Meet Jade Smith of Slay & Pray

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Smith.

Jade, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, I grew up a military brat. Born in England and moved all over including Sacramento CA- after that, we moved to Germany, which is home for sure. I’m the 3rd out of four kids in my family with two strict Parents that were in the Air Force for over 25 years…

Growing up all over the world was the most incredible experience but still leaves you with a void. Somehow you don’t feel tied to, so you begin looking for things to fill in the cracks, at least I did. So, of course, I was a bit boy crazy. I found myself looking for validation from Boys very young and had very little self-worth (unknowingly) I had an abusive relationship in high school that I thank God I jumped out of and continued on with my teenage life. After graduating from a small town in Clovis New Mexico, my family moved to AZ.

Shortly after moving, of course, I found myself in a relationship and at 18 living with my parents, trying to finish beauty school I found myself pregnant. Yikes! I was barely with my bf at the time for a few months and was mortified but knew I was going to figure out how to raise this baby. Shortly after graduating beauty school I had my son, and I just knew I needed to do more. After all, I went from the golden child, having good grades, cheerleader, no kind of trouble (never skipped school a day in my life… I know, I know) I literally did a 360 and felt like I failed my family.

Especially my parents. I became a recluse and jumped into college to study law – always had a knack for arguing my point and doing it well! So I thought what the heck. Got my associates in paralegal, found myself pregnant again -with my daughter literally a year later- popped my daughter out in May and went back to school in June to get my bachelors because I felt like my associates wasn’t enough… After all, I’ve failed my family right (the self sabotage me)- I have to prove to the world that I’m more than just a statistic, or at least to my parents that they didn’t suck at raising me.

I graduated two yrs later and found myself in a job hardly making $15 an hour raising two kids as a single mom. Here I was with two babies before my legal drinking age and have no idea what I’m doing but woke up every day trying to figure it out. I worked tirelessly to make nothing but enough to buy diapers, baby food, similac (that wasn’t covered on Wic) but I felt like I was getting somewhere so hey! One day, there was an opportunity at my job to be on tv. I tried it and got picked. Fast forward to an amazing opportunity that got me a raise, some money to get on my feet and a free trip to Disney with my baby and parents.

Just before this happened, I went through a really bad breakup, so I felt God was seriously right on time in that moment. I couldn’t believe it. I was able to move out of my parents but found myself battling new demons. I found it funny just before this breakthrough experience that my pastor said “with promotion comes crucifixion” and he couldn’t have been more right. I worked more than I spent time with my kids for a company who pushed “women empowerment” but didn’t value the people behind the screens running their business which was unfortunate. I had the worlds greatest boss (I say that with sarcasm) who hated me (I lost weight off and on and my hair because of stress and depression) long story short- I had to quit.

There were some amazing people I met there, and I couldn’t be more grateful for those relationships. (I have a few sisters who I still have lunches with occasionally to catch up) I dealt with depression very heavy and anxiety throughout my life when I became a mother and some days were not easy to get through. There were some dark days where I didn’t even want to be here… I would’ve preferred to just not wake up the next day rather than deal with everything I had on my shoulders. I had my faith through it wavered… the enemy might not make you sin, but he’ll make you busy and keep you from being spiritually fed.

Fast forward to now – My Faith is so much stronger although I am no saint. My children are both incredible little humans that I adore more than anything in this world and the days that seemed endless I wish were longer now. I have learned that I do my best as a young mom and damn it if that ain’t enough IDC what others think or feel. When my children call me every morning to pray before school or to pray for the homeless person they see on the street I know I’m doing something right. Those who tend to have hearts of Gold I feel get tested often because the enemy wants that Gold to become dim and rusty. He doesn’t want me to share my story and help bring others to light. How many of us know the devil is lying?! Lol, plus, I have a say in how I wish to move forward, which is by faith and not by sight.

Which is why I’ve come up with a motivational faith blog (& a new T-shirt line… ssshhh stay tuned) for young moms, young women, older women, single Women, All Women and even the Fellas!! Where I wish to be the whisperer in their ear that tells them don’t you dare give up! Don’t you dare believe that voice that told you that you weren’t worth it, especially when our creator has already told us that we were fearfully and wonderfully made!! It’s so easy to doubt ourselves (trust me I get it, it took me exactly two weeks to write this because when I initially began I had to stop because I literally began to self-sabotage and tell myself no one wants to read this?)

And then today, I thought if it Oprah can be fired, if Michael Jordan can be kicked off the basketball team in HS and then be labeled as the Goat, If JK Rowling was a single mother who didn’t see her worth just yet and decided not to write those books -then yes life would have been able to go on HOWEVER little ol’ me wouldn’t have known that I could jump over every hurdle thrown at me in this lifetime too! So even if I only help one person – so be it. I pray you know you’re a bad a**! I pray you’re your biggest fan and you need no one else to give you that validation in order to fulfill your dreams. & stop waiting, start now, even if it’s small. You lack absolutely nothing to be effin Amazing!!! ❤️

Has it been a smooth road?
-Smooth road? -Not even close, lol!
-A mother of two before the age of 21
-College graduate making zero in order to take care of myself.
-Finding myself employed by people who didn’t value me because I didn’t value myself.
-Depression kicks in when things seem to be going on
-Anxiety & fear then kicks in when I want to move forward or do something original.

Life is a B word – but she’s funny too. Life’s like the person that you’ve got to find your groove with otherwise you just but heads every day. You eventually learn to stop trying to control everything just go with it. (as for me I give it over to My Creator and stop fighting the battles that were never mine, to begin with) & on the days you find yourself a little offbeat just take a frickin seat and try again tomorrow!!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Slay & Pray story. Tell us more about the business.
I have a blog I started a little while ago where I call it “I speak life into others.” I’m known for my mouth – it’s been a blessing and a curse for sure. I’m the one that speaks up and says things no one else will. Annnnnnd then I find myself in lots of trouble because of it.

This is where my anxiety and depression come in because I regret it later lol! I’m mostly proud that I did something I was terrified of doing. I’ve got very little following lol, and I’m ok with that.

I’m not sure if anything sets me apart? Honestly, all women are superheroes in my opinion! I’ve just tapped into my powers – I want to help everyone else do it too.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the industry is becoming more colorful. I say that in the most political way. Women of all races are stepping up and taking over, we’re starting to speak up unapologetically and I absolutely love it! I pray for a female president in the future! I see women impacting things such as politics and choosing someone who will speak up for our rights!!

Contact Info:

• Website: slayandpray.com
• Instagram: Slay.n.pray
• Facebook: SlaynpraywithJade

Image Credit:
Lace Johnson Smith

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