Today we’d like to introduce you to Jules Smith.
Hi Jules, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born in Shreveport Louisiana, I spent my life chasing acceptance, battling body images, bullying, and enduring the unimaginable loss of my daughter at 21yo. Through that
heartbreak I rebuilt myself, shedding over 100 pounds, finding strength in CrossFit, and stepping onto runways from New York to Los Angeles. More information about the
transformation I made can be found in my transformation story at the link below.
This is where my story begins. Here’s an update of my story since then. I moved to Nashville in 2019 and began working at a CBD manufacturer for 8 months. I learned all I could before COVID and then I left to start my own skincare business. While developing my skincare line and getting the business going, I continued to grow as a model. I took myself to NYC to study under the 90’s Supermodel Coco Rocha. She taught me the business side, runway side, and how to be more high fashion with my work. From there I worked on several films and began my runway journey. I started working along side non profit organization Fashion Is For Every Body here in Nashville. I helped put their runway on a livestream platform making it accessible worldwide. My work with FIFEB eventually lead to me designing and hand crafting two adaptive and all inclusive collections in 2022 and 2023, with my first collection in 2022 being finished in 38 days prior to show date. While pursuing diversity in fashion I worked as a brand ambassador for businesses like Chevrolet and the CMA Fest, Taylor Swift and Capital One, Anheuser-Busch’s Michelob Ultra and FIFA World Cup, Canva, and Sallys Apizza and F1 Racing. While working branding gigs, I continued to my fashion modeling and skincare business. I went on to walk Los Angeles Fashion Week 2023, New York Fashion Week 2023, 2024, 2025, and Fashion Is For Every Body 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. I also modeled for Nossi’s classes and classes at photography conferences such as Canon Imaging USA, WPPI in Las Vegas and Shutterfest in St Louis. Continuing to build the skincare business in my spare time lead me to a certification in Aromatherapy. Working little by little on the skincare using my friends and family as clients for feedback lead me to giving away batches of skincare from face moisturizer, body lotion, hand cream, foot cream, and a muscle gel. I worked hard to infuse my products with the highest quality of CBD and essential oils. I got to where I was making products for about 30 people at a time over the last 6 years, I finally decided to launch the skincare website, HempUrWayCosmetics.com. With that I also launched it in Google reviews. Next I was approved to be apart of the 12th South Farmers Market on Tuesdays from 4:00pm-7:00pm May through October. I’m happy to say our first in person event with actual sales will be happening on Cinco De Mayo, May 5, 2026. I also have not given up modeling or my brand work. I have plans to model NYFW and FIFEB in fall 2026. It will also be my 4th year with Chevy& the CMAs and my first year with NASCAR.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been an easy road. I constantly live every day without my daughter and as time passes I wish more and more to have the chance to be a mother to another child. I also don’t know if anyone else would have taken the route I have to getting here. It’s a great deal of applying to jobs while having to have an unwavering determination to commit to a dream unknowing if it will succeed. I think I spent every morning for the first 5 years in Nashville looking and applying to work modeling, film or brand jobs. It’s definitely a different feeling to wake up and be focused on the skincare business side instead but it’s been very fulfilling as well to know I have finally made it to this point. I just hope my daughter sees the kind of life I have built and is proud of it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in CBD custom formulations for all kinds of skin care needs. I’m known for my modeling work as a fashion creator. I’m most proud of the children I help to raise as a nanny after loosing my daughter, the fight for inclusion in modeling, and my adaptive fashion designs. I think what sets me apart from others is my hope in better tomorrow. I have seen that life can give you beauty even after the ashes.
Any big plans?
The biggest shift I have made will be less gig work and more consistency. Making a shift from finding work every day to a consistent position. Also holding myself accountable to show up for that business weekly. As for plans in the future. I’m actively hoping for another child. My partner and I have grown more serious over the last year and I’m hoping that it will continue to grow into something more beautiful than the finest Chanel suit.
Pricing:
- Face & Neck Cream $35
- Body Lotion $45
- Hand Cream $45
- Foot Cream $45
- Muscle Gel $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://julessjsmith.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliebluemodels
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CbK8v9cS8/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jules-sj-smith-58a5b0a6
- Yelp: https://g.page/r/Ceg-TZlW4MpOEBI/review
- Other: https://hempurwaycosmetics.com/
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Joel Mora
@joelmoraphotography
Image 1: Paige Marie @_thebossgal
Image 2: Tosha Gaines @toshaphotog
Image 3: NA
Image 4: @mycontentcomplex
Image 5: NA
Image 6: Clint Searcy @Searcy_Studios
Image 7/8: Kristen Haughton
@moonchild_photography_studios
Image 9/10: Jules Smith
