Today we’d like to introduce you to Empress Jaèl.
Hi Empress Jaèl, 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?
Hi, thank you for this opportunity. I started sewing at the age of seven years old. I have loved fashion since then. I spent my teenage years modeling, dabbling into content creation and blogging. I started Just Luxurious By Jael in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. At the age of 21, I had $500 in my pockets, no idea how to run a business but I had a dream, talent and one yes from God. I attended New York Fashion Week in September 2019 as press from my blog. I made all the outfits I wore for the five days. I was struggling mentally that week but I already committed to attending the shows. I met so many amazing people that reassured me that I was on the right track. After my trip to New York I got a message from God that it was time to start my business and He told me it should include the letters J, L and X. I played around with the letters for a few weeks then I came up with the name and immediately registered it. After the launch of JLX, I was eager to find a space as the business was growing faster than I imagined. I found a showroom in Crystal and opened up in June of 2020. Our home has since been on bass lake road. The brand has expanded to JLX Skin and JLX Hair and we serve a diverse group of customers.
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?
I faced many challenges when starting this business. Many people overlooked me and refused to support me. I did a lot of leg work and still do to this day. I spent time talking to people out of my circle and becoming a social person. By nature I am introverted so this was very difficult for me but I realized that the success of my business lies in how much I apply myself. I didn’t have the finances to fund a business. I was fresh out of Cosmetology school with a student loan debt hanging over my head. I decided to get a job and work hard. It was important to start this business with my own money so I never asked anyone for money or any help. I needed to prove to myself that I could do it, not because I didn’t have help or my dad to come to my rescue but because I needed to do it for myself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m known for being a creative. Pick a craft and I can do it. I sew, design, do makeup, hair, skincare, nails, photography, blogging, content creation and much more. My God given skill I believe was having a creative mind, I picked up the rest along the way. I believe what sets me apart from others is that I am me. There’s nothing significantly different or new in what I do but what sets me apart is how I do what I do. My visions, ideas and inspirations are divine, gifted from the Holy Spirit to me. I am very proud of the woman I have grown into. I have an artistic voice that is respected and recognized and as a creative that’s all you could ever hope for.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Persistence was key for me and remains the same. My dad always tells me “If something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing well.” Sticking to the plan can sometimes be hard when it feels like your world is falling apart but most times you just need to show up and do the work. It’s cliche to say that everything will work out but I believe everything does work out in the end. I am a product of hard work and my father’s prayers.
Contact Info:
- Email: Jlxbyjael@gmail.com
- Website: www.jlxbyjael.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jlxbyjael
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLXBYJAEL/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnlloFnxGuMUVY_HBUM1kzQ
- Other: WWW.simplyjaelicious.com
