Today we’d like to introduce you to Jada Howell.
Hi Jada, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I first joined the salon world as a receptionist. My first position was in a high-end salon in San Francisco where I lived briefly during an attempt to go to college there. I fell in love with the salon and decided that’s where I wanted to stay. Though I didn’t stay at that salon for too long, I continued to pursue a salon position upon my return home to Texas. I was working at a local salon as a head coordinator when I decided I needed to know more about the details of the services in order to be more efficient at booking, so I did exactly that. I asked lots of questions and thus became much more interested in what was going on. I started hearing from stylist co-workers that I had a good understanding of things and that I should go to Cosmetology school. I ultimately decided that was my passion and signed up at the Avenue Five Institute. I loved it. I had found what I wanted to do. I excelled there and really gained more confidence as a person because I was doing so well.
I graduated in 2014 and went directly into an apprenticeship with an Artistic Director of a salon. He was from New York and had an extensive history of working with celebrity stylists. After about 1.5 years, in 2016, I stepped into my first position as a full-time stylist at a small salon. I was finding my wings. But life had other plans and I was pregnant with my first child about eight months after I started there.
While on maternity leave, I decided not to go back to the salon. Motherhood was quite the adjustment! It was during this time at home that I decided I wanted to have the suite life. But before those plans could go into fruition, baby girl two decided to join the party. After even more coping and adjusting, I decided to postpone my plans for work until my second baby was about four months. On October 16, 2019, I started at my suite. It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made for my career. There are many times that I question if I’m doing the right thing. There are times when I’m not as confident with my skill level. But in those low points, I try to use them as growth opportunities. I think of ways that I can try something new, learn something new, or be creative and innovative. Also, throughout both pregnancies, I have been going to Arizona State University online to finish the bachelor’s degree that I started years ago. I am enrolled in my final semester with plans to graduate with honors with my first bachelor’s in English. I would like to pursue writing. It’s been an untapped interest of mine for quite some time.
At times I’m overwhelmed with balancing being a mother and running my own business, oh yeah, and finishing school, but my husband is amazing in his support and I’d do anything for my family. It’s been quite the journey but I’m excited to see where things go.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This is definitely the most challenging thing I’ve done for a job. It has not been smooth at all. I have really had to look inward and put my self-confidence to the test. I have to be strong and know that I am capable and worthy. And if I fail, it’s no one’s fault but mine. It’s been a very humbling place and it’s transcended to other aspects of life. In the same respect having a large family has also built up my resilience. When you have five kids at home, you learn that you can handle just about anything that comes your way. It’s actually made dealing with life so much easier. You truly learn not to sweat the small stuff. My journey is amazing and for the first time in my life I can say that I’m truly proud of myself, on the good days and the bad.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Resilience is by far my most important characteristic. I’ve built it up over the past few years and with the business, it has truly been tested. I’ve learned not to get overwhelmed with things I can’t control. I continue to do what I know, and I try to know more through various learning experiences.
Pricing:
- Haircuts $60
- Partial Balayage $170+
- Full Balayage $200
- Partial Highlight/Foilage $170+
- Full Highlight/Foilage $200+
Contact Info:
- Email: Newcheveuxnow@gmail.com
- Website: www.newcheveux.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/newcheveuxnow
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/newcheveuxnow
Image Credits
Daniel Rigdon photographer
