Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Straus.
Jordan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been in love with makeup from a very young age. I also was born with that energetic, entrepreneur spirit. So naturally, I gravitated towards the beauty industry. I landed my first job on a play for the local theatre department when I was just 13. From there, I kept hustling and I became more and more known for what I do. However, it wasn’t all rainbows and lollipops I had some extremely low moments in my life, to say the least. By the time, I was attending beauty school I was the youngest person in the school having just turned 17. I had just been through a very spiritual awakening over the last 8 months. I had grown so deeply in love with myself and those around me. So, I started sharing my story with whoever would listen and listen to whoever wanted to share theirs with me. I immediately noticed this was not the norm in an industry that is know for its foundation of superficial people and vanity.
However, I was having these incredible moments with woman and men that would result in tears. we got the privilege of praying together all because I was given the opportunity of having them sit down in my chair. So now, I dedicate my time to caring for people the way my God would care for them and taking the superficial out of the beauty Industry. Nobody sits in my chair by accident or coincidence, so I would like to bring nothing but real love to that person. Everything I do I want to do with meaning because I’ve been given a second chance at life and I don’t plan on wasting it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As I referred to earlier my life was the opposite of easy. I grew up in a toxic environment that I’ll spare you the details of. Having been physically, sexually and verbally abused through different times in my childhood led me down a very destructive path. I began drinking and doing drugs at 13 years old with the wrong crowd. I began self harming and was extremely suicidal. I couldn’t even leave the house with out anxiety screaming at me and panic making its home. Later on, we lost our house and became homeless. I was living in a tent and still trying to keep up with my prestigious high school. It wasn’t long until I couldn’t keep up with my grades anymore and I dropped out and moved away from my family at the age of 16. I moved in with my two best friends who are older than me and were also in an awful place in their life. You could imagine that a 16-year-old considering the circumstances had no idea how to cope with all of this.
As a result, I looked to men for my worth and fulfillment. I also looked into the demonic spiritual realm which surrounded me with a lot of darkness. My self-esteem was so low. I was empty and hollow. I saw not a drop of purpose or meaning to my life. I was convinced I was just a waste of space. However, I tell you this because my life is 100% transformed today. During this time is right when I encountered God and He radically restored purpose, love, hope, and peace into my life. He guided me to follow my dreams as a makeup artist which was the only thing my passion did not waver from. I am a completely different person today with an exasperation for life. A woman who knows who she is and is always striving to keep growing. A woman who has forgiven and been redeemed.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into your business story. Tell us more about the business.
I believe what sets me apart is my love for the art and the people. I used to sit in the bathroom and be mesmerized by my mother putting on makeup, paying close attention to every detail. I believe that I was created with a passionate desire to impact the industry woven into my DNA. I do so but giving a woman a platform to share their stories and encouraging them through there hardships. Makeup is fun and it’s a door for human connection. I believe one reason God put us here is for each other. So, I want to use makeup to bring people together. I want to show them both the beauty they carry outside and in. I want to show them the opposite of what the stereotype of my industry is.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Yes, I do believe that my child has a huge impact on who I am today. I understand the reasons why I went through all that pain was because it made me have great empathy for people and appreciate the things I would take for granite otherwise. Also growing up in a family with a lot of personalities is the result of my wild and outgoing self.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 619-500-2576
- Email: jordanstrausmua@gmail.com
- Instagram: @jordanstraus
Image Credit:
Jonathan Selvilla @instavilla, Briana Nolan @bn______
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