We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jossy Maness a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jossy , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic I would like to think was born already within me. But my mother definitely had a big part in keeping me driven. I believe the one thing someone can’t take from you is showing up for yourself and for your people. Being dependable is so important in any industry but especially hair and makeup. I find happiness in success and being busy, it gives me that energy and motivation I need to reach my next goal. I always want what’s next! Never stop dreaming.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Jossy Maness and I have been in the hair and makeup industry for 10 years this year (crazy)! I got my start at a salon, called Trim where I trained under some of the best colorist and stylist to be successful behind the chair. I went onto assist the owner, Melanie Shelley, who is now my mentor of 10 years, who i have always looked up to and havr been inspired by. She’s an absolute trailblazer. Melanie works on sets doing hair and make up for Artist and I knew that’s exactly where I wanted to be, I got extremely lucky to train under her and still get to be her right hand man when she needs me which got me into the agency that I am now with AMAX, I built my own portfolio doing test shoots with local creatives building those relationships not only with models, but photographers and videographers, as well as fellow Hair and Makeup Artist and Wardrobe stylist. Having a sense of community and working together definitely helps bring dreams to fruition.
I’ve gotten the honor to work with so many amazing country, christian, and pop artists over the years. It will never get old getting a call that you’re doing someone’s hair make up that you grew up listening to on the radio.
As far as 2024 goes, I’m very excited to meet and work with new artist bring fresh and fun looks to all of the award shows and red carpets this year, and I hope taking more people under my wing and training them as well, and giving younger stylist the opportunities I was lucky enough to get when I was getting my start!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
When starting out be the yes person! Take the opportunities, take jobs that seem scary, and if you feel you are not ready for them you are!
I believe in the power of manifesting, with the right amount of hard work and dedication plus manifesting there is nothing you can’t reach in this world. The best is yet to come.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I don’t wanna say they forced me to show up, because I have always showed up for myself, but they definitely gave that extra push, and instilled me with qualities to never make excuses. Always show up on time, always introduce yourself, be respectful, and most importantly BE yourself. There’s no one else like you, and I’ve always loved to stand out and be my authentic self, they fully encouraged that.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Jossymanessbeauty
- Facebook: Jossy maness
Image Credits
Daniel chaney Jenna Murray Hannah Burton
