Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jadalyn Borla. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jadalyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
Since my early years, a passion for the arts has burned within me, steering me towards a creative and artistic path. My fascination with painting, drawing, fashion, and music blossomed during my formative years, fueled by the captivating styles of R&B artists in the early 2000s. Determined not to squander resources on a traditional four-year college, I opted to pursue an associate degree in arts at Pasadena City College. Following this, I juggled various jobs until a pivotal moment prompted me to take a leap of faith. Choosing to invest my savings into launching my brand, SYL, I asked myself, “What do I have to lose?” This marked the birth of my brand and a new chapter in my creative journey.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Embarking on my journey as an entrepreneur and creative has been an exhilarating rollercoaster ride. I took the leap to launch my brand in November 2022, investing every penny of my savings. It was both the best and most daunting decision of my life. The initial months were a tumultuous uphill battle, as beginnings often are. I faced financial struggles, loneliness, and a rollercoaster of emotions. Despite receiving messages of admiration for my work, the reality was stark—I made zero sales for the first few months, leading me to contemplate giving up. However, driven by my commitment and depleted savings, I persevered. I delved deep into self-education, immersing myself in the intricacies of business management. With no prior knowledge, I turned to YouTube for guidance, and it became my steadfast companion in learning the ropes of entrepreneurship.
Thinking outside the box, I began crafting professional scripts to reach out to influencers, celebrities, and stylists—anyone I admired or believed shared my target audience. Despite countless messages sent, only four responded, including two influencers and two stylists. The responsive stylists not only helped me secure excellent placements for my jewelry but also mentored me in the art of styling, a field I was deeply interested in. I shadowed, interned, and assisted one of the stylists, who eventually became one of my closest friends. To sustain myself during the unpredictable styling gigs, I was also vending at numerous flea markets weekly to help make ends meet, as well as forging valuable connections and acquaintances.
Through these interactions, the tide slowly turned. Sales began trickling in, along with inquiries for jewelry pulls and rentals for celebrities like Dinah Jane, Brent Faiyaz, Tyla, and Kali Uchis. This momentum allowed me to showcase my jewelry in a Los Angeles showroom and sell it in a San Francisco store.
In my role as a stylist and stylist assistant, I’ve spent over a year cultivating my portfolio. I’ve had the privilege of working with renowned brands and publications such as Nike, Flaunt Magazine, and Jill Stuart. Additionally, I’ve styled celebrities for various events and award ceremonies.
Now, let’s delve deeper into my brand, SYL, which stands for S3nding You Love. It’s an inclusive brand offering exclusive pieces that aim to empower individuals to embrace their uniqueness confidently. The brand ethos centers on spreading love, a mantra I’ve always lived by. Growing up, I would repurpose clothes and jewelry from thrift stores, finding immense confidence in creating something unique. I want to share that empowering feeling with others. Jewelry, to me, is not just an accessory; it’s a form of self-expression and self-love. The sensation of wearing a beautiful piece, seeing it shimmer on your neck or wrist, is truly unparalleled.
As SYL continues to grow, so will my artistic ventures.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to give people my love through my art.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
The best thing society can do to support artists/creatives/thriving creative ecosystem is to be kind, share encouraging words to uplift one another, and to love. As technology continues to grow, we as a society need to be kind to one another on social media. Putting another person down whether they are an artist, creative, or just someone documenting their life, is not okay. Physical pain is temporary but words are forever. Instead, comment something kind that you like from the photo/video or even just a cool emoji. I guarantee it will put a smile on their face. If you don’t have anything kind to say, just keep it to yourself.
While we are on the topic of technology, instagram is now our resume/portfolio to showcase to the world. A like, comment, share, save, or repost goes a long way for an artist/creative. It helps us connect with other artists/creatives, reach our target audience, and brings new job opportunities.
Lastly, love is the best support of all. My great friend Caleb once said, “find yourself, know yourself, and love yourself. Once you find yourself, then you won’t look to be anybody else. Once you know yourself, then the opinions of others wont affect you. Once you love yourself, then you won’t look for love in anyone else.” As a human, this is the best thing we can do for ourselves, so we can do more for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: S3ndingyoulove.com
- Instagram: S3ndingyoulove