Taking care of mental health is crucial for business owners, as challenges in this area can affect their entrepreneurial journey. Jai-Leta Colvard, the founder of Just Jai Wear, knows from experience how mental health impacts entrepreneurship. Here’s a closer look at her story in this week’s Small Business Spotlight.
**What the Business Does:**
Just Jai Wear provides stylish tummy control and heated fitness apparel.
**Business Niche:**
The company supports an important cause by empowering the community to support mental health through its apparel.
**How the Business Got Started:**
Jai-Leta Colvard began her business to support her personal health journey. Diagnosed with hypertension in 2014, she wanted to start a workout regimen that empowers women to feel and look good while achieving positive results.
**Biggest Win:**
The business scored major partnerships, including being featured as a top producer in Macy’s Atlanta in 2019, which led to further opportunities in Macy’s in LA and San Francisco. This exposure solidified a partnership with the LPGA in 2023.
**Biggest Challenge:**
In 2020, Jai-Leta faced significant mental health challenges after losing her grandparents and best friend. She had to step away from her business, but thanks to her mom supporting her with a year’s worth of Shopify fees, she was able to keep the business afloat.
**Biggest Risk:**
After a year away, re-launching the business was a significant risk. Post-graduation from a mental health facility, she wasn’t sure how her relaunch would be received. Nonetheless, she discovered many others faced similar struggles and created a non-profit to provide financial support for those dealing with mental health challenges.
**Lesson Learned:**
A key lesson for Jai-Leta is the importance of addressing mental health challenges promptly. Reflecting on her journey, she believes that seeking help earlier could have saved her much turmoil and preserved her business sooner.
**Favorite Quote:**
Jai-Leta is inspired by Maya Angelou’s words: people may forget what you said or did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.
