Today we’d like to introduce you to Jahara Jennae
Jahara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up as a creative. I played the piano competitively, sang, and graduated from a performing arts school. My time on stage really caused me to fall in love with the process behind the scenes. The biggest interest was the makeup and costuming department.
I began exploring the world of makeup through theater and it grew from there. Starting my business in college from my dorm, I knew nothing about business and everything about art. I was determined to figure it out. I simultaneously was running a calligraphy business and that was actually my entry point into weddings. I fell in love with the beauty of a wedding day, I had a bride who needed support with her hair and makeup at the last minute. While I hadn’t worked a wedding, I had plenty of experience doing makeup on anxious and high need girls! So I took the opportunity and immediately knew that it was for me.
Fast forward I entered the world of tv and film and editorial fashion. Having the ability to work consistently in so many forms of beauty has really been so fun for me. Everything from capital one commercials to Paris fashion week, it’s never a dull moment. I went from having 4 brush sets that I had to wash every day so I could get through my clients, to being able to service 20+ clients in one weekend. I moved from Va beach to Richmond to really grow my business and immerse myself in a professional art scene and that was the best thing I could do. Now living right outside DC and servicing the entire state, I never would’ve imagine I’d be here.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth would not be the adjective I’d choose to describe my journey ! Haha but I can say, it’s been intentional. I have been very intentional with every choice I’ve made to get myself here. I knew exactly what my goals were. My first year in business, I made $5000. Fast forward to now; and I run a 6 figure beauty business that employs 10 amazing women. I believe my intentionality really played a huge part in that.
I also made sure to stay humble and extremely grateful. I was grateful for every step. Whether it was having 5 clients a month or 50, I was always so appreciative for any opportunity.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
So I specialize in 3 areas of beauty. I do weddings. My company books anywhere from 100-150 weddings a year, and I personally work about 70-75 of those.
I also work heavily in the tv and film world. I find myself specifically on a lot of corporate production sets. Things like Commercials for banks, hospitals, universities, etc.
Lastly, creative fashion editorials. This is one of my favorite places to show up as a creative because it’s the most artistic. I really get to push myself, break the rules, and tell a story with my art and I absolutely love that.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I would say the two things that have been the biggest lessons for me are, you need community and you have to be grateful.
It is so easy to feel the weight of competition, and get caught up in yourself. However, it’s so much easier to grow and to learn if you connect with the community. Learning from others who are better than you, supporting other artists, connecting with other people within this world of professional art is so important. There are not many people who understand what it is like to run a business, especially a creative business. Having those people to lean on, to learn from, and to support you is crucial to surviving this field.
I also learned, that you have to be grateful. Grateful for the one client or grateful for the hundred. From the person who is willing to trust you with their important life moment, to the high profile important business project, they both deserve the same professionalism, art, and experience. I was thankful every step of the way. If I could pay only one bill with the money that I made for make up, I was thankful. When I could pay all of my bills with the money I made from make up I was thankful. I feel like especially as we grow as artist, it is easy to forget to be humble and gracious. I’ll never lose that. It’s a blessing to have clientele, it’s a blessing to be sought out, it’s a blessing to have credentials. I’ll never take that for granted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beautybyjaharajennae.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautybyjaharajennae/
