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

Hi Jafaea, what is the most important factor behind your success?

My Faith and me never giving up, no matter what obstacles came my way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My career in the beauty industry started when I decided to do hair on the side when I worked in the mortgage industry in 2002. During that time, friends and clients kept encouraging me to do hair full time. It wasn’t until 2013, after losing my job in the mortgage industry, that I decided to pursue my career in the beauty industry. I enrolled in Paul Mitchell the School Jacksonville and that was just the beginning. While in school, I fell deeper in love with not just hair, make up, all things beauty-related and even teaching. I loved how my instructors were able to inspire me to be a better cosmetologist and as a result, I set a goal to one day teach cosmetology and give back what my instructors had given to me. By 2015, I had completed cosmetology school and earned my license, I was so eager to dive into my career that I even thought I was ready to teach.. lol.. but I was wrong! I was told get some experience under my belt and when the opportunity was available, I would be ready. About six months after being behind the chair, my cosmetology school reached out to me and advised a front desk position had become available. To some, they may think why would she take that job when she ultimately wanted to teach, but for me it was an opportunity to get my foot in the door.

After working at the front desk learning the ropes, I noticed that the educators had training on their craft quarterly, that prompted me to ask my director if I could sit in on one of the trainings on my own time. Since I was still working at the front desk but desired to be an instructor, I wanted to prepare myself as much as possible. Even if the opportunity hadn’t become available yet.

That’s the thing about life, we all have to be prepared to work our way up to the goal we desire to achieve as u gain character and skill-building on the way up. Shortly after, I was offered a teaching position, all the while I was still working behind the chair.

To my surprise, eight months later I was offered a management position and that position helped me grow even further.

During that time, I was still behind the chair. I was awarded make up artist of the year in 2018 by Achi Magazine, in 2019 I was nominated hairstylist and educator of the year by Achi Magazine these rewards/nominations were a direct reflection that my hardwork wasn’t going unnoticed.

In 2020 the pandemic hit and the beauty industry as we knew it changed. Spending time at home working for the school made me realize I got into the beauty industry because of my love for what I did, and I wanted to make sure I did what I loved daily, as a result, I decided to step away from my position at the school as an administrator and focus on my career as a hairstylist, makeup artist and educator but on my own terms.

Never in a million years did I think I would be able to have my own business and LOVE going to work daily!! Don’t get me wrong it’s not always easy but my ability to be creative daily outweighs any difficulty that comes my way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Jennifer Weeks, she is a comedian from Jacksonville Florida. While in hair school Jenn and I were in a community play called Dreamchasers. Its so funny that each and everyone of us that were apart of that cast have literally been chasing our dreams every since. She knows how the journey started in my hair career and encouraged me along the way and I truly appreciate her for that.

Website: Iamjafaea.com

Instagram: Iamjafaea

Facebook: Iamjafaea

Image Credits
Cyrus Tookes III

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