We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jaleesa Bray a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jaleesa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

I’m glad I waited to start all of my businesses so I wouldn’t just have dived in head first. My husband was the brains of the T-shirt business that we have in Dallas at Midway Towers during COVID-19. Beforehand though I started my work from home staffing agency that I built and now have a total of 55 agents responsible agents since 2017. After that I worked odd jobs on and off while I went to school for makeup and later after that hair school. I accomplished a lot within those years just didn’t know how to put them all in to place til February of 2021 and things took off. We also own a tax office where we file taxes for clients/ prepare them for business leases or credit, legal representation and much more. Looking back on all of it I’m glad we started later than early to soak up more knowledge behind the scenes. Everyday still throws curveballs but what’s life without them though?

Jaleesa, 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?

Just a quick recap about me: started on my makeup journey in 2018. In 2018 depression hit me really hard due to weight gain and self-esteem crashing my life heavily. Only way I felt like myself was to pick up my brushes and paint my face.

I then enrolled into makeup school at Tint Makeup and Cosmetology to be a Pro Makeup Artist. It was a 6-month course, which I completed in 5 with literally blood sweat, and tears. I didn’t know where I would go after so I just worked retail at a makeup store and freelanced. After that, I enrolled again in 2019 to the same school to become gain my license to add on to my makeup career. COVID hit and put me back at square one so I started a T-shirt business customizing and branding logos.

HILLZCUSTOMZ is the name of our Tshirt store. At HILLZCUSTOMZ we have produced over 10,000 shirts less than 2 years really with the skillful networking my husband posses that is. Also produced our own clothing brand SELF LOVE and Amour Propre. Within the store Quida Monique Artistry is there also where I bring out the beauty within my clients for their big events or just special dates or first time makeup wearers. Infinite Lux Tax and UniquelyQweda LLC staffing is also in the building for job assistance at the Midways Towers in Dallas. Social media has been our struggle bc our businesses have grown from word of mouth from so many of our repeat clients or customers coming in and out to shop with us or receive their facials

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I started on my makeup journey in 2018. In 2018 depression hit me really hard due to weight gain and self-esteem crashing my life heavily. Only way I felt like myself was to pick up my brushes and paint my face.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Be yourself focus forward be resilient. Customer service is key communication your business can actually build yourself with just that. Focus on key products. Follow lastest trend. Networking is also a big key factor

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Quida Monique Artistry Hillzcustomz
• Facebook: Ladybug Quida