Meet Jordann Thomas | The pink barber-tologist

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

Hi Jordann, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
We as stylist pay weekly to work

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I was born for this when I was a baby my babysitter saw the only way to get me to stop crying was to give me a comb!

My passion and ending goal is what separates me from everyone because my purpose is to change the world!

It took a lot to get where I’m at dodging distractions, figuring out my path, staying disciplined enough to practice like my life could change overnight and it did!

Ever since the first day I learned to braid I never stopped. There wasn’t one day that passed that I didnt have a comb and doll head in my hands practicing, MASTERING MY SKILL.!

Being a young mom at 17 didn’t stop me it pushed me into hyper drive I’ve always earned money since I was young. I went to SCPA the school of creative and performing arts where stars are born, I was what they call a survivor I attended this school from 4th grade to 12th grade. This was an intense pre professional school where I trained to be a young professional where I studied as a ballerina, actor and stage manager. Many celebrities graduated and walk the halls of my school even a president owned my school as his home, in which is now a historical site. Even my great grandmother went to my school when it was separated by boys and girls. I come from a rich background from there I started my modeling career where I earned 75/hr at 10+ doing commercials, print work, motivational speaker for postponing sexual involvement. I went to different schools to teach and earned income doing so.
I continued my professional career until I became a mom but by the grace of god I was able to obtain my high school diploma!
From there I went to college for psychology while working at Panera bread I did this for two years but the commute was strenuous.
I then switched schools to become a licensed bartender, certified massage therapist and working both fields.

I made a lot bartending and I met so many people but staying up late wasn’t the best idea with a 3yr old. Working late and sleep during the day didn’t make sense but I was able to support me and my family. Sometimes I didn’t have good nights it was up and down but it was so fun I began to loose sight of structure and direction.

Then I hit rock bottom when my dad went to prison they gave him max 8 years for a non violent case so for 8 years it was just my mom, my baby and I. Needless to say things got rough to the point I couldnt afford to get my baby hair braided and it was only 40.00 I knew how to do hair but I just didn’t know how to braid the right way. So I ended up cutting his hair I wish I didn’t because it was so long and pretty but I had to do something.

One day while talking to a good friend I mentioned i needed something different that would allow me freedom. I started washing dishes for an event company I liked it because it was just me I didn’t have to work with anyone else and I was paid in cash. Long hrs but it was worth it until I got into an accident from being so tired.

Another job I had delivering 1200 newspapers weekly. Picking up stacks of unfolded newspapers and rolling them up stuffing it in bags and then delivering them all for just 100.00 weekly but I made it work. I dragged all my friends to help me they wish I would just stop but it seemed easy enough to do. There were times both my friend and I whom came to help would fall asleep in the middle of the street while delivering thinking it was smart to go at midnight or later, fun times.

Then I picked up a job at a nursing home serving food but got fired for answering a jail call from my dad.

Next I was referred to a fine dining restaurant on the river bank by my bartending school I made so much money even though they wouldn’t let me bartend. lol that’s fine I made my money anyway with my professional skills, and disciplined girlscout pre professional psychologist demeanor I woke up to succeed everyday and I would let nothing stop me. Some times I would handle parties of 20 people ordering drinks and I had to take the orders down, get to the bar make due with the attitudey bartenders to get the drinks just right and deliver to each person remembering their faces and passing with flying colors. It was a lot but I was always the leader I saw.

Along this journey my mom would always mention how I did hair so well and while I shared this compliment with my friend I was given a referral to India white. I was setup to meet her and we agreed on the braiding classes every mon and I went.
This was the start of my career.

I learned so many things that now seven years later I want to bring together, every moment I experienced in my life into my business. Every step of the way I taught myself day in and day out studying my work others work going to hair school for the first time in Cincinnati , then the second time graduating from LACA I became a barber and then after the third time graduating from universal college of beauty I became a cosmetologist.

Braiding hair allowed me to pack up my suv with my oldest son, my newest son and boyfriend and head to California! 33hr drive to a new place with little support. I first arrived in sacremento very different from Southern California something I definitely didn’t know. We stayed for a month in a weekly stay hotel but it wasn’t a place I could call home so we made our way down to LA. Where we were homeless but utilized every resource available landing us in a homeless program that after a year of complying and moving around we were placed in a temporary two bedroom apt in Santa Monica infested with roaches…

I almost didn’t make it but a family member in LA helped us clean up and create a nice home for my family where I celebrated the first year of life for my little baby. By month 6 I knew it was time to go I was pushed to find a job and I used my certification as a massage therapist to work at massage envy and braiding on the side in my homeless shelter apartment. Leading me to finding a single family house in central LA moving in DEC 2019. Every thing was good new life new career new house new baby then COVID.

Then came loss after loss I lost my job, we lost our freedom we lost money as so the whole world. That was crazy being on lock down and I’m new in LA just thinking how am I going to afford rent for 2200 and no money.

I remembered once picking up resources for my baby one company chose me for an interview and every one of course came into our meeting because my baby was so cute they wanted to be in the room with us but the interviewer asked me if I had noticed the magic yet. And I was puzzled it’s like something you hear in a movie but he explained the magic that cali holds and from there I never forgot. I held on to that thought because I saw the proof.
Here I am with nothing but I had everything!
Everything I touched turn to gold every thought I had came into existence and from there I’ve inherited my super power of faith and matched it with my drive.
I made it through everything it’s been 7 years in California and 5 years in my house in LA though it’s not anywhere near nice I’m making it and I’m still braiding hair every single day but now I’m building and gaining so much.

My dream is to give hope, inspire faith help others create the impossible for them selves. I want to help other people understand their own gifts and realizing everyday is a stepping stone!

I want to help change lives by helping them to live theirs. I believe I get to to do this as a hairstylist everyday and I want to share with the world the joy in this field. I want to bring back the spark as to why hair and every single part of you is important! This is what sets me a part because I want to do these things and I am doing it and I appreciate this opportunity to spread the word on this platform!
I am now focusing on my very own natural hair school in LA The Advanced Hair Academy at Isis hair salon 90016 and I want to invite everyone to come check it out spread the word. It’s important for us to know how to do our natural hair and I’ve mastered this skill. Understanding how to use my knowledge and great products to create something new but natural!
Stay tuned and follow on IG @u4eabraidsandstyles I will soon have my website available to purchase all natural products I use ever day to heal. I took the time to learn natural products to grow the hair and I personally have growing hands so I’ve nursed more than a lot of clients scalps, hearts and curls back to life. All by love and it’s a skill that shouldn’t be forgotten. That’s what my business is all about the euphoria of you. B.e.U
Stay tuned

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Malibu I would take a drive on a beautiful day up the PCH and go to this organic farm I found with the worlds best strawberries you’ve ever tasted. Then we would go past Zumba beach to this nook along the mountains where you just pull over on the side and enjoy the beautiful view through the flowers. Then we’d hop back in the car and I’d show my best friend the other cool beach spots I love like the matador beach or 100 step beach and maybe stay for the sunset.
Next we would go to the Santa Monica pier and enjoy the boardwalk maybe see if anything is popping at the outside plaza with the different Bars. To end I would see which rooftop party is going down in Hollywood maybe roam the streets and blend with the vibe would be nice. If my friend was looking for the night to never end we’d stop by weho where the party don’t stop and bar hop for the fun of it I’m sure we would run into celebrities or something you never know. My favorite food spot would be best hibachi on Olympic where we could get some expensive hibachi from the truck then most likely hit up an after hour spot then show my friend what we do in LA for the most fun, network then home to recuperate. There’s no place like LA you gotta live every moment every day!

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?
My mom for believing I can and supporting my ideas. My dad for showing me the game by being a successful entrepreneur. I appreciate both my parents together for helping me with my kids through this journey.
Next I’d like to shout out my friend and huge supporter Damon Warner for always having my back and encouraging me to keep going, he never left my side and I appreciate that! Lastly, India white for teaching me how to braid 7 years ago. She is a cosmetologist from Cincinnati Ohio doing big things. She is a mother, business owner and music artist overall dope woman and she made her self available to me every Monday for two months to teach me the basics of braiding natural hair. This changing the course of my life. I just needed something that was fitting to my life in which would allot me freedom and finances now.

Website: https://www.u4eabeu.com

Instagram: U4eabraidsandstyles

Facebook: The pink barber star

Youtube: The pink barber star

Other: Tik tok u4eabraidsandlocs and if you’d like to book an appointment find me on styleseat.com/u4eastyles

Image Credits
Vogue magazine