Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Oglesby.
Hi jade, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
People always ask me how I got started, and the truth is, hair has been a part of me for as long as I can remember.
I fell in love with doing hair at just 9 years old after my stepdad’s mom gifted me my very first mannequin head for Christmas. From that moment on, I was obsessed. I spent countless hours practicing styles, collecting mannequin heads, and challenging myself to become better with every hairstyle I created.
As I got older, my passion quickly turned into purpose. I started doing little girls’ hair in my neighborhood, charging $20 for braids with beads. In the 7th grade, I landed my first job as a salon assistant, where I was introduced to the fast-paced salon environment and began learning what it truly meant to serve clients. My mom was my biggest supporter—she would post every hairstyle I did on Facebook (lol), and those little moments gave me the confidence to keep believing in myself.
By high school, I had built the confidence to start taking my own sew-in clients. At just 16 years old, I became a salon assistant for one of Baltimore’s most recognized hair brands. Over the next four years, I learned far more than just hairstyling. I learned professionalism, client experience, consistency, problem-solving, and what it really takes to build a successful business behind the chair.
At 20 years old, in November 2022, I officially launched JT the Stylist. What started as a little girl practicing on a mannequin head became a business built on passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to my clients.
Every late night, every class, every mistake, every lesson, every opportunity to network, and every challenge helped shape the stylist and entrepreneur I am today. Success didn’t happen overnight—it came from consistently showing up, staying coachable, and refusing to quit.
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone starting their journey, it would be this: be patient and stay teachable. Don’t rush the process or compare your timeline to anyone else’s. Focus on learning your craft, mastering the fundamentals, and accepting constructive criticism. Growth comes from being willing to learn, not from believing you already know everything.
Working under another stylist before launching my own business was one of the greatest blessings in my career. It allowed me to learn from someone else’s experiences—their successes, their mistakes, and the challenges that come with entrepreneurship. Those years gave me the confidence and knowledge to build a business that reflects my own values, standards, and vision.
Today, I’m proud to have serviced hundreds of clients, built a brand I’m passionate about, and now have the opportunity to teach others the same techniques, mindset, and business principles that helped change my life. My goal isn’t just to help you create beautiful hair—it’s to help you build the confidence and foundation to create the career you’ve always dreamed of.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any business, entrepreneurship isn’t easy. It comes with many rewards, but it also comes with sacrifices, challenges, and responsibilities that most people don’t see.
Throughout my journey, I’ve faced my share of struggles—client complaints, disputes, clients not respecting boundaries, missing family events, overworking myself, and even dealing with the physical demands that come with standing behind the chair for long hours. Entrepreneurship requires a level of dedication that can be both mentally and physically exhausting.
One thing I’ve learned is that when you’re a business owner, you’re never truly “off.” You’re not only the service provider—you’re also the content creator, editor, scheduler, cleaner, marketer, brand strategist, and the person responding to every client inquiry. You wear every hat, and the work doesn’t stop when your appointments are over.
Owning a business also means continuously finding ways to remain relevant while staying authentic to who you are. In an industry as competitive and saturated as the beauty industry, it’s important to consistently innovate, create memorable experiences, and find ways to set yourself apart while maintaining the integrity of your brand.
Entrepreneurship requires far more than talent. It takes strategy, discipline, resilience, and the willingness to keep showing up even when things get difficult. Success isn’t just built on skill—it’s built on consistency, adaptability, and the ability to keep growing through every challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in luxury quick weaves and traditional weave installations, with a focus on creating flawless, natural-looking results. I’m best known for my signature side parts, seamless layers, soft curls, and the sleek, meticulous finish of every installation. My goal has always been to create styles that not only look beautiful but also feel luxurious from start to finish.
While I take great pride in my work behind the chair, I believe exceptional customer service is just as important as the hairstyle itself. My clients value my professionalism, reliability, consistency, and the care I put into every appointment. They know that when they book with me, I’ll show up prepared, on time, and committed to delivering my best every single visit.
One of my greatest accomplishments isn’t just how much my business has grown—it’s how much I’ve grown as a person. Building a successful brand at a young age has required maturity, discipline, and an unwavering work ethic. No matter what I’m personally going through, I pride myself on showing up, remaining professional, and giving every client the experience they deserve.
The most rewarding part of what I do is the final reveal. Watching my clients see themselves in the mirror, witnessing their confidence grow, and seeing the excitement on their faces never gets old. Those moments remind me why I fell in love with this industry in the first place, and they continue to inspire me every day.
I believe younger stylists are often unfairly given a reputation for being inconsistent, unreliable, or unprofessional. From the beginning of my career, I made it a priority to challenge that perception. Although I’m young, I carry myself with the professionalism, work ethic, and standards of an old-school stylist. I believe your reputation is built on more than great hair—it’s built on consistency, integrity, and how you make people feel long after they leave your chair.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t give my big sister, Neisha—better known as Neishy, owner of Amor Fati Hair—her flowers.
She has been one of the biggest blessings in both my personal life and my career. Not only is she my big sister, but she’s also the stylist I had the privilege of working under for four years as a salon assistant. Those four years became the foundation of my career and played a huge role in shaping the stylist, entrepreneur, and business owner I am today.
Beyond teaching me about hair, she has been my mentor, biggest supporter, and loudest cheerleader. She has played such an important role in the growth and success of my business, and I truly don’t think I’d be where I am today without her guidance.
One thing I appreciate most is that she’s always willing to share what she’s learned. Every lesson, mistake, or experience she goes through, she pours back into me so I don’t have to learn everything the hard way. Whether it’s business strategy, rebranding, finances, savings, building credit, client experience, or simply navigating life as an entrepreneur, she’s always the first person I can call for honest advice.
She’s also one of my biggest advocates. She never misses an opportunity to brag about me or recommend my work to others (lol), and having someone who believes in me as much as she does has made all the difference.
They say having a great mentor can change your life, and I was fortunate enough to find mine in my big sister. She taught me far more than how to install hair—she taught me professionalism, consistency, resilience, and what it truly means to build a brand with integrity. I’ll always be grateful for her wisdom, encouragement, and the example she’s set. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better sister, mentor, role model, or teacher.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jtthestylist.as.me
- Instagram: @jt.thestylist
