Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica ( Ace ) Felder
Hi Jessica Ace, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My names Jessica people call me Ace, I’m from Fort Worth Texas . I started doing hair as a hobby in high school but never really took it serious. Never really looked at it as an actual job fareal. I had a daughter 1 month before I graduated high school so in my mind I needed a career.
I went to medical school after high school worked in that field for a while. But I didn’t like it much I just knew it was a field that would make me money. We ended up loosing her dad when she was three and that was devastating after that I knew I had to keep a job and make good money to provide for my daughter. Eventually I changed fields and went on to accounts payable for a few years. I realized real quick Corporate America was just not for me I never wanted to go work I hated all my jobs no matter how much money I was making I knew then I wanted to work for myself I just had to figure out what I was gonna do.
I ended up managing a salon and hair shop in Dallas called foreign lengths they sold hair and installed it and working here sparked my interest in hair again. Specifically wigs The owner of the salon was a guy named aris bell.big shout out to him ! I was intrigued he started a successful hair company and salon especially being a man lol no shade. he was my boss of course but we ended becoming friends he was what you call a serial entrepreneur , when he was done with the hair industry he ended up giving me his vendor showing me how to price the hair and make a profit and from then on I started to teach myself lace. I started booking clients and ended up getting better and better at it. Saved up money and started my hairline. Became pretty popular hairstylist in my city. But felt like it was time for a transition. There’s not a day that I wake up and don’t wanna do hair I love what I do so much I eat sleep and breathe hair. I love it.
My mom moved to California back in 2016 I kept saying for years I was gonna move to California too. I knew it would be better for my career. And finally I picked up everything and made the move November 2021 and I ended up meeting all the right people and making all the right connections as soon as I got here like god was just waiting on me to take the leap And now here we are. I’ve worked with Zeus network on over 3 seasons, The B E T awards , my work made vogues best beauty looks this year for B E T awards I’ve worked with a number of celebrities, Artist, and influencers and so much more.
I have truly been blessed and I think California was definitely my best move. November will make 3yrs in California I feel like I’ve established myself now it’s time to open my salon.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Two things that made the road tough For sure and almost discouraged me. First things was I finally saved up for to get my own salon in Texas and the guy that I ended up renting from didn’t get all the permits he needed to have for a salon, I signed a lease paid up my rent painted decorated bought equipment all for the the city to shut the whole place down pad lock and all. the guy wasn’t even a citizen so he couldn’t acquire to correct permits even if he wanted to, all my hard work down the drain. I was devastated I worked so hard I saved I sacrificed and then boom dreams crushed. It was a learning experience for sure. I ended up finding a suite not long after that and just worked there for a while. Not what I wanted but I did have my own space I believe things happen when there supposed to it just wasn’t the right time or the right state for it to happen in. I will open my shop in California though !
2nd thing was in 2021 I woke up paralyzed spent a month in the hospital learning how to walk again. And during that time the only thing I could think about or cry about was not being able to do hair again. Then me and my mom started to come up with ideas about designing a chair to help me stand and be able to still do hair. Just in case, Giving up doing hair was never an option never even crossed my mind being scared I wouldn’t be able to do it crossed my mind but even then I was gonna figure it out lol. God had other plans cause I walked out that hospital !
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a celebrity hairstylist known as Laced By Ace specializing in wigs and extensions. I’m known for being a great hairstylist and making women and men feel beautiful. I’m most proud of myself for moving completely across the country rebuilding my business from scratch in a very busy intimidating city like Los Angeles. What sets me apart is it’s not just about the money for me it’s about creating art and genuinely loving what I do. Doing hair isn’t a job for me it’s simply just waking up and doing what I love every day. And it happens to make me money.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory was my first trip to six flags just me and my mom I had to be about 8 yrs old maybe 10. My first encounter with green screen. And karaoke. We walked in this green room and chose our songs and sung our hearts out and they recorded us and they made it look like we were on a stage in concert performing in front of thousands of people. I’ll never forget I sung alanis morissette “ironic”, my mom listened to all kinda music when I was growing up so I like all genres of music. My mom still has the vhs tape til this day. And Afterwards we went and took antique photos in old western style dresses with prop pistols on a set that looked like a saloon. The whole day was like a fairytale one of the happiest childhood memories I have with my mom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lacedbyac3.booksy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlacedbyace
Image Credits
Khulula Timi
