Meet Jody Brown | Hairstylist & Photographer

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

Hi Jody, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
My story starts off like most. I didn’t have the easiest childhood. By the grace of God and the love from my aunts, I graduated high school and was on my own after that. When I was younger my mom my was an alcoholic and on drugs. My dad had another family and moved to Indiana. I had two little sisters I had to help take care of when my mom was too messed up to do it. My mom ended up leaving us. My sisters went to their dad and I was dropped off at my best friend Ryan’s house. His mom didn’t turn me in but instead took care of me until my aunt found me a year later. I appreciate her more than she will ever know. My aunt and her husband then raised me for the next couple years until graduation. I experienced more than what many kids did, but it taught me how to take care of myself and figure it out. It also taught me that our parents are not perfect and unfortunately sometimes we are dealt a crappy hand but we can still choose to be better and do better. My aunt that took care of me passed away from leukemia and I lost the place I could always run back to. But that pushes me even harder everyday to try and build something for myself to always run back to and even my kids one day. My upbringing made me strong, understanding, self-less, openminded, hardworking, and FORGIVING. My life wasn’t easy, but God has always been good to me..

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started off with nothing. I lived in a rooming house infested with rats and barely made money working at a call center. I was then offered to move to Orlando with my girlfriend (who is now my wife). I knew no one. I started working at Save-A-Lot. But I knew I couldn’t do that forever. So, I bought a camera and I started doing photography. I did family photos, weddings, boudoir, etc. One of my first clients in Orlando was Val Demings, a U.S. representative. I was so happy that they reached out to me, especially when I knew no one out here. Then someone mentioned how I could do hair since I did such a great job. I honestly just wanted to do anything I loved doing to make money. So, I did it. I started off with one person, then another person, then they told their friends, and their friends told their friends, and so forth. Through building my hair business, I learned that so many people go through so much, and most can barely afford help unless they have insurance. So, I started going to school for psychology. I just achieved my associate’s. I want to open a nonprofit organization for any age to have a place to come and talk to psychologists for free. I want to include a game room for children to play games while they talk to psychologists. I want to include a rage room. I would also like the psychologists to be interns who are practicing for the field. I have so many dreams and goals I am working towards. I can’t wait to help change the world. The road has never been smooth. I made many mistakes, but I learned from them. I had last-minute cancellations, I have done many freestyles, I have felt like I should give up when it comes to school, I went months without a day off, I dealt with family members battling with addiction, and even a PANDEMIC. But through every obstacle, the strength from God got me through. If everything was easy, it wouldn’t mean as much as it does now knowing I got through it all. Tomorrow may be another problem, but I will conquer it. I want everyone to know that I just want a chance to be great and show that I am more than what or where I came from.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I were to take my best friend anywhere, it would be to the beach! Beach and Margaritas with nothing but music and great vibes!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Family, Friends, and Clients have been such a blessing in my life. They motivate me, support me, and show so much love to me. Without them, I would be nothing.

Website: selflessgrindhairstyles.booksy.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/selflessgrindhairstyles?r=nametag

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/jody-howe-a90234131

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supatatted.raiinbowlovee

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCTW1RrPw89kWc63x99ipxnA

Other: https://www.amazon.com/shop/jodyannette?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh

Image Credits
DaniLeigh, Trippy, Gypsy Nino, Duda Castro, Nova Dejesus, Stella Dejesus, JWhyNot, Aleah Hall