Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Stokes.
Hi Jasmine, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My passion for hair has started since I was younger maybe around 5 and with barbie being my first client. Always enjoyed getting my hair done for some reason that’s always when I felt my best. My mother always gave my sister and me the cutest styles, from braids, ponytails to even curls. My father on the other hand was silenced in barbering and cosmetology and had us pressed to the gods!!! After a while, my mother would allow me to braid my sister’s hair.
From there, I started doing friends of the family kids’ hair and my sister’s friends’ hair in our basement and this was middle school. Little did I know, I had a bit of a clientele. For me, I would be in my own zone enjoying my craft and loving my client’s reaction to their finished product. In the summer of 2003, I started to work as a shampoo assistant at Divine Essence. That was my first experience working in a salon atmosphere. Working there was where I was able to take in a lot. We went to hair shows, I was able to be hands-on with their clients, and they answered any questions that I had, especially with my cosmetology homework.
Fall of 2004, came I was accepted into the Milford Mills Cosmetology program. I must say every day I look forward to that class. The relationships that were made I still have with them till this very day. We called ourselves and were known as The Cos Girls. I didn’t receive my Cosmetology license until after I graduated high school in 2007. As soon as I received my license, I left Divine Essence and went to work for Hair Cuttery as a hairstylist. I worked with them for about nine years. Went from a stylist to an assistant manager, to a master stylist to the Store Manager. While becoming a manager I also became a mother. My daughter, Milan is the highlight of my life. It was at this time that I realized I wanted more, not only for myself but for her as well.
Eventually I got to a point where I felt like I wasn’t growing anymore at Hair Cuttery. Two of my clients, Lisa and Kelly Borden, sat me down and we talked about me working for myself. They gave me advice and discussed all the pros and cons that came with it. As we had this conversation I must say, I had some doubts not knowing whether all of my clients would follow me. Being a single mom, I was nervous about not having a steady income to be able to provide for my daughter. I then spoke with Stacie Russell, she was the owner of Milan’s daycare as well as my spiritual advisor. Stacie told me to pray on it and I’ll have my answer. After a while work no longer excited me as it began to feel like just a job. As soon as I walked in the door to start my shift I was so unhappy and looked forward to the end of the day. Walking out the door at the end of a shift felt like a weight lifted off of my shoulders. It was at this point I felt it was time to make the move. I knew that things would work out and that I had support from family, friends and even my clients every step of the way.
On March 16th, 2016 I became the owner of Obsessed Hair Studio. The first day that I serviced my first client in my shop was one of the best days of my life! The excitement I once felt had returned and right then and there I knew that I did it and that this was only the beginning. It has been 5 years and my passion for hair still burns within me. All businesses have plenty of ups and downs, tears and strength but through God I am still going and looking forward to growing even more. I always felt that hairstylists are the start of confidence. You look good, you feel good, you do good!
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?
The road was far from smooth. Being a single mom, I had to sacrifice some things. I was in college but had a hard time juggling my salon hours, my study time and still handling my responsibilities as a mom so I let school go and picked up a part-time job as a bartender.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Obsessed Hair Studio is a hair salon where you will always feel welcomed whether you are a client receiving a service or a consultation where we are setting goals for the health of your hair. As a stylist, I don’t just do your hair, I will make sure that your hair can withstand whatever service you want to receive. I’m all about hair care, if I know that the service that you’re requesting will damage your hair we will set a goal to do what is needed for you to be able to receive that desired service. Some of the services that I offer are braids, my signature obsessed press (silk press), color, extensions, cuts, special occasion styles, stylist on show sets, photoshoots, fashion shows, and I even service children. In the salon, just a simple shampoo to wash away a long day’s work or frustrations can be extremely therapeutic. Obsessed Hair Studio will always strive to make every clients experience their absolute best every time they visit with the same warm welcome as their first.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Anything that is meant to be great will not come easy. Quitting is easy that’s why a lot of people throw in the towel but the outcome of finishing is so fulfilling.
Contact Info:
- Email: obsessedhairstudios@gmail.com
- Website: www.obsessedhairstudios.com
- Instagram: obsessedwith_jasminechanel
- Facebook: obsessed hair studio
