Meet Jessica Weathersby: Traveling Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Weathersby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, why did you pursue a creative career?
Growing up I was introduced to the beauty industry through my uncle Jose Camacho, owner of Camacho Hair Salon & Bear with Me Hair for kids salon. I would go to the salon and just be amazed at everything in there. Watching him as well with his clients was fascinating to me. I remember asking him “Tio, do you ever get tired?” He said, “Oh honey, when you love what you do you never get tired!” That response stuck with me throughout the years of growing up and while in high school there was talk about “What’s Next?” after senior year. Then, the planning began. I planned to go to cosmetology school and also college to pursue a business administrative degree. I wanted to learn the ins and outs of owning my own business as well as learning how to provide all beauty services. Once high school was finished I had a surprise of a lifetime happen…..pregnancy! I had to make a decision and make one quick. I decided to keep my baby and continue with the plan I had set forth. I enrolled in Wilbur Wright College for Business Administrative and started with the general studies classes. I went to class after work daily and then the side effects of pregnancy kicked in…I had to make another decision. I chose to drop out of college, work full-time to be sure I would have financial stability to provide for my child. I worked up until 2 weeks of having him. I put my career plan on a temporary hold to focus on raising my little boy Carlos Armani Hower. I waited 3.5 years before the desire to continue on my original path came to mind. Once I started organizing and planning I was blessed with yet another surprise. Baby #2! Welp! Plans went on yet another temporary hold and life as a full-time working momma I was. Once my babygirl hit 3 years old this momma was not putting her dream to hold any longer. I enrolled into Mario Tricoci University of Beauty Culture part-time nights while I continued working my full-time corporate day job. Yes! My 1st sacrifice as a mother to make. I had my mother and kids father switch off care for my children so I can fully focus on obtaining my license. It was a brutal 1 year of only getting to see my children when I had just a couple of hours to spare before going to work or going to school during the week and weekends. Phew! I was really tried most days but as a mother you shift into a different kind of mindset. One that tells you keep going, you’re almost there, don’t stop now, it’ll be worth it! Fast forward to today….I am the owner of JcaFreelance LLC and I work for myself! Whoop Whoop! I am a traveling hairstylist and makeup artist for weddings, photoshoots and events. I couldn’t be more proud of myself and my accomplishments plus the drive to never give up!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel like what sets me apart from my peers is my personality and charm. I learned a lot by watching my uncle Jose in his salon. He was naturally engaging with every single client he encountered. There was never no facade or act to impress anyone. His personality and charm was warm and welcoming and he treated every client as if he knew them for years. I have been told in my reviews that it felt as if they knew me for years as well based off their experience with me. I took what I learned from him and utilized it in my daily encounters with clients, peers, friends and family. If you’d ask anyone to describe me I’d guarantee you’d get the same answer from all. Staying consistent in who I am as a person means a lot to me. Today, I am where I am professionally based off gaining massive work experience from multiple salons, makeup counters, customer service and administrative positions. I took every ounce of what I learned to utilize it in my own personal business today. Was it easy? Nope! Many sacrifices had to be made and many dedicated hours were put into physically working or taking extra classes to learn new tips and tricks of the trade with hair styling and makeup applications. I overcame any challenge simply by putting forth the effort and keeping a positive mindset to succeed at what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I am still learning lessons everyday but some that pop right out to me that I’ve learned along the way in my field is to always be honest to my clients. My integrity is important to me so being truthful and honest is key! Commitment, punctuality, communication are others that I make a priority in my business and are also appreciated by all of my clients. I would love the world to know that I am and will always be passionate about the career I chose to work for the rest of my life. This fire inside will always be lit and I am consistently ready to enhance anyone’s inner beauty and self-confidence.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d absolutely love to recognize my uncle Jose Camacho for choosing the career that he fell in love with which drove my fascination toward it. Definitely shouting out my mother Rose Navarro and my children’s father Carlos Hower III for taking over the care of my children while I was at work full-time and school part-time daily.

Website: www.jcafreelance.com
Instagram: @jcafreelance
Facebook: @jcafreelance