We recently had the chance to connect with Jayla Barnes and have shared our conversation below.
Jayla, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me includes a balance of my fashion courses, my day job (insurance), the gym, and checking up on my clothing line (fulfilling orders, booking events, etc.) My days are hectic and full, but I know it will not be this way forever. I am blessed with all the opportunities I have been given.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have had a passion for design and styling since the day I could walk. I would style herself in my grandmother’s heels, night gowns, dresses, scarves, etc. I grew up selecting my outfits every night before bed and lived by the mantra, “If it ain’t a good outfit, I won’t have a good day.” I was always that extra girl in high school wearing heels, dresses, and hand-me-down designer bags from my mother.
In high school, I was focused on track and ballet until a really bad fall while running track.. This left me feeling without a purpose and no escape from an unstable at-home life while my parents were divoricing. During my Junior year of high school I selected business electives in school and fell in love with the idea of becoming an entrepreneur. With the help of my mentors and teachers, I worked endless hours to fundraise and prepare a business plan to obtain investors to make True Piscean Wear come to life. With $1,000 raised and invested in the company, and countless supporters donating their time and resources, TPW took off in the Denver Area.
True Piscean Wear started with 6 custom handmade athleisure designs then moved into printed and embroidered wholesale athleisure which officially launched on November 22nd, 2018. Valentine’s Day 2019 is when True Piscean Wear shifted its focus to mainly lingerie campaigns in the colder seasons and swimwear campaigns in the warmer seasons. True Piscean Wear is still swimwear and lingerie focused, but as of 2024, we have started to slowly introduce different custom designs to our customers and plan to continue to shift to more custom clothing as well as customized shopping experiences for our clientele.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a vibrant, over-the-top, wild little girl. In my mind, I was a superstar, and I could do anything I put my mind to. I have always loved music, dance, and fashion. I had a wild imagination and I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. From lemonade stands to selling tickets for my dance shows. I attempted any dream or goal I had.
I wore what I wanted, shared my thoughts, shared my art with any and everyone unapologetically, I was a force to be reckoned with.
I like to keep a photo of young self in my workspace to remind me not to forget that little girl in me. I do what I do for her and she would be so proud of me.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me that sometimes all that you have is yourself and your faith and that can be enough to get through anything. Suffering has also taught me that things may not be okay in the moment, but they will be okay, they always are. I stay strong and push through battles by faith. Suffering has taught me how strong and capable I am.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Education is important, but experience and real-life application is absolutely crucial, sometimes it is more important than a formal education.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
This is a crazy question to think about! It really puts life into perspective.
Working my day job in insurance and going to college! Haha.
I would go full force for every one of my dreams and spend my days doing what I love and every possible moment with my loved ones. Finances would no longer be much of a concern or focus for me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truepisceanwear
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truepisceanwear
Image Credits
image #1 Photographer AzioSky
image #5 Upside Brown Photography
