We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaylynn Turner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaylynn, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work life balance definitely has been a challenge for me because I’m an action taker lol. COVID forced me to sit down and re-analyze working non-stop. The reality is you start a business so you don’t have to trade time for money.

I realized setting boundaries and saying “no“ does not equate to bad customer service. So I started by adhering to my office hours. Whatever I didn’t complete would just get done tomorrow. I learned to be okay with that. I also stop engaging with clients after business hours AND gave myself one day off a week…. and as of this year, I finally committed to taking off 2 two days a week… Look at God! lol

Being busy and being productive DOES NOT mean the same thing. Redefining work life balance for me was truly taking accountability for what I was ALLOWING to happen versus what other people were doing to me. We train people how to treat us. I learned the power of no and the empowerment it gave me!


Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The way I got thrown into my journey was unconventional to say the least. I actually resisted becoming a makeup artist as a career because I went to school and have my M.A. in media lol. I wanted to work for ESPN and in fact, I was already working in sports… however God had other plans lol.

I didn’t pick up a makeup brush until I was 24 years old. One year later I found myself in New York City working on my second magazine cover with my second celebrity. Once I realized this was the path God chose for me, I decided to take it seriously because I live in a small market. Six years ago, it was uncommon to be a full time makeup artist in Norfolk, Virginia.

So I decided to look at myself as a serviced based business instead of  just a makeup artist. I invested heavily into business masterclasses and masterminds to learn how to niche and profit because I didn’t know how else I was going to survive, to be honest. That’s when my business, Rated Pretty Girl became a brand.

Because I was an everyday woman turned makeup artist, my aesthetic was different than a lot of artist. I could never “beat a face” no matter how much product I applied. My aesthetic was natural but it had an opulent look about it… I found a way for makeup to look expensive. And people could see and feel (once they got in my chair) the difference.

Quickly, I had more brides than I could handle and soon others wanted to learn my techniques and business skills so I began educating others. At one point, brides were flying me out to service them for weddings and students were flying in to me to learn from me.

A few years after committing to my business full-time, I noticed the type of woman who was attracted to the Rated Pretty Girl Experience… high influential and professional women. I began to identify their challenges with wanting to look vibrant and lux in front of their brand however they lack the time and support regarding curating their image.

These women looked at me for my expertise and support. They wanted to resonate they way I did in front of my audience, unapologetically. However, being the center of attention hasn’t always come easy for me. In fact, often times found myself dumbing down to make others feel comfortable from my past career experiences interacting with other women. 

 I found that my clients and I’s stories were similar as confident, successful women. And because of that, they TRUST me! Never would I have dream that my natural ability to walk in any room and it shift towards me would be the very thing I would help others do, too! 

Today, you can find me creative directing brand campaigns, hosting online educational trainings and providing on-location makeup and wardrobe stying services for award winning national recognized business leaders & CEO’s.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Where I live, we are surrounded by water so most activites around here is going to involve it in some kind of way with more a laid back environment. I love to have a good experience so as far as eateries. Most of our restaurants will specilize in seafood.  If you’re looking for a rooftop downtown experience with views, you have to go to the Grain in downtown Norfolk. You’ll catch water and skyline views. Or if you’re wanting just waterviews in more so of a private low key area, I would suggest The Porch or Orions in Virginia Beach. 

As far as things to do, the first place is definitelty the Virginia Beach oceanfront. But if your’re looking for more of adventure, there’s kayaking at sunrise to see the dolphins or glow in the dark zipling at The Adventure Park in Virginia Beach.


Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my client, turned friend, Lasonya Green. Truth be told, I think of her as more of my big sister than anything.

She started with me from the very beginning 9 years ago before I even committed to becoming a full time entrepreneur. She saw the greatness of me building a brand for myself. She invested in my business by gifting me beauty trainings, she helped me open up my first beauty bar and she constantly connects me with others to help expand my network.

I didn’t grow up with in an environment where I could just pick up the phone and call so and so for help. I have worked hard for everything I have. In high school, I worked 2 jobs and I’ve been like that ever since. And, I’ll be honest with you; it was very hard for me to receive help fron her because it was foreign to me… let alone a woman helping me because she believed in me.

No strings attached.

With our relationship, she didn’t just pour into my business development but she poured into my personal development, too! We have traveled together, shopped together, broke bread together, laugh together and even cried together!

Website: www.ratedprettygirl.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ratedprettygirl

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jaylynn-turner

Facebook: www.facbook.com/ratedprettygirl

Image Credits
Energi Loagan Lo Garcia Clarence Sellers

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