosmetology. I took another leap of faith, and in September of 2020, I became a full-time certified braid stylist. Fast forward to today I am still a full-time braid stylist but I am also a mommy blogger where I share our autism journey and promote autism awareness while helping moms create mom/life balance. Not only that, I co-host a podcast called Two & Three Podcast with my childhood friend where our goal is to heal, inspire, and motivate people all around the world. I guess you could call me a serial entrepreneur. I aim to live life FREE, doing whatever my heart desires.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to entrepreneurship has definitely not been easy. I think the hardest part for me has been creating that mom/life balance for sure! I’m a very hands-on parent and so the most important thing to me is not missing a beat in my son’s life. That has required me to make some huge sacrifices in my career financially, but I wouldn’t change any of it. Also, risk-taking isn’t easy. I have anxiety, and the uncertainty of risk-taking can really get to me sometimes, but I’ve learned from the great will smith that the best things in life live on the other side of fear. We have two options in life, 1. Live where we are uncomfortable and unhappy, or do what it takes to live the life we desire. It’s really that simple, so my advice to the world and the one thing I want people to learn from my story is to take that leap of faith. Life is literally too short, and No matter what, you will always end up exactly where you are supposed to be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The thing I am most known for is braiding. I specialize in knotless braids. I believe that braiding is an art, and me being consistent and precise with my work is what sets me apart from others. I take my time and make sure my clients are satisfied with their services.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.jakiyajo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakiyajo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9yiDHzBB_e45Iy1BidIvA
- Other: https://msha.ke/jakiyajo/
