Senior Jaelynn Wrice graduated in December from Rock Bridge as well as cosmetology school. On her journey to success, she has to learn how to juggle multiple clients and college classes. 

Wrice’s journey started from discovering her passion for braiding. She has worked to maintain a strict schedule to balance hair appointments, academic studies, work and relaxation time.

Q: How has senior year been?

A: “It’s been pretty light. I haven’t had [many] classes, much work or to stay in Rock Bridge for the whole eight hour [school day], so [it’s all been] pretty good.”

Q: What is the most important thing to you right now?

A: “Just focusing on making sure I have enough funds financially for college and being aware.”

Q: I know you do hair, what made you get into it?

A: “Really just watching videos on TikTok, YouTube and watching my mom when I was younger.”

Q: Tell me more about yourself?

A: “I’m 18 years old and I walk the stage in May. I’m planning to go to either Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, or I’m planning to go to Texas State in San Marcos, Texas.”

Q: I know that you did hair school, so how did it affect your braiding style?

A: “Hair school didn’t really [affect my braiding style]. I definitely learned from hair school, but most of the things that she taught, I already knew. I only went for a licence and stuff like that. So it really didn’t enhance anything, but it did teach me, a little bit more [about] sew-ins or quick weave knowledge but not braids.”

Q: How do you manage your schedule to ensure you stay on time for your appointments?

A: “I just plan it out. If I have a hair appointment to do in the morning, I plan my schedule to know I have enough time to do that hair and also do anything else.”

Q: Would you say doing hair affects your mental health from having lots of clients or having to wake up early?

A: “It can [affect my mental health] if I have more than two clients a day because honestly whenever I do, I’m standing up on my feet for 8 hours or more [and] my feet start to swell so it can definitely [take a toll on my] mental health.”

Q: How do you build and maintain relationships with your clients?

A: “I speak to them, I greet them, I make sure they have snacks, make sure they have water and, just be really kind to them.”

Q: How do you stay motivated, productive and ready?

A: “I just think about the money, [and] then the outcome because really when I do get tired, I’m just like, ‘oh my gosh, like, I’m really tired.’ But then I’m like okay, [if] I get this much amount of money, imagine what I get to do with that money whenever I’m finished. Talking to my clients keeps me motivated. Also, the outcome, taking pictures and seeing my clients [are things that make me] happy about this.”

Q: What does a typical day look like when you have more than one client in a day?

A: “If I have more than two clients a day, I wouldn’t be doing braids. I’d probably do [a] quick weave [or] a quick braid down or [a] natural style because braiding typically takes longer, so I would just get everything prepared for all three of those clients so whenever they come, I’m ready”

Q: What is the biggest challenge when it comes to braiding?

A: “Time management, [is] the only challenge that I have during braids because they have to be perfect to me. I have to make sure my braids and my parts are perfect. I don’t like any mess ups because I wouldn’t want [anyone] to mess up on me.”

Q: What’s your favorite service to provide?

A: “My favorite service to provide is probably Bohemian Knotless only because I love the outcome, [but] I just hate how long it takes. I also get to talk to my clients and see how they’re doing […] , so [I] really just have a good time talking to them as well as braiding.”

Q: What’s your average time for completing a full head of braids?

A: “It depends on what kinds of braids they are because it could range from four to six hours. It could range from four to eight hours. It really just depends on what kind of braids I’m doing because Bohemian braids probably take [around] eight hours.  A different style may take like six hours and another style might take four hours. It really just depends, and it also depends on the day because sometimes I move faster one day and move slower the other day.”

Q: Do you see yourself doing hair in the next two years?

A: “Unfortunately, I don’t see myself doing hair full time. But I definitely see myself doing hair on the side, on the weekends or if somebody texts me to get their hair done. I do not see it being my full time occupation.”