Today we’d like to introduce you to Jada Pope.
Hi Jada , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into the beauty industry started long before J. Marie’s Collection officially existed. Hair has always been more than a style to me, it’s confidence, identity, healing, and connection. I began building my skills and clientele while navigating life as a mother, entrepreneur, and woman determined to create something meaningful for myself and my community.
Over the years, I became known for specializing in natural hair and locs, eventually earning the nickname “The OG Loc Fairy.” What started as passion slowly evolved into purpose. I realized I didn’t just want to do hair. I wanted to create an experience and a safe space where people could feel seen, valued, and empowered.
After stepping out on my own in a salon suite at Nubian Design for two years I came across an opportunity. One of the biggest turning points in my journey was taking over and rebranding a salon space that had been a staple in the Whitehaven community for over 40 years. What was once Loretta’s Hair Port became J. Marie’s Collection, a modern natural hair salon built on legacy, education, professionalism, and community impact. Being able to honor that history while creating a fresh vision of my own has meant everything to me.
Today, J. Marie’s Collection is more than just a salon. We specialize in healthy natural hair care, loc services, microlocs, education, and mentorship. We’ve expanded into hosting classes, participating in community events, and creating opportunities for other stylists to grow their careers. I’m passionate about not only building a successful business, but also helping elevate the beauty industry and showing other women, especially Black women, that they can build something powerful from their gifts.
The journey definitely hasn’t been easy. There were sacrifices, setbacks, long nights, and moments where I had to bet on myself even when things felt uncertain. But every challenge helped shape the vision I have today. I’m still growing, still learning, and still dreaming bigger, and I truly believe this is only the beginning for J. Marie’s Collection.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge helped shape both me and the business into what we are today.
One of the biggest struggles was funding. Like many entrepreneurs, especially in the beauty industry, I had the vision long before I had all of the resources. There were moments where the numbers didn’t make sense on paper, and I questioned how I was going to bring everything together. Opening and building a salon requires so much more than talent and It takes capital, equipment, staffing, marketing, renovations, inventory, and constant sacrifice behind the scenes.
What helped me push through was my faith and the support system around me. I had people who believed in me even during moments when things felt uncertain. My family, friends, mentors, clients, and close circle reminded me to keep going when I felt overwhelmed. They invested into me. There were doors that opened at the right time, opportunities that aligned unexpectedly, and moments where faith carried me further than finances could.
I’ve also had to overcome burnout, self-doubt, and the pressure that comes with being both the owner and the face of the brand. Balancing motherhood, personal growth, leadership, and entrepreneurship all at once hasn’t always been easy. There were seasons where I had to learn how to trust myself more, set boundaries, and continue showing up even when things behind the scenes were difficult.
But honestly, those struggles taught me resilience. They taught me how to lead with intention, how to build genuine relationships, and how important community really is. Now when people walk into J. Marie’s Collection, they see a beautiful salon, but what I see is proof that faith, consistency, and the right people around you can turn a vision into reality.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
J. Marie’s Collection is a natural hair and loc salon rooted in healthy hair care, professionalism, education, and community. We specialize in locs, microlocs, natural hairstyling, braid services, and healthy hair maintenance while creating an experience that makes clients feel confident, cared for, and empowered from the moment they walk through the door.
Over time, I became known as “The OG Loc Fairy” because of my passion for loc artistry and the care I put into every client experience. While we offer a variety of natural hair services, we are especially known for our loc transformations, microloc installations, detailed maintenance, and customized healthy hair care plans. Education is also a huge part of our brand. Beyond servicing clients, we provide training, workshops, and mentorship opportunities for upcoming stylists who want to grow within the natural hair industry.
What truly sets J. Marie’s Collection apart is the heart behind the business. We are intentional about creating a welcoming environment where clients feel seen, respected, and comfortable. For many people, hair is deeply personal, and we never take that lightly. We focus not only on the final look, but also on the health of the hair, the confidence of the client, and the overall experience.
Another thing that makes our brand unique is our connection to the community. J. Marie’s Collection was built in Whitehaven, and we take pride in pouring back into the area through community events, educational outreach, mentorship, and partnerships. We want to be known as more than just a salon, we want to be a positive force and representation of growth, creativity, and excellence within the community.
Brand wise, I’m most proud of how much we’ve grown while still remaining authentic. Taking over and rebranding a salon space with over 40 years of history into something modern while still honoring its legacy was a huge accomplishment for me. I’m proud that we’ve built a brand that people trust, support, and genuinely connect with.
I want readers to know that J. Marie’s Collection is about more than beauty. It’s about transformation, confidence, education, culture, and creating opportunities. Whether someone is booking a service, taking a class, or simply following our journey online, I want them to feel inspired to embrace who they are and understand that growth is always possible.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
A few things that really help me stay inspired and continue growing, both personally and professionally are podcasts, business content, faith-based encouragement, mentorship, and learning from other entrepreneurs who are building something meaningful from the ground up.
I enjoy listening to motivational and entrepreneurial podcasts because they remind me that success usually comes with sacrifice, resilience, and consistency. I’m constantly consuming content centered around mindset, leadership, branding, healthy hair education, and personal development because being a business owner requires you to continuously evolve.
Social media has also become an incredible educational and networking tool for me. I follow educators, beauty professionals, and innovators within the natural hair industry who continue pushing creativity, professionalism, and healthy hair awareness forward. Seeing other Black women and entrepreneurs build impactful brands motivates me to continue expanding the vision for J. Marie’s Collection.
I’ve also had the opportunity to expand my voice within the industry through media and educational platforms. J. Marie’s Collection has been featured on The Creative Collectives Entertainment Network, where I hosted a podcast titled “Let’s Talk Hair w/ Teri and Jada” alongside Teri “The Microloc Specialist”. Experiences like that allowed me to have deeper conversations about beauty, education, entrepreneurship, and the evolving natural hair industry.
Another major influence in my journey has been mentorship. I’m grateful for the continued guidance and wisdom of Destiny Cox, whose experience and leadership have been incredibly inspiring to me as I continue growing both personally and professionally.
Most importantly, faith has been one of my greatest resources overall. During difficult moments in business and life, staying spiritually grounded helped me continue moving forward even when things felt uncertain. Prayer, encouragement from my support system, and believing in the vision before I fully saw the results carried me through many challenging seasons.
I’m also a huge believer in learning through experience and community. Some of my greatest lessons didn’t come from a book, they came from conversations, mentorship, trial and error, and simply staying open to growth. I try to take something valuable from every season, every challenge, and every connection along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jmariescollection.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: j.maries_
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jmariescollection
