Today we’d like to introduce you to Yesenia Carrasquillo.
Yesenia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At the age of 30, I decided I was ready for a change! I was so overworking my 9-5 and barely making ends meet. I started from the bottom in 2017. I wanted a fresh start in all aspects of my life and decided that if I wanted to start a new journey, I had to detach myself from everyone and focus. My boyfriend and I temporarily moved into a hotel with my three kids and that same day we opened up my Instagram account @braidedby_jessy! This was the start of it all. I started getting most of my clients via Instagram and client referrals. At the time, they would either go to the hotel or I would go to them. Months later, I moved into my apartment and started to braid there. That didn’t last to long because my apartment complex wouldn’t allow me to run a business from my apartment so I moved to my first studio. Although I loved my studio, the timing wasn’t right. I was way ahead of myself because even tho I had lots of clients, it still wasn’t enough to sustain my personal bills and the suite bills, so I had to go back to braiding at the house. June 2018 via Instagram I wrote @shakirag to do her braids at the time she was the wife of an urban Latin singer and she said yes!
I offered to do her braids for free and drove 18 hours in exchange for promo to do her braids. She was so in love with her braids that she ended up paying me and she did such an amazing promo for me and that was a turning point in my braid career. I continued to travel for her and had the opportunity to work with other famous models and influencers such as Instagram influencer @aggyabby. In early 2019, I launched @ Braided By Jessy Collection, my own edge control line “Edge Juice” and my hair growth oil “Braid Juice” along with my lash line “Wicked Lashes.” Later that year I launched @Braided By Jessy University, where I started to offer one on one Braid Classes. We worked hard, long hours, many sacrifices and in 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, I finally opened up my first braid lounge in Orlando @The Braid Lounge Orlando LLC. I now have three braiders working under me and I also do my private braid classes.
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?
This journey has not been easy! I would always tell myself to sacrifice now so later you and your kids can live a better life. Many times we were broke because I had to buy supplies or invest in marketing. Sometimes I would have to travel and we couldn’t afford it but I knew the sacrifice would mean more clients and a closer step to success. The hardest is the time I spend away from my kids, working long hours or traveling. But they have been a part of this journey and I know In the long run they will understand all of this is for all of us.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in all braid styles as well as human hair extensions. We service men, women and children. What I am most proud of is Braided By Jessy University. I teach many students that know nothing about braiding and they leave with so much skill and knowledge. Many of my students are very much like me when I started full of doubts, scared not knowing if this is going to work and I help them gain the confidence that they didn’t have when they walked In. Seeing them start their own braid journey and watching them take off has to be my greatest satisfaction. I want them to know that it’s not gonna be easy but if I did it so can u and there’s room for all of us at the top!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Fear of the unknown only gets in the way of things that you want. Don’t doubt yourself. Always stay positive and pray for the best and if it doesn’t turn out the way you like, take it as a lesson learned!
Contact Info:
- Email: Braidedbyjessy@gmail.com
- Website: www.braidedbyjessy.com
- Instagram: Braidedby_jessy
