Jenae Eagins - Founder, Oil Mix Herb & Bonnet Boxx
Today’s babe spends her days helping people look and feel their best. Jenae is a hairstylist, wigmaker and founder of Oil Mix Herb and Bonnet Boxx. The pandemic hit her industry hard, but she persisted—launching two businesses in the midst of it all. Whether working hands-on in the salon or taking on new business ventures in the digital space, Jenae is determined to always provide quality care and trusted products to all of her clients (notable mentions include Chaka Khan, Walt Disney Company, E! Entertainment, Ebony Magazine, and BET).
The Basics:
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Current city: Los Angeles + Chicago
Alma mater: Truman College
Degree: Cosmetology
Very first job: Salon Assistant
Hustle: Hairstylist/Wigmaker; Founder/Owner, Oil Mix Herb & Bonnet Boxx
The Interests:
Babe you admire and why?
I admire Shonda Rhimes—she’s such an amazing writer and producer. She's the first black woman to have multiple shows running on major network TV, and she makes it a point to include diverse characters in her stories—that inspires me.
Favorite place you’ve traveled to and why?
Paris. I love the overall vibe and attractive cultural scene.
Go-to hairstyle?
Curly bob
What advice would you give your 20-year old self if you could?
Just start.
The Hustle:
Tell us about your hustle, providing a summary of your roles and the work you do daily.
I officially launched OMH and Bonnet Boxx in September 2020 and my current role is to basically develop both brands. I do everything from product development, web design, photography, inventory, social media management and editing, etc. I’m a one-woman-show, and for everything that needs to get done—from the design to the execution, marketing, etc.—I’m the point person.
How have your past professional and academic experiences and lessons prepared you for the work you do today? How have they not prepared you?
My salon background has given me valuable insight into developing herbal beauty products for OMH. I was able to see, firsthand, how the ingredients worked on my clients' hair, while seeing and hearing immediate feedback from them. It gave me the confidence to launch my well-researched creations and products as a business. It has also helped me to tap into a very specific demographic in developing Bonnet Boxx.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from building your brand and your business?
Don’t build a brand or company you’re not passionate about.
How has being a woman impacted your professional experiences?
I’m surprised to have been met with some pushback from some of the people in my industry. However, I don’t let that get me down, because I have a goal and a vision, and I’m excited to continue on my path.
In the last year, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your career?
Self care. I never took time to slow down and care for myself before, and now I make the time because I’ve learned that it’s essential to being productive.
How have your job, roles and industry differed from what they looked like before the pandemic?
Having been working in the service industry for two decades, everything was second nature to me. I was a well-oiled machine pre-pandemic! I was able to work steadily in a career I love, stay on top of the latest innovations and technologies, and expand my skill set at the same time. When the pandemic hit, my industry took a huge hit, too, and I was forced to look at things quickly and make the decision to pivot. While I didn't waste any time making the necessary changes, it did come with a new set of challenges. I was faced with having to move my new business ventures to the digital space, and was met with a whole new world of technology, programs, and apps I had to get familiar with. Because they were crucial for the success of my business, I had no other choice but to power through, develop my products, and sell them online!
What’s one thing you’re proud to have accomplished in your career thus far?
Launching two new businesses during a pandemic, where everything is done in-house, is something I’m very proud of. In a time when it would have been easier to crumble through all of the challenges that came up, I look back and think: wow, I created something out of one of the darkest times—not only of my life, but in history!
What is one of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced in your work? How’d you overcome it?
How quickly things change and your business has to adapt to that change. My attitude now is to learn as much as I can about what I’m doing and go with the flow.
Who are some women in your field that you look to for inspiration?
I really admire hairstylist Naeemah LaFond. I don’t know her personally, but I follow her on Instagram. She’s a talented hairstylist with a lot of skill and she recently used her voice to create a guide for industry decision-makers on how to better support POC within the beauty industry.
Career and/or life advice for other babes?
Know your worth, and then add tax.
Connect with Jenae:
Oil Mix Herb IG / Bonnet Boxx IG / Personal IG / Website / Email
This interview has been condensed and edited.
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