Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamesha Petty.
Hi Jamesha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Greetings to All, On a tranquil and cool breezy day on the beautiful island of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, James Petty Jr and Cecelia Erskine-Smith produced a bouncing baby girl. That’s me, Jamesha Cecelia Petty, now owner of Miraculous Braids LLC “Hair I Am.” Taught by my late mother, I have been braiding without extensions from the tender age of 13 years old. It became a hobby that I never imagined would become a career. I wanted to become an expert at it, so I started practicing more and more. I would use my family members and friends to help aid in my desire to want to get better. I eventually found myself going to school and braiding my classmate’s hair on my lunchbreaks and in between classes. My love for braiding was becoming stronger. In 2008, three days after graduating from high school, I lost my mother. I lost my desire to continue braiding. Depsite the huge loss, I found the strength to pursue higher learning and enrolled into college. I attended Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for 2 years, then I transitioned over to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where I graduated with honors earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and becoming Pre-Law Certified. I then returned home and became known to the Law Enforcement world, starting as a Environmental Enforcement Officer. With pressure from family and friends about doing their hair, I gradually started braiding again. My ex-co-worker Shena would keep asking when am I opening my shop. She said “I’m going to keep asking until it happens.” She had so much faith in my craft. I then attended and graduated from the Virgin Islands Police Department Training Academy becoming an Internal Affaris Agent and ending as a Law Enforcement Officer with the Virgin Islands Port Authority. After experiencing the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria back in 2017, I decided to relocate to Florida with my son and fiancé, where I would then transition to the office setting becoming a Felony Trial Clerk with the Orange County Clerk of Courts. After the move, previous clients started recommending me to their family members here in Florida, so I started braiding again. In December of 2020, I started researching about the proper ways to get my LLC to start my own braiding business and learning to braid with extentions. It became frustrating and mentally draining. After GOD, my fiancé Aubrey Daniel Jr, whom I cherish so much has been my rock through it all. His words of encouragement became all I needed. He did alot for me throughout this journey. He bought me my first mannequin head and that’s when I took off. For the first time braiding with extentions, I was producing quality work. I then decided to invest in myself and my work. I took two master braiding courses, one with Ieesha Lake from BraidsByIeesha and Latoya Munson of Phenomenal Braider. I got so much more expertise and knowledge from these two ladies and found my work getting better. I was moving faster than I expected. In January of 2021, I registered and successfully completed my documentation for my LLC. Soon after, I launched my first special in March and was booked out. My heart was full. I started as a home-based business, now I have my own Salon Suite in Winter Springs, Florida. I often look back at how far I have come, and I must say I am truly an inspiration to myself. I am excited for this new chapter and still have a long way to go.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Almost every successful person will encounter a rocky journey. Regardless, it’s a journey. It’s lifelong and built with unpredictable and undulating ups and downs. So yes, I have faced many struggles many of which were built upon risk, change, and personal development. My biggest struggle was finding quality vendors for hair and products. Another was finding innovative ways to create funding to purchase these products, rather than exausting my very own savings. The journey teaches you to cope with failure. You learn to get up anyway, and to push onward towards your dreams. I quickly realized that if I wanted to succeed, I had to have the resilience to face the inevitable.
We’ve been impressed with Miraculous Braids LLC “Hair I Am”, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a successful braider producing tremendous work, I am passionate about offering quality protective braiding styles and exceptional customer service. I care about your hair, and with each style I aim to bring out the best look in you. I service children, women and men throughout Central Florida…..Yes All Are Welcomed! I am in competition with no one but myself. I am creative, possess a high energy level and I go hard for what I want. I strive to complete my work with top notch efficiency and this is what truly sets me apart from the rest.
I am working on more innovative ideas and products to expand my business, all of which will be branded. The hope is to have the first project released before Christmas of 2021. Eventually, that project will open doors for me to offer courses and do travel tours to different cities to pass on my skills and knowledge to others around the world. I truly believe in moving quiet, because not everyone has your best interest at heart therefore, all I can say is to stay tuned and follow my business pages for updates and new releases. I am continuously working and building.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
This city is super diverse, and a great place to raise a family. However, the weather is very bipolar and the cost of living does not match the pay.
Pricing:
- Due to the amount of time, products and expertise needed to carry out a specific style, prices vary between styles and can range as high as $550.00 to as low as $25.00.
- I offer discounted prices for parents with more than one child and also give discounts for birthdays to returning customers. These can be found on my business website.
Contact Info:
- Email: jamesha@miraculousbraidsllc.com
- Website: www.miraculousbraidsllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miraculousbraidsllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miraculousbraidsllc/
