Today we’d like to introduce you to Jolene Walker.
Hi Jolene, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My career path began at a very young age, when my mom had me perm her hair at 12. Soon, my brother’s friends and my own friends were asking me to cut, style, and perm their hair. I remember thinking, “Do I just look like I know how to do hair? Why does everyone keep asking?” That’s when I realized I’d found a hidden talent. That experience led me into cosmetology, taking something I was already doing naturally and turning it into a career.
Around the same time, I discovered another path. In junior high, my PE teacher asked me to learn an aerobics routine and teach it to the class. I said yes, and that was the beginning of my journey as a fitness instructor. In high school, I kept taking aerobics classes and training to teach. In college, I took another aerobics class, and the instructor didn’t like teaching step, so I offered to teach her classes for her. I actually paid her so I could teach the classes because I needed the college credit. But that experience built skills and confidence that became a big part of my career.
For over 26 years, I have continued teaching and training in fitness while also working in cosmetology. Along the way, I earned multiple certifications and continued expanding my knowledge.
In 2013, my life took another turn when I became a single mom with full custody of my four boys. I had to chart my own way forward, balancing survival with building a sustainable life and career.
Today, I own my own salon studio as a licensed cosmetologist and permanent makeup artist. I also hold more than 15 fitness certifications and teach two to four classes a day, in addition to personal training and group training.
My certifications include NESTA Personal Trainer, AFAA Group Fitness, Les Mills BodyPump, Les Mills BodyCombat, Les Mills Core, Les Mills RPM, High Fitness, 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Pilates, Barre, Turbo Kick, Spinning, TRX, and R.I.P.P.E.D.
Both sides of my career grew from those early discoveries. Through fitness, I help people feel stronger on the inside, and through cosmetology and permanent makeup, I help them feel beautiful on the outside.
That’s the best of both worlds — making people feel their best.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No being in the service industry is one of the hardest paths to take cause you have to please everyone and you can’t always be perfect, and as a perfectionist this has always become a challenge, I have a passion and a desire to help people but can’t always live up to expectations
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in cuts colors extensions on women and men, and then also Permanent Makeup eyebrows eyeliner and lips, and the Fitness world. I just specialize in teaching and training and helping people become the best versions of themselves.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
That you can’t, please everybody, you can only do the best that you can within your own means
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/iamjojowalker
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DvQLxLXhw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
