Today we’d like to introduce you to Janae Harris.
Hi Janae, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was in a dark place back in 2017. I was battling depression and anxiety from work and ending an engagement from a toxic relationship. I also gained a lot of weight and suffered from health problems. I had a friend who got me out the house and took me to a crystal wrapping class, she knew it was up my alley because I’ve been collecting healing crystals since I was a kid. The name of the class was called “Wrap & Roll”. Where you wrap crystals and smoke weed, lol. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. When I started to create my necklace I can feel the weight lift off my shoulders, the pain and anxiety started to go away as well. The instructor Came to me and asked if I’ve created before and when I told her no, she said see me after class.
After class, she mentioned how I can start My own business making jewelry. I sort of laughed it off as I felt there was no outlet out of my job anytime soon. But as soon as I got home I ordered wire and tools. And This became my healing therapy, creating crystal healing jewelry became my outlet. I then gathered all my crystals around the home and started creating. I ended up making necklaces, rings, bracelets, arm cuffs, anklets, and more. I got tons of compliments on social media and from many friends and family. A lot of people would ask me in public, where did you get your pieces made. It was then clear to me the instructor who is now a great friend of mine (Jasmine with Queendom Cultivation) was right. I created a website and did a small launch and sold out within 48 hours. I started then researching more about the healing properties of crystals. I’ve taken many classes about crystals and crystal healing. I traveled to Gem shows to research more about crystals. Finally in 2018, I created my business and named it after me “Janae Nikole”. And just two years later, during the pandemic, I became a full-time entrepreneur. I am my own brand. I promised myself to be my own walking talking manifestation. My life changed when I started to apply the healing properties of crystals to my day to day life. Not just with jewelry but also having a crystal to assist me in sleep, financial gain, abundance, recovery, creativity, etc. it was my mission to share everything I know with my community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To this day being a full-time entrepreneur is not easy, in fact I don’t think it’ll ever get easy. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. When I left corporate America, I took a huge pay cut. On top of working my business, I would also DoorDash and instacart to make ends meet. There were times where events were canceled that I would depend on to help poor back into my business. And I had to figure out how to make up for the expenses lost. Although these bumps came along the road, I was still happy and determined to run my own business. I choose happiness over sadness and faith over fear. Today a year and a half later, I run a successful small business (that I believe will become larger than life) and hired my first employee.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My Mission is to provide beautiful handmade crystal jewelry to my clients but to also educate my clients & the community on how to utilize crystals in their day to day lives. To manifest the desires of their hearts. I also provide workshops to teach how to create crystal jewelry, crystal learning 101, manifesting through meditations and affirmations, and vision board parties. I also have vended all over the US. My favorite places vending were Baltimore, Atlanta, & Miami. I’ve also provided a platform on Instagram for local vendors to find work in the Bay Area. I am also the co-host of Women who Thrive business and Networking events for women entrepreneurs so they can come together and build, grow, and network. There are also multiple upcoming events that I’ll be giving back to my community, I am looking forward to what’s your come in 2022.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
It is vital to have a mentor that you look up to and inspires you to be your greater self. But also that does accountability check-ins to make sure you are on the right track. This goes for the people that you surround yourself with. Are your friends & family supportive of your business? Are you pouring into each other or do you feel like you are only pouring into them? Once you let go of the rotten fruit of your tree, it is only then you can have fresh fruit.
Contact Info:
- Email: Shopjanaenikole@gmail.com
- Website: www.janaenikole.com (website re-launch 4/3/22)
- Instagram: Instagram.com/shopjanaenikole
- Facebook: Facebook.com/janaenikole
Image Credits
Vendor table was a photo taken of me at: Sundaze in SF
