We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad’s 25 Under 50K contest, sponsored by Platinum Seamless.
Get to know Jalia Pettis (@jaliadp). She is a session stylist and creative entrepreneur who freelances under her own business umbrella, 3Jay Productions.
Q&A:
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Jalia Pettis (JP): A fun fact about me is I love to cook & I am great at it!
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
JP: I started in the industry 17 years ago by complete happenstance. I never had an early desire to do hair or makeup. I initially managed talent and most of which were African American. Their number one complaint was that they couldn’t find anyone to do their hair or makeup. My response was “Oh, don’t worry. We’ll figure it out,” and that is exactly what I did.
BLP: What is your proudest accomplishment?
JP: To date my proudest accomplishment is being nominated for the 2024 NAHA Educator of the Year. Although I didn’t take home the trophy, it truly felt amazing to be able to see my efforts of growing within the industry as a second act in life coming to fruition. There is a lot more work to be done; however, that is a great achievement.
BLP: What is your current favorite hair trend?
JP: My favorite trend is people embracing what makes them feel their best. I can’t pick just one trend because many have resurfaced under different names. What I love most is the freedom to switch things up. One day you can rock curly hair and the next go straight. We're even celebrating gray as platinum now, which I really appreciate.
BLP: What is a tip you have for your fellow stylists who are looking to grow their following on socials?
JP: My tip is to stay true to yourself and be consistent! There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to social media. Share stories and reels and do collaborations—whatever reflects who you are as a stylist or artist. While some people advise niching down, that’s not my preference, especially since I excel in many different areas.
BLP: What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself just starting out in the industry, looking back on your whole career?
JP: I believe the journey that brought me here unfolded just as it should. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to go for it, even if you're scared! Not everyone will understand your reasons, and some people may try to hold you back rather than lift you up. But when you replace fear with faith, you'll find that incredible opportunities await you on the other side.
BLP: What is a valuable hair tip that you want to share with your fellow stylists (whether it’s a business tip or something related to styling/working with hair)?
JP: My business tip is to recognize the difference between marketing and branding. While branding is a popular topic, many mistakenly think it's just about a photoshoot. In reality, marketing is the "how," and branding is the "who." Marketing creates value, while branding extracts value. Whether you’re an employee, employer or a solo entrepreneur, taking a marketing class can help you understand what customers really want.
BLP: What inspires your work?
JP: I find inspiration in many different places. Sometimes it's from listening to music, other times from quiet moments alone with my thoughts. I keep a journal to capture those bursts of inspiration whenever they strike. Recently, I looked at a photo and felt inspired to create hair art on canvas. I never set limits on where I find inspiration.
BLP: What is something that keeps you passionate and motivated in the industry each day?
JP: My passion comes from the peace in knowing that I have curated exactly what I want out of my career. I did not do any of this based on the comments of others; if I had, I would have stopped a long time ago. That doesn’t mean I don’t have days where I question things, I certainly do. However, I know that each day is different. There is self-motivation within that alone. Perfect example is my day – I created a pitch deck for a brand that has nothing to do with beauty; I had a call for an upcoming commercial project where I will be the Key for both hair and makeup; and I will also be an Assistant Producer for an event taking place at a major film studio in LA. Like…seriously??!!
BLP: What changes would you like to see the industry make in order to grow/change/evolve/be better than it was before?
JP: I would love to see more focus on the business side of beauty in schools. Additionally, I hope for greater emphasis on education for aesthetics and makeup specifically for melanated skin, similar to the increasing education on curly and coily hair. I also want to see more brand executives advocating against the deregulation of our licenses. Overall, there’s still much work to be done, and I strive each day to contribute to the improvement of the industry as a whole.
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
JP: One career goal on my vision board is to play a significant role in a major commercial campaign for an international brand. I'm not just talking about participating in the photo shoot but being a key player in the entire brand launch with my name in the credits. I believe it will happen soon!
