Meet Chatwaka Jackson | HairStylist /Educator /Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chatwaka Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chatwaka, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
I believe one of the most important lessons that I have been taught in my career, and my business is to always be a humbled student. I say that because you can never stop learning you can never stop growing it’s always good to always be willing to be open to change, which will always help you grow your business no matter what being a student first doesn’t mean that you’re not capable of succeeding in different levels of your career, but it also keeps you very humbled as well not thinking that you’re bigger to ever stop learning that’s what his life is about. It’s about always learning and growing. Not just in my career, but also my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I have always love hairstyling even as a young girl I remember as young as early as kindergarten or first grade that I took a love a look passion for just doing my own hair. I started late in my career I went back to cosmetology school in my early 30s only because I did not know how to transition as far as being in corporate America for over 10 years. At the time night classes was not offered but a window of opportunity opened up and I was able to pursue my career at Paul Mitchell The school in St. Louis back in 2010. I definitely overcame some challenges as far as my career meaning that I have to start all the way over from building clientele from even understand the different dynamics of the industry, and I definitely learned a lot from the different mentors that I have throughout my career. I can say the most challenging things that I’ve done which might sound cliché to some but that was take a leap of faith and moving to LA back in 2019 again transitioning, starting over from scratch moving over 1500 miles away from what I knew as familar/ family . Not long after arriving in LA within a year into living here the pandemic hit, so that was also challenging. I was blessed to be an instructor at the Paul Mitchell School Sherman Oaks, which help to build amazing relationships with students that are now dear friends of mine. We have worked side-by-side in the industry, and they have also help me to connect with other people who have helped me grow my career since being in LA . These opportunities opened up for me to connect and create with people who have put me in a position to grow my career tremendously. I have been blessed to be Department Head for Hair for a couple of big projects for me this year one being “ The Blackening” directed by Tim Story and written by Dewayne Perkins and Tracy Oliver. I was awarded this opportunity by a very dear mentor of mine DaRico Jackson, who help me grow tremendously in my career while in California. Another one is  “Twisted Vines” which is streaming on Amazon Prime produced by Jihane Mrad Balaa and Executive Producer Thanasis Antetokounmpo starring Vivica Fox and Michael Parè.

My newest project that I am proud of is officially launching my first master class here in LA called Pro-Folio Master Class back in July where I help other creators to build professional portfolios in the industry. I seen a need for a class such as this for this growing industry. Being from a small city that didn’t offer certain opportunities for people to see I wanted to creative that space I’m looking forward to our next class that will be launching in January 2024 so be on the look out.

The lessons that I have learned and continue to learn is that you must always be willing to network not just within your community but going outside of the box in order for you to be able to be open to change. That  was something that I dealt with and definitely had to take a step back because I had to deal with a lot of different mental changes that I was going through as well and taking time for myself to really focus on me and what I wanted to do with my career. I have my independent clients as well that I service that where some a part of the industry and that’s always rewarding. Being able to style them for their amazing accomplishments. I’m also continuing to build my own clientele while working at a salon in the Leimert Park area called the Shop Hair Lounge located at 4312 Crenshaw Blvd. It’s owned by a dear friend of mine Tiffany Prophete.  Continuing to grow my professional portfolio by working with creatives in both photography, MUA and Styling. I’m  looking forward to submitting my portfolio to agencies for representation this coming year which I think will be another great opportunity for me to build in this industry.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to all of the tourist locations like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign, the new Academy Museum is definitely a plus. I haven’t been able to visit yet but plan to every soon. Stop by a good food truck which LA is know for. Leimert Park most definitely I love the area, people and food. A hugh plus is that I work in that area and how Leimert Park is so rich with my culture. The Spectrum in Orange County, Disney. To be honest I’m still learning and getting to know areas in LA and California so I think we both will be tourist at this point!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate and give  recognition to two very important people that have been very instrumental in my career. I have watched, grown and been mentored and supported by them. They have guided me through my career and that will be my late Great aunt Rosetta Willis she received her PHD in Beauty Culture from in Washington DC and a salon owner that was a staple in her community in Kansas City, Missouri sadly she passed away this past September and was a matriarch in our family. My God-Aunt Bridgett Green who owns Beauty and the Art Salon Suites in St Louis Missouri who instilled the business of entrepreneurship, and owning a successful business for the past almost 30 years. Both of these women have taught me so much about not just my career, but the depths that they have went through as successful  business women of hair styling and business in this industry, for their wisdom, tenacity, and just their overall love for the industry, and what they have show me as far as being very poised in my career I definitely give honor to them wholeheartedly. I’m truly blessed, and because of that I share the same love to others. They have selfishly poured into me and for that I’m honored and forever grateful. I will continue to share my knowledge, love and passion for this industry and I can’t wait to see what my future holds.

Website: Chatwakajackson.com

Instagram: Chatwakajackson_

Linkedin: Chatwaka Jackson

Twitter: TwakaFlaka

Facebook: Hairbychatwakaj

Image Credits
Photographer- Darshaezamariphotography MUA – Andrea Samuels