Today we’d like to introduce you to Jewell Gideon.
Hi Jewell, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit since as far back as I can remember. Growing up having two artists as parents has definitely introduced me to a world of unlimited possibilities and potential for making a living by sharing my artwork and artistry with the world.
Before I birthed Jewell Gideon Collective, I started off doing freelance makeup gigs. I remember being 14 years old and going straight from school to my very first client’s house. I showed up with my black makeup case that my mom had bought me for Christmas that year filled with the highest quality products a 14 year old could afford. That day I was doing makeup for a woman who was about to walk down the wedding aisle in a couple hours. I didn’t really know what to expect when it came to getting paid to do makeup and I had always just did it for the love of the craft. However the nerves weren’t really flowing as expected. I remember thinking to myself, if someone is willing to pay you for your artistry because they have seen what you have done just on yourself, you need to trust in your ability. The appointment went even smoother than I could have ever imagined and I so vividly remember the feeling in that moment, that if I continue to follow my passions and my love for art, then the sky is the limit. Next thing that I knew, I was doing the makeup for five models in a fashion show before I had even seen the age of 15.
Flash forward to the end of high school after I had just turned 18, I was going through the most challenging time in my life. While all of my friends had made the decision to attend college, I had decided to start my own business. This felt like a non-negotiable for me to continue to pursue the journey that I had already began, however it did leave me feeling estranged from all of those who I was close with at this point in my life. This is where The JuJu Stack comes into the picture. I had so many unclear answers that I had for myself that I longed to get to the root of. I had tried journaling, meditation, therapy, but for whatever reason that didn’t allow me to experience the sense of clarity I had been craving. So I picked up a pack of index cards and started writing down questions, answers and messages. Then, I pulled out a stack of Vintage magazines that I had bought for a dollar a piece and began to collage on top of the messages. I collaged whatever my hands and my heart told me to. I never had the intension to share this deck with the world, I just wanted to create something so helpful and meaningful for myself. When I showed my loved ones what I had created, everyone told me that I needed to put my creation out into the world. I was hesitant at first but I figured, if this toot had helped me so much, it would be greedy to gate keep. So now all I needed was to think of a name for this creation of mine. My mom helped me brainstorm ideas and we came up with The JuJu Stack. JuJu is the nickname that my loved ones always call me so it was a perfect fit. The JuJu Stack only took me a few weeks to complete, but I went in and revised and edited them for about a year or so before I went on with getting them printed and designing the packaging. I had invested all of my savings on getting the deck produced and creating a platform to showcase it. So naturally, I was nervous about making such a huge commitment and taking such an intense risk. I had committed so much, time, energy, money and most of all, vulnerability.
Flash forward to today, I am 22 years old and last year, I celebrated the milestone of getting The JuJu stack into multiple different retail stores, including the Walters Art Museum Gift Shop. I have also expanded The JuJu Stack into a collection of other products including, t-shirts, jewelry, keychains, postcards and prints. I still continue to accept makeup clients, including bridal and editorial, but in addition I have woven my two worlds together by creating a series of makeup tutorials on TikTok with looks that are inspired by each card from The JuJu Stack. I wouldn’t give up the investment that I have made in myself and in my business all my life for anything. I always say, if I don’t achieve my dreams and goals for this lifetime, then I’ll die trying.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Every road and path comes with its ups and downs and growth certainly isn’t linear. I’ve had periods in my life where it felt like I was choosing such a challenging road that I couldn’t even keep up with. I’ve had many points of exhaustion and thinking to myself, “Is this going to be worth it?”. As an artist, I feel as though it is my duty to share my art with others, as I never know how or who my art will affect and what impact it will have on someone’s life.
Having this calling to put good out into the world whether it be from making somebody feel so special and confident when they walk down the aisle and all eyes are on them, to making someone feel understood and rejuvenated even when no ones watching, the intension has always been to produce the light that I want to see in this world. Staying on this path no matter what life may throw at me, certainly comes with its challenges such as consistency and self discipline, however I always seem to find myself on the same road since I discovered my love for creation and making a positive impact on those around me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in bridal and editorial makeup, collage work and graphic design. While I do provide services such as makeup consultations, lessons and appointments, I also provide products including The JuJu Stack; an original collaged deck of cards containing 72 unique collages with specific or interpretive messages as well as t-shirts, jewelry, prints, keychains, and postcards containing art from The JuJu Stack. In addition, I also create social media content that intertwines The JuJu Stack and my love for makeup.
Any big plans?
Right now, The JuJu Stack can only be found on JewellGideon.com, or in a select few retail stores, however in the future I would like to open up my own storefronts to house my products. I want each of my customers to feel as though they are transcending into a world like no other when they step into the world of Jewell Gideon Collective. I envision everyone to leaving the space feeling as though they have gained something special even if they haven’t made a purchase.
Pricing:
- The JuJu Stack- $77
- JuJu Stack T-Shirt- $35
- JuJu Stack Earrings- $45
- Editorial Makeup- $340
- Bridal Makeup- $240
Contact Info:
- Website: https://JewellGideon.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewellgideoncollective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jewell-Gideon-Collective/61584523677162/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jewellgideon?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
