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

India, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

My first client was through word of mouth. Someone had seen my friend and asked who did their braids and they referred them to me. That was one of my stepping stones to helping me realize I could actually make this a business.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always wanted to do hair growing up. I would practice on dolls, my cousins, and my aunts any chance I’d get. Anytime I’d go to get my hair done, I’d intensely observe and sometimes ask questions. When asked what college I would like to attend I would respond about my passion for hair. I started to get clients around the age of 17/18 when I was living in Virginia. At 20 I moved to Atlanta and that’s when things really started to pick up for me.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Moving from Virginia where all of my family is to Atlanta at the age of 20 was such a challenge considering that I didn’t know many people here. I wanted to do hair but I was also adjusting from living in a small town my whole life to now living in the city. Meeting new people and even knowing the direction I wanted my business to go in was a struggle for me. But one day I literally just started and from there I didn’t stop. I would do my friends hair and they’d tell their friends. That’s mainly how I’ve encountered so many people here.

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

A time I had to completely start over was after having my son in 2022. Becoming a new mom was a total life changing experience and my business was on the back burner as a result. I had become a new person with a new life and I just needed some time to get back to me. Slowly in 2023 I began to refocus on my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://indiathebraider.as.me/
• Instagram: @india_napolis
• Other: TikTok: indiathebraider