We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jafra Bryant a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jafra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Has Covid resulted in any major changes to your business model?
Covid has affected so many of us in different ways and I still feel as if we are all still riding the waves of change as people and business models. As the pandemic was getting started I was only about a year or so newly into being freelance in Los Angeles as well as it was my first time ever going out on my own without a salon to back me. Ten years into the industry at that time I felt it was a risk since salon team life was all I knew. Covid has truly forced me to adapt and mold my career differently more in a business owner kind of mindset. During the start of covid when salons were shutting down a lot of hairdressers resorted to doing hair outside or a lot of the time at the clients house. This in turn ended up with a lot of hairdressers being put in front as their own business owners having to get their own materials, create hair color or gloss kits for delivery around to different states sometimes and the toughest part – what to charge confidently. The work became more beneficial and financially gaining being able to find what works best for me from experiencing working in the hair industry during covid. As far as clients it also seems people aren’t all the way ready to be back in a huge salon space close to people they don’t know out of fear of getting sick or not being able to get sick so in turn clients seem to be flocking to private spaces for a more one on one experience.
Jafra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a hair color specialist and been doing hair for coming on 15 years. I offer hair color services for all hair types and textures as well as editorial hair color. Since covid I had stepped back behind the chair to build back a clientele for awhile and just now getting back into editorial hair color services in the LA and Bay area. My main mission if not only to provide a diverse understanding of hair textures and more natural color placement is now steering towards eduction with other stylists to help ease the fear of bleach and or bigger corrective services on all textures. Even this far into my career I’m learning more and more how important and beneficial it is to assist or learn from others and sharing to build a bigger knowledge bank to really be a full service brand and operate as our own business owners. As a Black and Philippina colorist I want to create a safe space for others to learn and share regardless of background and or hair texture as well as create a diverse space to offer and be inclusive.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’m currently in the middle of a big life, business and somewhat career change. In the last short weeks I’ve completely changed everything from where I’m renting a chair for hair color services, moving to have a cheaper rent housing wise to dedicate any extra income to my next steps for business as well as expanding my services throughout the Bay area and equally split my time between LA and East bay area. I absolutely hate change but also know its the one thing we can all count on, change is inevitable. I’m having to pivot mentally, financially, physically and fight the fear of change as well as fight through the fear of being completely my own boss and have the confidence to believe in myself to be successful. Terrifying to think of however I’m trying to remember my past experiences and remember thats life, we can only ride the waves and make the right decisions for ourselves as they come and go day by day living what we value.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Working for someone else is a lesson I’ve been unlearning slowly. I’ve been working since 14 years old by choice with the thought that I wanted to get used to it at a young age so I wasn’t shocked by the time I was an adult having to work to survive and be successful. I’m 34 now and for the last decade have been playing around with the idea of wether working for myself is better or joining forces with another would be more beneficial, I’m learning still how truly valuable it is to be your own form of income and boss simply for the fact of putting yourself and your own future ensuring as much of your energy goes to the care and keeping of you and family. Once I could I got tired of contributing so much to someone else’s future. Lesson being, whenever you can be your own boss and run your own income, do it!
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: _JAFRA_
- Linkedin: Jafra Bryant
Image Credits
L Arseda @senora.borealis