We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasheana Hamilton . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasheana below.

Jasheana, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Well it all started when my father passed away in June 28th, 2020 from cardiac arrest. I got the call while doing regular daily chores, walking my dog. Life had shifted for me an instant, like it couldn’t be real because he had flew to Houston to see me a month prior and we had last talked 2 days before the news of his passing. My reality bubble cracked because it was then that I finally realized life was short, and entirely too unpredictable to live a life that you complain day in and day out, neglect your mental health for the sake of others, and to be afraid of the unknown. I had always had it in my mind to be in the beauty industry, preferably lashes and eyebrows based. I was tired of putting it off, so I decided to put the time Aside to take a lash class but I didn’t have the full amount to pay for the class so I asked my uncle (my dads baby brother) to help with the investment. He had me Type an essay on why I want to do lashes and what’s my plan from
There on out. He ended up paying for the class in full instead of accepting my request to pay half. I took the class July 2020. Practiced on ten people for free, and then quit shortly after after many panic attacks. It took me 8 hours to do one of my friends. I started falling into a
Depression around oct 2020 and got a phone call from
My uncle to give it (lashes) another try. My job had cut my hours from 50 hours a week to almost 15 hours week because of
Covid so I picked up another job at fed ex for night shift as package handler. I decided to fit lashes into my schedule for $15-20 per set just to build a portfolio but most
Times I did them for free because some girls arent that willing to pay when you aren’t up to speed if you know what I mean. I even took it as far to make business cards and pass them out to the female donors at the plasma center I worked for as senior phlebotomist at. I technically was working 3 jobs when you include practicing lashes. I was doing all of that and my depression was still severely eating up at me, but I kept going on. So now let’s bring it to Feb 2021 a week after the infamous Houston ice storm; it’s time ro
Go back to work.
Everyone one my shift just happened to call off that day. I was highly upset because the only people on the job was myself and this newly hired supervisor phlebotomist. As the time went on, I started to over Heat and not
Feel So great. When you’re working on the medical Field, especially during the time when Covid was at its highest peak, they are supposed To let you off The clock no questions asked. Ok top of That, The demand was high for
Donations that day and leadership did not want To Leave the office to help us. I asked someone to cover for me while I attempted to cool down and recoup. They kept denying me, and eventually told me that if I left early to go to urgent care, they would write me up. It was at that moment I realized the place I gave blood sweat and tears too did not give a hoot about me. I wasn’t even thinking about lashes at the moment but I told myself I’m finding another job and walked smooth on out that plasma center.
After that I’m like ok, cool, I have more
Time to practice lashes. So I did that while still
On indeed everyday looking for a job. No one would give me a job, but from all the footwork promoting I did for my lashes, I still
Kept busy. By March 2021, I was getting at least 3/4 girls a day hitting me up
For lashes so I raised my price to $45. I then decided I was gonna put the pause on indeed, and focus on lashes and consistency only and the rest is history. I haven’t punched a clocked since feb 2021.

Jasheana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m originally born in Toledo, Ohio and was raised there until 13 and then moved to Columbus, Ohio shortly after my 14th birthday. I’ve been in Houston since 2015 and boy the transition was slightly rougher than I had day dreamed it to be (lol). I was a smooth 20 years old..a baby really. Over time I’ve mastered some big girl skills and have digested some hard lessons that made for great characteristic straights and an amount of discipline i developed that I haven’t had before. In high school I was watching videos on YouTube of how to do my own make up, lashes and brows. My mom allowed me to dip into lashes and clean up my own eye brows with a eyebrow razor. The “kiss” cluster lashes in untrained black were my fave. I used to sit in the sink in the bathroom to get a good look for my placement. I always wanted to invest money and time into an education for it but finances played a huge role so I worked and only did my self maintenance over the years. One thing I can say that has been consistent is that wether I’m doing my own self care or a client, I always take integrity in my work and the way i educate myself and pass it on to my client. People see that lash extensions are popular and demand for them is honestly insane lol. They peep that and want to take a class for fast cash. I already know that when I decided to restart practicing in oct 2020 that it was going to take time, time to educate yourself, practice and then execute what you’ve learned in real time on a real person, the real test. Lash extensions take an extreme amount of patience, It’s a service that requires gentle care from the stylist to the client after care. I have had way too many clients that have came to me looking for a lash stylist that, is educated in the service she provides, strives to become better, and actually cares about their natural lash health. I take pride in proper placement and appropriate lengths and styles for all of my clients because everyone is unique..I put integrity before a dollar..the world
Is missing that out here. Faith and discernment is essential; I wouldn’t have ever made it this far, mentally,emotionally, and spiritually. What I’m proud of the most is how self aware I am now, no matter how scary it is to face certain things about one’s self. I want others to remember me as a woman who stuck her chest out and want others yo feel
Encouraged to do the same.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I want to start off by saying everyone talks about the upsides to having a business, but no one’s tells anyone about the cons too. My biggest 2 were adjusting to the power you posses when you are the generator of your own money and how burn out is easily possible.I was in a hustle mindset for almost 2 years with my lash brand. I was lashing from 8am to 10am. Neglecting my body, my mind, and the fact that I needed adequate sleep! For a short period I lost my creative vision and my love affair with lashes got stale. I gave my absolute last bit of juice to my lash brand. I made zero time for Me. 7 clients a
Day is insane! You get used to “fast money” and feel enslaved to feelings of needing to overwork yourself because you “need” money to survive …because that’s what you were used to working a 9-5 job and then doing over time and/or working PY jobs to provide. I wore myself
Out, I ate like crap, and almost never showed up
To gatherings I was invited to because I’d rather lash instead because happiness can be bought, right? Nope. wrong. Time is much more important and that’s the main reason why people self employ and to be honest I was afraid on cutting back my hours especially after having them the same for two years. Cutting back sounds scary lol. I cut them back in Jan and it’s been one of the best decisions I made. My mental state has turned around and im able to put more back into business. You have to be better for yourself in order
To be better for your business.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Continuing education on everything lash extension wise, natural eyelash bed health, keeping up with lash trends, friendly customer service, asking for feedback and being receptive to criticism. I believe this is the recipe that has kept me growing. I send emails 24 hours after their appointment asking them for feedback. Clients actually respond to them! I love reading them, every single one good or bad. They keep you growing business wise and personal development wise.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Thejadedwaylashco_