Meet Yesenia Carrasquillo

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yesenia Carrasquillo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Yesenia , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Growing up I was always the bigger girl, and in the 90’s thick girls wasn’t the norm, so I felt as a big girl I always had to hold my self at a higher standard because everyone else wasn’t and that’s what developed my confidence. Coming from a Hispanic/carribean household your family will tell your fat, you need to loose weight, so you gotta have tough skin because that can either make you or break you! That made me ! It was like yes I’m s big girl but I’m not ugly so wats next… I would tell myself you are that girl way before Instagram even existed I knew I was going to be great! I can be in a room full of beautiful women and I’m still that one beautiful woman that’s different than the rest! I had to believe that first before anyone else seen that in me! I had to be my biggest cheerleader so when others weren’t cheering I didn’t get discouraged! I would say that’s what built my confidence and my self esteem! You are the baddest girl even on your worst day don’t ever forget that ..

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a master braider and braids educator located in Orlando, Fl. I specialize in all braid styles and festival braid styles! I also teach braid classes all over the United States . Every year I have a braid tour where I visit different cities and host different braid classes so the girls can BOSS UP! I also visit different EDM festivals as well to braid . I also own my own products collection. Currently one of my most popular product is our famous growth oil called Braid Juice! It is the best oil for hair growth and nourishing the scalp ! I currently have a braid studio in Orlando fl so make sure you come visit us and find us on Instagram @thebraidloungeorlando

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I would say my top three qualities on this journey is , courage, strength, resilience! On any journey you have to have the courage to start and put yourself out there ! You have to have the strength to keep going even when your tired, even when you don’t want to be disciplined you have to have the strength to wake up everyday and believe in a vision only you can see! You have to be resilient because life is going to life but you have to keep going! If your going to take a break everytime something happens in life you will never get to the top !

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

I talk to god! I get on my knees and I talk to god and put all my faith in him. I call my mom and my sister and they pray for me as well. I’m not the most Christian person but my faith is huge. There is no way I got where I’m at if I didn’t include him especially when I’m overwhelmed. I’ve lost it all a couple of times and got back 10x more everytime. If it wasn’t for my faith I wouldn’t keep going I would’ve gave up a long time ago but everytime god shows me I was made for this and he will always make a way for me to come back stronger.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Braidedby_jessy
• Facebook: Braided By Jessy
• Youtube: Braided By Jessy

Image Credits

Black Photo Studio