Meet Jacqueline Bond-Acosta | Master Cosmetologist / Protective hairstylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacqueline Bond-Acosta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacqueline, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started a business as a braider because I’d already been doing hair and figured it was time for me to establish myself in a more concrete way. In 2014 I offered my braiding services on Craigslist working the streets of Atlanta til the wee hours of the morning. I did this while being a single mother of a toddler trying to get my experience and make my money as an entrepreneur. I later graduated from Atlanta technical college in 2015 as a master cosmetologist, then went on to continue as a mobile hair stylist on Craigslist. Trying to find what works for me as my business started to bloom because of all of my referred clients, I went from suites to salons back to suites. I’m currently a home based stylist that is known for braiding but at heart I am a cosmetologist first. My purpose for Premiumstyling was to sell convenience to women with natural hair and restore their confidence.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Well I started my business in 2019 but had been braiding since I was 12 years old. I moved to Georgia for the entrepreneur vibe and definitely got what I came for.

When I first moved to Atlanta from Florida I figured there was no way I could possibly compete with the braiding competition but my clients that would soon bless me with their encouraging thoughts and excessive tips would soon turn me into the confident braiding guru I am today .

I love braiding but I am currently looking for a way to stand out from the rest but stay put in Atlanta. I think I found it so definitely stay tuned.

I’m a home based stylist and this allows me to provide a level of privacy that is harder to achieve in a more public setting. I will soon be offering everything possible under the sun that does not involve chemicals when it comes to treating the hair.

I will be including shampoo with conditioning and blow dry services before braids to make sure the scalp is cleaned properly which is something braiders get a lot of fallout for not offering.

One lesson that made a profound mark in my career was when I joined a salon. I’m learning everyday that it’s definitely the ambiance and the professionalism that helps to get the client but it is more the “me” factor that keeps the client. I have found that every client is not my client, as much as I would want to believe that, it’s just not true.

A very important factor is that services are being done by someone who loves what they do and cares about each and every client individually.

Three quotes about what I would want the world to know.

“I took time to grow my business and it will continue to grow in its time .”

“I’m not trying to get somewhere faster than what I’m ready to handle, and miss out on lessons that will allow me to be places that I would never have thought I would be.”

“I love what I do and I do it with patience and grace.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t get out a whole bunch but I love jeju it’s like a 24 hour spa in Atlanta I also love Andretti it’s like a indoor karting and games entertainment destination. If I go out it’s usually a vegan spot and me and my husband love the Sunflower Cafe in Buck-head Georgia.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To start out my sister Toshia has been my cheerleader and my support in many ways when it comes to Premiumstyling LLC from the beginning. My sister in law Cornelia has also been a great supporter along the way in my business. I have had many people help me to grow and my very first mentor definitely set the bar, Monique Moore of October Silk beauty lounge. The name on instagram for her is Mooreuniquehair. A current mentor that has been very active in my decision making about very important aspects of my business, and the direction I am moving has to be Vinitra. The name on instagram for her is Vinitragiles. A big shout out to someone who has been through a lot with me in these past few years, especially when it came to my business and being a very supportive and loving ambassador, my cousin Taleija. The name on instagram for her is @thereal_goldencleo. My cousin has allowed me to style her hair for numerous photo shoots, as well as gotten my work published internationally. Needless to say my cousin has been a big part of my resume.

I attended Atlanta Technical college from 2013-2015. I graduated with my cosmetology and shampoo Technician certification in May of 2015. Atlanta Technical College allowed me to take part in BRONNER BROS FOR 2014 and 2015 for the student mannequin competition. Taking part in competition is what really set off my confidence in my career as a hairstylist. I got 2nd place in 2014, and came back and took home 1st place in 2015. Thanks to some strenuous decision making during competition from Dwight Eubanks in the competition for 2015, he was in love with my pleats on my updo. I loved his energy and encouragement. Some very important professors while in the cosmetology department at Atlanta Technical College were Mrs. Ragsdale, Mr. Asbery Wilkerson as well as Mr. Chapman and Mr. Wise. My instructors helped me to bloom creatively as well as mentally when it came to what the beauty world had in store once I left their safe haven. State board wasn’t a cake walk but with every task during my testing I could hear them pushing me along to the finish line. My instruction phase was definitely intense and from this point they taught me to be a forever learner and til this day that is what I am.

I have taken so many classes but to name a few tzipporahbraids on instagram, the_ hairchanic on instagram also known as Leiyohn as well as ezbeautified on instagram also know as Breija’ . Although I have not pursued makeup as of yet I plan to in the future and I appreciate the knowledge I do have from Makeupbyderica on instagram also known as Derica, her one on one class is everything.

Of course I saved the best for last! I want to shout out my clients new and old, and most importantly the loyal ones who have moved all over with me. I don’t look at my clients as property but I do get a satisfaction from experiencing the loyalty that most of them have for not just my services, but experiences only I can offer because of it being “Me”.

My husband and my two sons are definitely a big part of my everyday “WHY”. They motivate and help me to keep going no matter the situation. I couldn’t be as much as a force as I am today without them.

Website: www.premiumstyling.as.me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premiumstyling/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/premiumstylings?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: www.tiktok.com/@premiumstyling