We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jazlyn Bailey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jazlyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents did everything in their power to raise and guide me right. They always pushed me to be my best but, most importantly do what makes me happy!Realistically, a lot of people feel like after high school the only thing next is to continue on an educational path, to get a good job. My mom allowed me the opportunity to figure out what in life would fulfill me. 5 years ago graduating from high school, I didn’t see myself focused in school. My mom gave me the freedom that she did to let my creativity flow. She’s always “let it be known she would not force me to go to school” but, I had to do something. That something was “starting a business and gaining my strong work ethic hands on.” Rather than just sitting in a classroom I didn’t feel focused in. I always saw myself having a business when I became older, but I never knew exactly what that business would be. Loosing my dad at an early age helped shape me into the person that I am today. He left me with so many gems that I use in my day to day life that his legacy lives within me forever. I pay homage to my parents in everything I do. I would not be where I am today without them both pouring into me and my dreams. My parents had me involved in so many activities growing up, which helps me be well rounded today. My dad showed me “princess treatment” and princess treatment ONLY! I was and still am very spoiled in life but, I had to learn I won’t always get my way. My mom having to continue raising me as a single parent , showed me what working hard and being independent really meant early on. I could never repay or thank my parents for all they have done to help me get to where I am today. My mom helps me day in and day out from staying up later than planned, sorting inventory, packaging orders, moving tables at my pop-up shops, & so much more after working an 8 hour shift at her full time job. No matter how tired she is, she’s always ready to work a 24/7 shift of being The BEST mom.
My Guardian Angel, my dad guides me in my personal life and professional life; helping me stay grounded and focused at all times.
Jazlyn, 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?
Being me I wear many different hats. I’m creative, a mentor, a friend, a serial entrepreneur, fashion lover, community hope giver and so much more! I am a full-time entrepreneur owning two small businesses. I started my first business in 2017. I didn’t officially launch until 2019. Vintage Meets Boujee(V.M.B.) is a streetwear fashion boutique providing affordable drip. This year, I formed my new small business. A playground for success called Entrapreneur Playground helping new, old, and current business owners on the playing field to success. When I started my first business I was 18 years old, I had mentors but none in the business field. My only mentor was google. I started Entrapreneur Playground to help other small businesses not make some of the same mistakes that I did when I first started. I wanted to create a safe haven for other small business owners. Stay tuned, our Entrapreneur Playground headquarter doors open real soon. I think what sets me apart from others is that I am not afraid to have uncomfortable conversations. I remain true to myself. Raw and unfiltered. I am most proud of myself for my process being trial and error.
I might not have it figured out today but trust me, I will tomorrow. I have had to lose it all and get it all back from the ground up. It takes a lot to be consistent so I am most proud of myself for not giving up!
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Books have played a major part in my success, love reading! Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. I honestly feel that if it weren’t for books, I would not be as successful in my goals as I am today. You can often catch me telling people that when I first started my business, google was my mentor. I spent hours absorbing information. Note taking and researching will always be my favorite way to learn. Some of my favorite books that helped me get started were “Girl Boss -Sophia Amoruso, Think & Grow Rich -Napoleon Hill, Dapper Dan Made in Harlem-Daniel Day, The Keys-DJ Khaled, The Autobiogaphy of Gucci Mane, and The Art of War-Sun Tzu.” Just to name a few. I also enjoy reading a lot of blog post that I find from other business owners through Pinterest that a lot of people may not know about. You can find me always taking notes on anything that I feel touched by or interested in.
Many of my books have sticky notes sticking out; where I have learned something, and I will want to reference back to someday. I definitely must say myself & my small businesses are a product of YouTube University. I have learned a lot over the years from Vloggers on YouTube. One of my favorite bloggers is fellow DMV Native girl boss Ky Lashaii. She started a playlist of videos just for fellow inspiring entrepreneurs. Over the last few years I have watched her elevate. I appreciate her honesty for putting her community on to free game that many others would’ve charged for.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Growing up I always had some type of side hustle. From making tutus, custom shirts and hats. You name it, I had several types of side hustles; I could dabble in. I always stated that when I grew up I wanted to be a business owner. I didn’t know in what field that may be. I have many different hobbies and likes but, I had to learn that doesn’t always mean to monetize on them. VMB started not too long after I got out of high school. At first it was just an idea I constantly dabbled with; not knowing the first thing of starting a business more less a fashion brand. VMB has had many names, identities, and rebrands. At first, I wanted VMB to be a blog, fashion mood board or styling service. One day that changed completely. I watched a video on YouTube and learned about the art of Wholesale. I was miserable in my job at the time. I had some money saved up and took a bet on myself. One thing I will forever do is preach the importance of taking a bet on yourself. I started off with just socks.; 4 designs,
3 colors, 38 pairs and my iPhone. I didn’t know the first thing about marketing myself. I had no logo, no website, not even a name, I got to work and started jotting everything down in my journal of what I saw for the brand. At first, I saw no sales and I almost got discouraged. I’m so happy I didn’t stop trying. I started seeing sales and flipping inventory. Eventually I was making more money from my business than my paycheck . As soon as I was ready to expand, the Coronavirus pandemic hit. My job in the hospitality industry took a major hit. It was a blessing in disguise. I was able to stay home, do research, and grow my brand. I started to gain a social media presence and it went up from there. I was selling out weekly, restocking daily, and using my Godmothers house as a shipping depot. I couldn’t believe this was my life, My story! Things got slow for me again. This same time last year after being a full time entrepreneur for almost 2 years. I got scared an jumped back into another job I would quickly find myself hating. I gave myself a deadline of how long I would be there. I got to work on my business, Fast! I evolved, going from just Jaz the boutique owner, to being a voice for other small business owners in my community. I started curating events to help us connect & shop with each other. With all of us being at different stages of our businesses, I wanted to create a safe space that was exclusive to just business owners. That’s how Entrapreneur Playground was born.
I wanted to keep my boutique but, also remain a curator for small business owners.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.entrapreneurplayground.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrapreneurplayground/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/3nTRAPreneur
- Other: http://instagram.com/v.m.b__/