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

Janay , appreciate you joining us today. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

Yes. Omg! Ms. Sherita Cherry , she is a BOSS lady and I have always respected her for who she is! I met Ms. Sherita in 2017 when I just moved to Georgia. I was searching for work and came across Genesis Hair Art in College Park. It was an adjustment for me because I was in a whole new environment and learning the business aspects of the beauty industry; versus just making a few dollars. Really knowing this industry can change your life for the better! Now that I have my own business, I remember times Sherita and I had our conversations and how she would run her business. Honestly, the whole 2017 Genesis Hair Art team sculpted me into the person I needed to be now! At the time I didn’t understand, but now I do. I believe God knew I needed that guidance and it was a great opportunity for me. Because of that moment, I’m where I need to be and excited about where I’m going!

Janay , 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?

Hello, my name is Janay Woods. I am a native of Phoenix, Arizona. I grew up in South Phoenix and Laveen, AZ. I attended South Mtn High School where I received my diploma. I also studied at Wiley College for a lil majoring in biology in which I did not consummate. I had my daughter and applied for cosmetology school. Once I graduated from cosmo, I took the test and received my license on the first round! Talk about a weight being lifted! Before I received my license I was the shampoo girl or assistant. I learned a lot from amazing beauticians!! I’ve been around the beauty industry for a very long time and you learn something new everyday. I love servicing people! Just the fact that I can change someone life just by a hairstyle…that’s flabbergasting, for the better giving them their hope back, showing them that they’re beautiful no matter what their circumstances may be in life! I love growing hair! NAYBLESSEDHANDS!!! I always say it’s a gift from God! My specialties are Natural Hair, Silk Press, and Quickweaves. I love what I do! I’m proud of myself because I walked out on faith and took my time to be where I’m at today and looking onward to the future. When you become my client, we are teammates, we work together. Our journey is to grow and prosper in every aspect of life!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I can say when I went through the depletion of my first salon suite! It was a very devastating time in my life. I wanted to give up, but my pride wouldn’t allow me to do so. I kept the faith and kept looking and stayed positive through it all! I found Phenix Suites in Tempe, Az and love it here!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Nayblessedhands
• Facebook: Nayblessedhands LLC
• Other: Tik Tok; Nayblessedhands21

Image Credits
Instagram: @anneke_marie_photography