We recently connected with Jada Greene and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jada, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
My parents have always encouraged me to explore my interests, whether through enrolling me in various arts programs or supporting my decisions to continue, switch, or quit something that no longer aligned with me. Their unwavering support has profoundly shaped who I am today as both an artist and a business owner.
One moment that stands out is when I was struggling to choose a major in undergrad. I entered SUNY Binghamton as a Business major, thinking it would provide long-term stability. However, I soon realized that the math requirements were a major obstacle for me. After much thought, I decided to return to my true passion: the arts. I called my parents and explained my decision to switch to Graphic Design, even though it meant adding an extra semester to my studies. Despite the additional time and costs, they fully supported me, reassuring me during what was a stressful time as I approached my junior year. Their response gave me the peace of mind I needed to follow my passion.
During that same time, I started the business that I’m being interviewed for today. Again, my parents’ unwavering support pushed me to work harder and prove to myself—and to them—that my decisions would lead to something meaningful.
This kind of support is what I consider “parenting done right.” I can’t express enough how grateful I am for the values they’ve instilled in me: trust in my own discernment, belief in my talents, and persistence in pursuing my goals. My parents are the foundation of my success, and my journey as a business owner is, in many ways, a reflection of the trust and encouragement they’ve given me. I hope to one day show them my gratitude by building something that honors their faith in me.
Jada, 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?
My name is Jada Greene, and I’m the founder of Jada Did My Minks, a brand dedicated to quality eyelash extension services, premium products, and growth opportunities for current and aspiring beauty professionals. My journey into the beauty industry began with a personal interest in maintaining my own beauty routines, which evolved into offering services for friends as models and clients. Word spread quickly on my college campus and in my neighborhood—Harlem, NY—and what began as a casual side hustle turned into a steady business.
While juggling college full-time, I found that doing hair became too time-consuming, so in 2018, I turned my focus to eyelash extensions. After taking my first certification course, I was hooked, and lashes became a meaningful pursuit that also provided financial stability through college. Post-grad, I realized my business could be so much more than just services—I had built experience, tested top-quality supplies from trusted vendors, and invested in tools that made the lash process efficient and easier for both beginner and advanced artists. This led to the launch of my own line of eyelash products, including eyelash extension trays, tweezers, and other essential supplies needed to deliver high-quality results with excellent retention.
Today, I’m proud to offer not only these quality products but also courses that empower others to enter and thrive in the lash industry with my guidance. While my target audience is ages 17 to 27, I work with people of all different life paths and ages—such as mothers, students, and individuals established in their careers—who are forging their paths outside of traditional routes, all driven by a shared desire for independence and a brighter future.
What I’m most proud of is the journey itself—overcoming self-doubt, fear, and other obstacles that once held me back. I’m here to show people, especially those from similar backgrounds, that they can create a fulfilling career in this industry. There is space for everyone, and my goal is to help others build something of their own while shattering the limits that may have been placed on them by others. Jada Did My Minks isn’t just about lashes; it’s about building confidence, independence, and opportunity.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is working with purpose—finding that unique drive within yourself and channeling it through your work. Growing up, I had no dreams of working in the beauty industry. All I knew was that I wanted to create, whether it was through dancing, drawing, playing “dress-up” with my sister, or connecting to the world through music. By senior year of high school, I was immersed in these same interests, though I began to create in new ways. I started doing my own hair, and soon classmates were asking me to style theirs. What began as a hobby became a business in college under the name “Jada Did My Hair”. I realized the deep fulfillment of uplifting others through my talents. This work was more than a way to support myself in college; it was a way to connect, empower, and bring out confidence in others.
By junior year, though, doing hair had become physically taxing, and I lost that initial spark. I pivoted to a new field—eyelash extensions—where I found fresh inspiration to create and connect. For me, this ability to adapt and explore new avenues of expression is at the core of being a true creative. The path isn’t linear; it’s full of challenges that test your resilience, moments where you question your talent, even times you feel invisible. And then there are the breakthroughs, the moments of recognition that reaffirm why you started.
What keeps me going, even on the hard days, is a growing passion for using my creativity to uplift and empower others. Each pivot, each reinvention, is a testament to my purpose and commitment. Being a creative means persevering for a dream that isn’t yet tangible, holding faith that every moment of doubt, leads to a future where my work makes an impact. It’s this faith and resilience that fuel my purpose, and it’s why I’m passionate about building a meaningful career.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My ultimate goal on this creative journey is to build lasting wealth for my family and future generations, creating a legacy of opportunity and stability. I’m driven by the vision of success for the business I’m building and the hope of showing my parents the tangible rewards of the unwavering support they’ve given me over the past six years. Their encouragement has fueled my confidence to keep moving forward, knowing that my journey holds meaning and purpose.
With Jada Did My Minks, I’m inspired to provide high-quality eyelash extension services, products, and valuable opportunities to clients and beauty professionals alike. I envision JDMM as a brand that empowers others—not just through exceptional service but by creating pathways for aspiring beauty professionals. This includes developing internship and mentorship programs for graduating high school seniors, giving them hands-on experience and a skill they can carry into college or their own business ventures. For those who join my certification courses, I offer opportunities for employment and apprenticeships at my esthetics studios, where they can grow and hone their craft in a supportive, client-centered environment.
It feels like yesterday I was a college student navigating my future, and learning this craft was one of the best choices I’ve made. It taught me invaluable life skills—time management, financial discipline, and resilience. My mission now is to pass these lessons on to the next generation of beauty entrepreneurs, becoming the mentor I didn’t have but wished I’d had.
In this journey, I’m driven by the desire to be a guiding presence for others, to create opportunities for their growth and stability, and to continuously learn and evolve as both an artist and a business owner. Each day, I’m inspired by the purpose I’ve found in this mission and the impact I hope to make.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopjdmm.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jadadidmyminks
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jada-greene/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jadadidmyminks
- Other: TikTok: @jadadidmy.minks
Image Credits
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