We recently connected with Artavia Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Artavia, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
On July 11, 2008 I decided to take a risk and move out of my small hometown of South Bend Indiana & move to a larger city Atlanta Georgia with my family. I came to Atlanta first with two twin daughters at the age of two years old and left my husband in Indiana at our home that we had recently purchased to prove him that we could move to a bigger city for better opportunities. I had a plan , I attended The Art Institute of Atlanta for fashion for about one year and I decided that I wanted to continue my career in the beauty industry. I came to Atlanta with no job or clientele and I only had $2500. I knew that I needed a job and I didn’t want to call home because I didn’t want my husband to tell us to come back and my family to say I told you so. I decided to get a job in the back of a beauty supply store. I knew the location will be perfect for me to grow clientele and it most certainly was . The money was fast , the money was good and the client‘s were consistent however the owner had become rude after sometime and I ended up leaving her salon and opening my own salon. Once I opened up my salon her whole team followed me & worked with me up until they were able to open their own salon suites. I was located in the heart of Sandy Springs GA and business was booming!! I had a total of 10 chairs and they were all full ; Stylist , Braiders, MUA, Nail tech, Eyelash Artist and an assistant. ( My husband eventually joined our move after about 2/3 months)
I began to mentor beauty school students, teach wig , extensions and continuing education classes. I started traveling from city to city hosting my very own networking events “ Breakfast with Beauticians “ and began working behind the scenes for Hair Magazines, T.V and Music video hair . After running a successful business of 10 plus years I became overwhelmingly booked with mentor sessions for up and coming entrepreneurs . So many that I could not mentor everyone so I decided to write my very own 1st book titled : You are Responsible for your own Success Vol 1 . My book sold out immediately!! I traveled to different cities for book signings, my book was also published in the Henry county public library center , available on Amazon and www.b4nafterbeauty.com
Year 9 of being in business I wanted to branch out and come from behind the chair . I wanted another stream of income to flow . By this time my kids were teenagers, the cost of everything had inflated, I liked to travel and shop but I also needed to start seriously saving . I knew it was time to invest . I decided to attend Success Real Estate Academy. I passed my final exam on the very same day the world shut down due to covid . I was very much discouraged . I had to move out of my salon building into a new location and at the same time figure out this real estate life. I began to do my research on the internet about becoming an investor . I joined a female real estate group (FWF) and purchased the investor kit. In the kit there were gems that did not learn in school at all . I spoke with the creator and she basically put the blue print in the kit . She was very helpful and informative. I became a (FWF) member in September and by Nov 2021 (2 months later ) I purchased my 1st real estate investment property . My husband was impressed and he supported the movement. We were asked by so many people on how they can help or pitch in to invest with us and as of today we have a team of investors where we purchase land , build , flip and sell .
As an entrepreneur life is full of risk . You have to be able to be ready for the ups and downs .
My advice is to :
1. Create a vision board ( ask yourself if you could really see yourself doing whatever it is that you want ) are you willing to sacrifice? Manifest your vision on your vision board and get you a journal , write in it daily – Your accomplishments and your laziness (this will hold you accountable to go harder the next day) .
2. Evaluate your circle ( everyone can’t go to the top with you) it’s best you leave unsupportive friends and family where they are so that you can do what’s best for you bc guess what ?! They are going to do what best for them !!
3, Make your network your Networth !! If you surround yourself with 4 rich friends / business partners chances are you will be the 4th
4. Daily Self Care … Take time out for yourself , meditate, do a spiritual cleanse , exercise, eat clean , log off of social media and turn your phone / tv off for an hour a day . It really helps maintain your mental health. We deal with so many people, personalities and opinions every day and it can be so draining . It’s very important to take care of yourself!!
5. Know and understand your purpose
6. Educate yourself in whatever avenue you decide to take ( Always be a student ) Take classes , travel to different cities and take their classes to see what they may do different, ask questions and make new friends !!! Some may say “No New Friends “ but I highly disagree with that statement. Me making new friends has helped me to the next level where old friends didn’t want to help bc they are afraid that you will pass them up in life so yes MAKE NEW FRIENDS !!
7. Don’t let the internet trick you into moving too fast. The internet can be a blessing and a curse all because you will rush your process trying to keep up when honestly you don’t know the dark side of the person business bc they will not post their failures. So take your time and things will unfold at a timely manner .( I usually do an internet fast twice a year for 30 days each time so that I can focus on my next without any distractions)
8. Compete with your reflection in the mirror . Have a clear vision of yourself and compete with the person your were yesterday to become a better version of yourself today .
9. Never announce your moves !!!
People will prey on your downfall … Make the announcement once the deal is sealed !!!
10. Give Back… Get involved with your community, do community service, donate , ect .. Giving back opens doors and opportunities for you to promote your brand and in some cases receive assistance from programs to help grow your business
AND 1St And FOREMOST : Put God 1st in everything that you do !!! You may have the vision but he already has the plan, he will test your faith so you must remain obedient and order your steps .
Artavia, 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?
Growing up I wanted to be a pediatrician but I always did hair during my high school years for my former cheerleading team. I went to school at Ivy Tech State College to study pediatrics and my apartment was located directly across the street from my home where I created a hair room to service clients. I would get so much business in the hair industry that I ended up quitting school to persuade my beauty career. I decided to attend Merriville Beauty College so that I could become licensed. Once I became licensed I worked in a beauty salon called Versatility Creative Hair Care. The owner mentored me and taught me everything that I needed to know in the beauty industry. She also help me with my weaknesses on becoming a better hairstylist. Watching her every day was so inspiring because she’s always had at least 20 clients a day. I was taught the importance of hair care and purchasing great hair products. I still til this very day specialize in total hair care. I buy hair products like a kid in a candy store (lol) I am now a Master Cosmetologist and a Wig creator instructor . Running my own salon I was able to create hairstyles for men women and children so that they can leave feeling confident and comfortable. I’ve built relationships with my clients so much that sometimes they pay me to shampoo their hair just so that I can be in their presents for them to come vent to me. My salon is very therapeutic and inspirational so my clients leave feeling wonderful. I’m more than a stylist , I am a therapist.. I’ve had clients that cry on my shoulder , I’ve helped with relationship advice, watched their children grow , and have been apart of major life changing events. All in all I have been an ear to listen .
When I opened my business I did not want to be closed on Mondays because every salon in the world seem like they were closed on Mondays. I wanted to set myself a part and I wanted to be open for the people who needed their hair done on Mondays. I decided to be convenient for them. Believe it or not Mondays are one of my most busiest days of the week . Tuesdays are my off days but not so off because I mentor on Tuesdays and I also post on my social media handles for my business on Tuesdays. My social media has helped me grow my business tremendously to the point I have become and influencer for certain companies. Which means Whenever I post on my personal page or my business page I receive a check from whatever brand I am wearing or whatever product I am using. It is important that you use your social media handles as a platform and not just for entertainment when running a business.
Not only do I do hair in the beauty industry but I also run a very successful virgin hair company ( B4~N ~After Hair ) I have my very own hair products ( B4 ~N ~ After Hair & Scalp Serum and (B4~N~ After Hair Fragrance)
I also sell beauty supply , Waist Trainers / Sweat Cream ( B4~N~After EWaister waist trainers) Book me & Successful T-shirts . It is very important that you are consistent with marketing your brand . Make sure you pay for ads and give out referral rewards. Remember it takes money to make money . You are who you attract. If your inconsistent you will attract an inconsistent clientele.
One of my major accomplishments of being a hair stylist was seeing myself on The Bronner Bros Hair Competition, 8 billboards and 10 hair magazines all over one of the biggest cites “ Atlanta Georgia “ that aspect of marketing really has helped my career come a long way . My goal was to brand so well that I will “No longer have to introduce myself “ and it has worked and opened new doors for more opportunities.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I built my audience on social media by being consistent. I attended classes and did my research on how to target my audience way before social media provided us with the insight overviews. I downloaded an app called when to post . This app allowed me to know where my followers were following from ( cities , countries) and the times that they were most active so that whenever I post my post would be top 10 on their time line . I downloaded the hash tag app which helped me tremendously so that I wouldn’t have to think of hash tags . The app automatically generated hashtags to reach my targeted audience. I used popular Instagram influencers and paid them to post my page so that I can gain access to more followers . I definitely put in the work and I still do . There’s so much competition out here in the same industry that you have to be consistent and also step it up a notch . Meaning set yourself apart from the others to bring more clientele to your business. Run specials , give back , engage in your audience to give them a more personable experience
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn is that just because you are booked doesn’t mean you are booked until the service is completed and you have been paid for your services . With us being entrepreneurs, if we don’t work we don’t eat . The down fall of this is that we usually count our money before it’s in our hands . I had to learn that the hard way . I once had 5 people booked. In the beauty industry it’s seems like a pyramid as to when one person cancel their appointment, everyone cancels and that happened to me before . I was depending on a certain amount for that day and made plans to use the money earned and no one showed up . It was the worst feeling . Time after time it had happened again but I learned my lesson . I was so glad when booking systems were created so that not only would it help us keep track of a paper trail but also allow me to secure a deposit at the time of booking. It is very important that you create a policy so that your clients have a full understanding on how you run your business so that they can respect you and others time . The systems cost but it’s very much worth it .
Contact Info:
- Website: www.b4nafterbeauty.com
- Instagram: B4nafterbeauty
- Facebook: B4 ~ N ~ After Hair & Beauty Salon
- Linkedin: Artavia Jones
- Twitter: B4nafterbeauty
Image Credits
No image credits Photos taken on my iPhone