Today we’d like to introduce you to Jada Robertson.
Hi Jada, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
How did I get started doing hair? Man, I’ve been waiting on the day for somebody to ask me this question. Funny as it is to say I was born to be successful. I’ve always had that drive, no matter what it was. I attempted to sell sunglasses, clothes, and lip gloss at one point. It wasn’t successful but, that just mean it wasn’t my purpose. I’ll never forget when I vented to my friend, Dylan, about how my items weren’t selling and he told me, “Why don’t you stick to one thing and become a master at that then eventually branch off into something else”. From that day forward I never stopped doing hair. I’ve always had a passion for hair. I started as my own practice head in middle school. I eventually started taking people but, I doubted myself a lot and quit every single time I did something wrong. Later on, down the line, I would learn that it was supposed to happen like that. If I didn’t experience trial and error in my career I wouldn’t be where I am today, honestly. The summer before my senior year I just remember having this inner feeling of “just do it”, I promoted until I couldn’t no more. I eventually stopped posting myself and only about hair and that caused me to be fully booked coloring and making wigs for my peers for their last first day of high school. Throughout my senior year people knew me from doing hair. I even did hair in school. I bought my canva head, needle, thread, wig cap, bundles, etc. I made wigs during class so I could take a nice nap after school lol. My senior year was a great jumpstart to career. I thank everybody who booked during that time! Shortly after graduation, I moved into a shop. The owner found me through one of my clients, I colored some hair for my client and the owner installed it. The crazy thing about it is I actually messed up that client’s color (it was cute once it came together though). At first, when I moved in the shop, I actually thought it wasn’t meant for me because I wasn’t actually taking clients, I was only making wigs and coloring. I moved out the shop for a couple days and came right back and been there ever since. Once again, I had the feeling of “just do it”. Months after moving in I decided to take clients again for installs. I posted my work no matter how it looked. I didn’t care because this was MY process. I wanted people to see my work and watch me grow as a hairstylist. People watched me go from working on the floor to working in a suite. As the youngest in the shop (17 at the time), I watched the people around me perfect their craft which caused me to learned from them. If I can’t say anything I can say this, I learned something from everybody in the shop. I practically grew up around goats (greatest of all times) and became one. But truthfully, I haven’t reached my full potential yet I’m just now getting started. My name is Jada McKenzie and I will be sure that you won’t forget that.😈
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Being an entrepreneur ain’t smooth, I’ll be the first to say it. Everybody want that fast money but ain’t willing to stay down for the process. God will constantly challenge you to see if you made for this. It’s up to you if you give up or not. When I first started doing hair I quit every time something went wrong. Working from home I had a client steal things from my room. Unfortunately, clients have bashed me on Instagram. One time a client cried in my chair because she felt like I was doing her hair wrong causing me to take it down after doing it but that’s a conversation for a different day. These struggles aren’t going to stop. I still have my days even now doubting myself. Wondering if I’m good enough. I’m my biggest critic. Everybody tells me I’m the goat but I constantly feel like there’s more that could be done. This year was my first time experiencing a slow period and I got to say it’s not fun. I begin to feel like I want to quit, I don’t want to get out of bed, and I question everything. But even through these times I understand that this is MY process. I understand that God puts me in these situations for a reason. These are the challenges God will put me through to see if I’m made for it. My dad once said God will give you something little and see how you treat it before he gives you what you want. The road ain’t smooth for a reason. Catch my drift if you haven’t.
As you know, we’re big fans of Jada McKenzie. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
For starters I’m Jada McKenzie. THE hairstylist. I’m known for doing hair. It’s always been a thing for me. You know, slaying the gworls left and right. I’m more into the lace world right now. Before I was known for installs, I was a wig master and color specialist. Although I’m mainly mastering lace right now, I’m itching to get back into the wig construction & color world! My most common service are wig installs. Wig season is all year round. So, I’m always down to do one. The first wig install I ever did took 6 hours and yes it was a frontal wig but, now it takes me about 3 hours; 3 hours and half hours if you want a complimentary wash with your service. Speaking of having a wash with your service I take pride in making hair appointments a time of relaxation again. With social media hindering people’s real thoughts about stylist, it’s much harder to satisfy clients nowadays. When you leave my chair, I want you to feel like a weight of stress has been lifted off your shoulders. You get to catch up on your shows or even catch a new movie you been meaning to watch, eat a snack in case you couldn’t stop for food, drink some wine if you grown, and I wouldn’t mind a therapist for a few hours especially to my younger clients (just speak first I be nervous lol). I’m just Jada McKenzie man. The chill, old soul, simple, unproblematic, passion filled stylist. Before I ever started making wigs, and installing them I never not once had a wig install. I wasn’t a wig girl growing up never had the money to just buy hair and find a stylist. I just always had the passion to do it. Allowing my classmates to be my test heads was the best thing I could’ve ever done. People only knew me that way. I was shy in school unless I was comfortable around you. I did the girls who was known hair, which always made me feel good because girl not I’m the reason you slayed right now. Honestly, I feel like that is what sets me apart. When I started doing hair around the school, I didn’t know too many people doing hair too. I must say class of 2020 really birthed entrepreneurs shoutout to everybody. But I was always in my own lane. I wasn’t charging too much at the time either. I can name about 5 teachers and who knows how many students whose hair I’ve done. I love being the reason my clients are about to go make unnecessary errands because they cute. As far as my brand goes, I’m so proud of myself for never stopping. Im glad I didn’t let fear stop me. I wouldn’t be who I am today truthfully. Watching my brand come to life is amazing within itself. I did it. I didn’t have role models. I don’t look up to nobody. God wrote the script, I just got to let it play out. This is only the start. Instagram: @iamjadamckenzie link in the bio!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I can’t be specific about what I’m going to be doing within 5-10 years because I’d hate to jinx my blessings before I even receive them but, best believe you will know my name. I WILL be successful within the hair industry. I got things coming these long nights and investing will pay off.
Pricing:
- Frontal wig install/ Wash included/ $175
- Closure wig install/ Wash included/ $150
- Closure sew in/ Wash included/ $170
- Frontal sew in/ Wash included/ $185
- Traditional sew in/ Wash included/ $125
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jadamckenzie.as.me/
- Instagram: Iamjadamckenzie
- Facebook: Jada McKenzie
