The Power of Friendship
Hey. Busco, that's the OG. Hey. Jerry. Busco, that's the OG.
Jamie:Yeah. Yeah. Jay. Busco, that's the OG. Yeah.
Jamie:For sure. Yep. Welcome back to the Real Joy podcast. I'm your host, The Real Joy. And today, I have with me Jamie Busico, Busico on Live, doula, mother, wife, the phenomenon.
Jamie:Life. All the things. All the things. Kalani's godmother. Okay.
Jamie:Yep. Yep. Okay? But, yes, we have her here, and I can't wait for y'all to get into why we're here, you know, our story, our journey to this point now. So I know I went to Wheelock because my mom worked there, so I would never have known about that school at all.
Jamie:It was, like, a predominantly white school. So, actually, I never thought about, like, how did you get to Wheelock College? Like
Jamie:Whew. Such a journey. Oh, yeah. So I'll tell you how I ended up in Boston. So I was in grad school at Southern here in New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University, and I just graduated with my MBA, master's in, business administration.
Jamie:And I started working as a government contractor, for the US Navy up in Groton. Right? Yeah. Yeah. Right?
Jamie:I had a whole security clearance, like, I
Jamie:wanted hot dog. I know that. Hot dog industry. Oh, yeah.
Jamie:Low fees.
Jamie:Okay. I mean,
Jamie:I was a OG before I knew I was OG. Right? Yeah. So I had I was working for I was a government contractor, and then I was also in a horrible situation, a relationship with Madison's father, my oldest child. And so I was still trying to, like, figure out life, figure out my career, figure out my personal life, but I knew I had to get away from him.
Jamie:Right?
Jamie:Okay.
Jamie:And so I was just like my college best friend, my undergrad, I went to Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, which is where I met my college, best friend, Jen.
Thee Real Joy:Okay.
Jamie:Right? And so Jen had, was born and raised in Boston. She moved back to Boston. She was working at Mount Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts.
Jamie:Okay.
Jamie:So she was just like, oh, there's this opening, on campus for a resident director. And I was just like, yeah. Because I gotta
Jamie:I gotta get back here.
Jamie:Yeah. I gotta go. I actually don't care what I'm doing, but I gotta I gotta go. And so I applied, interview, I got that position. Wow.
Jamie:Right? So it's at that point, I literally packed everything I could in my little red Pontiac, okay, and drove to Boston, got settled, situated. I actually stayed on Jen's couch until my apartment on campus was ready. Right? And so until my apartment was ready, Madison stayed here.
Jamie:She was one. Right? Now Madison's almost 20. She was one, and she stayed with my parents for that summer
Jamie:Okay. Until
Jamie:I got situated.
Jamie:Good stuff. Yeah. Right. Wow.
Jamie:Stories sound a little familiar?
Jamie:I'm like goosebumps. Like, oh,
Jamie:okay. I'm listening. Right. And so once I got situated, my apartment was ready. I was like, alright.
Jamie:I'm good to go. Madison moved with me. I was at Mount Ida College as a resident director, judicial affairs. I did a whole bunch of stuff, for, like, four years maybe. And then I started getting, interested in diversity affairs, diversity inclusion and equity, multicultural affairs, all that good stuff.
Jamie:And that's when I saw there was a position open at Wheelock College
Jamie:Okay.
Jamie:Right in Boston, Fenway. And so I applied, interviewed. I believe I no. I definitely met Ivan during my interview. I think he was one of the students that interviewed me.
Jamie:Yes. You know how they have, like, some students, then they have the staff, then they have faculty? I believe Ivan was one of the students that interviewed me Oh, wow. Position. So that's how I originally met Ivan.
Jamie:Okay.
Jamie:Right? And so I started working at Wheelock in 2011. And my position my starting position at Wheelock was, like, program director for diversity and campus programming or something like that. So that's what I started off as. And then over time, I advocated for a different role, different position, promotion, all that good stuff.
Jamie:She was on a lot. Yeah. Under that title.
Jamie:Yeah. With the help of y'all, which we'll get there. And so I became the director of multicultural affairs
Jamie:Wow. That
Jamie:we like. So that's how I ended up in Boston, but I'm originally born and raised here in Connecticut and live in Connecticut.
Jamie:So I remember, I didn't know the history of first of all, that's crazy to connect the dots to that. Wow.
Thee Real Joy:Yeah. We got to talk about that.
Jamie:Yeah. We are.
Jamie:But, so I remember Ivan being excited about you coming. Mhmm. And I was just like, okay. Cool. Like, who is this?
Jamie:So we come out to the riverway, and you're, like, getting out of the car. It
Jamie:was my first day.
Jamie:Yes. Your first day, you're, like, getting out of the car. Yes. And I remember just, like, hey. I think we had just gone to a car accident or something like that.
Jamie:So you were, like, right?
Jamie:Yes. Yeah. Yeah. I had just got into a car accident maybe, like, a week before my start date or a few days maybe. A few days.
Jamie:And I
Jamie:had a cast on.
Jamie:Yes. So I remember, like, already, like, oh, like, hey.
Jamie:You know, I actually remember what I had on that day. I had on, like, this blue floral dress
Jamie:Uh-huh.
Jamie:And Manny was helping me with my bags.
Jamie:Manny, I remember because I met Manny then too. Yes. And I remember we just walked you in. We were, like, introducing you to, like, everybody. We went to your office.
Jamie:Yes. And I'm trying to think, like, what made me keep coming to your office. Like, what made me gravitate towards you? But I'm thinking that now that was the transition period when my mom was leaving Wheelock, and then, like, you were just, like, this nurturing, understanding. Like, you were just very, like, cool.
Jamie:Right. Like, you know how some people, when you meet them, you're trying to, like, figure out their temperament or, like, I feel like you were always just, like, what you see is what you try, which was like really good for me because you know how I like there's a lot of Too much bouncy bouncy. I can't do it. So like right away, I just like connected with you. Right.
Jamie:Yeah. I think it was a combination of things. Right? I think, for one, it was my role, right, in multicultural affairs. And then you two were also heavily involved in Black Student Union and Alana or, yeah, Alana, right, which was a multicultural group.
Jamie:Yeah.
Jamie:And you guys just had a heavy presence on campus. Right? So I think it was that. And wait. We're talking about Wheelock.
Jamie:Right? Very white. Predominantly white institution. Right? Not only student wise, faculty and staff.
Jamie:Faculty and staff.
Jamie:How many, Right? Yeah. Aside from your mom and you guys, really, everybody, all the black students look to your mom
Jamie:Yeah.
Jamie:Right, as the that familiar face, the person for them on campus.
Jamie:You took that role.
Jamie:Yeah. You took that role. And it was your mom's last year. I can't remember. She did the whole year or semester.
Jamie:She did a sum because in my story, I keep saying she didn't even so it couldn't have been that long. I think she was just there in time enough to meet you.
Jamie:Yes. Because I didn't have that much time with her on campus. Yeah. It was very short. And then she had ended up getting another role back home.
Jamie:Yes. And she went back home. Mhmm.
Jamie:So I think it was all of that. Right?
Jamie:Yeah.
Jamie:Familiar phase. And then we just, like, became locked in immediately.
Jamie:Yeah.
Jamie:Immediately. It just became so much more than you guys' role on campus and just a familiar phase. Like, we truly were locked in, and I don't even think you guys understand what y'all did for me. I got to that campus.
Jamie:No. Because I think you're we were so I saw the value in you because I know that there were so many professors. Like, I don't know. How would you describe me in college? I wasn't, like, a bad, like No.
Jamie:Student, but, like, I was just, like, rebellious. Faculty and staff would come to you if they had, like, a issue or, like, something like, they will always try to find you to, like, talk to me or to try to, like, guide me.
Jamie:Right. I think you were just like every other student, right, who was trying to not only find their voice, but how to use it. Right?
Jamie:Yeah. Okay.
Jamie:So it it's it wasn't too you it just looked different.
Jamie:Yeah. You know
Jamie:what I'm saying? You were just gonna say what you felt. It was gonna be said. Yeah. No.
Jamie:Unapologetically. For sure. Right? The thing is gonna be said, but what you hadn't figured out yet was, like, how to say it, right, in different spaces and what that looks like.
Jamie:How to move on after it's said.
Jamie:Exactly. How to move on after it's said. Yeah. Right? And I think that's where, eventually, that speaks to also the role I played in your life.
Jamie:Right? So the because we had to figure each other out. It's just like, alright, Ev. So you gotta do this. You gotta do that.
Jamie:You be like, but Jade, like, this person said a, b, and c. This is how I felt and I ain't like it. So now what? You know what I'm saying?
Jamie:And I think I let you in and I trusted you because you always validated how I felt. You always no matter if you didn't understand, I think it was a thing of, like, okay, Eb. I get that. And, no, that person shouldn't have said that to you, but this is how we gotta go about things. So I think
Jamie:gotta manage these people.
Jamie:That's that's your thing always. This is how we gotta manage these people. And I'm like, I don't wanna manage people though.
Jamie:Because this is a
Jamie:lot of work. Yeah. I can't I'm like, we just can't get rid of them. Yeah.
Jamie:Right. Right.
Jamie:Why we gotta deal with them? Right. Right. Right. And that plays it to today, our dynamic.
Jamie:But yes.
Jamie:Exactly. But yeah. That so I was there for your last three years.
Jamie:Yes. My last three years. Yep. And then I remember senior year, it's just so funny how you say how you got to Wheelock in your transition to Boston and everything you were going through because I feel like that was also a connection with us because I think you saw firsthand, the dynamic between me and Ivan For sure. And how it was starting to shift in a not so positive manner.
Jamie:Mhmm. And I think that you you know how someone could be, like, a silent presence there? So, like, you wouldn't say a lot, but you definitely had this, like, this stance of, like, protection. Like, you didn't have to say anything, but it was just felt. Yeah.
Jamie:And I remember just coming to you a lot. I remember you just, like, always finding your way, like, around me or, like, calling things out or just saying different things. Then I remember when I got pregnant, you were one of the first people that I told.
Jamie:Right.
Jamie:And I remember, like, telling you and I think I said it in episode one, like, you could tell Jamie, like, the house is on fire. And she's like, okay. So where's the hose? Where's the this? Where's and everybody's, like, running around screaming.
Jamie:And she's like, it's okay. Like, we're gonna all get out.
Jamie:Get there.
Jamie:Everybody pack a bag. Right. We're gonna be good. And you're looking at her like
Jamie:The things that you value most.
Jamie:Yes. So I think when I came and I told you those things, you were just like, okay. Like, you didn't make me feel crazy. You didn't make me feel scared. You like, I remember picking a baby name.
Jamie:Mhmm. Like, baby names in your office. I remember did. But I do remember in that, right, you telling me, like, this isn't gonna be easy. Right.
Jamie:Like, have you thought about day care? Have you thought about this? Like, you kinda was, like, trying to give me that glimpse of reality. Because Jamie says all the time, and this is, like, this is, like, the power of having someone around you who, like, knows you. She can, like, see in me when, like, I'm physically somewhere.
Jamie:Yeah. But, like, mentally, like, I'm somewhere else.
Jamie:Days. Yeah.
Jamie:I'm, like, in a daze. And I think that for you being able to notice that, it's just, like, so powerful the way that you handle. You know what I mean? So Right. I think knowing that, we just started gaining that trust.
Jamie:For sure. And I made you Kehlani's godmother.
Jamie:Yes. Instantly.
Jamie:Instantly. Like, it's graduated. I was the same. Like, it was just like a known thing. Like, okay.
Jamie:You're Kehlani's godmother. Right. And I remember no matter where I was in life. Yeah. Like, there's so many things I go back and tell her today, like and I'm like, oh, so when I and she's like, I was on the phone with you when that happened.
Jamie:Mhmm. Like, you called me. I remember that story. And I'm like, I called you? She's like, you called me for everything.
Jamie:Everything. Like, even, like, intimate stuff. Yeah. Like Like Man. Like, the first time.
Jamie:So after because me and I have never been together. We were like each other's first and everything like that. So, like, the first time after that when I, like, sexually engaged with somebody Mhmm. I got in my car and I called Jamie. And I was like, I just had sex with a man.
Jamie:But she was like,
Jamie:he was a mess.
Jamie:I was like, I don't know how to describe it. It was like a man. And she's like, yep. And like It was like Mhmm. Yep.
Jamie:But like, that just shows how, like
Jamie:Yeah. I really yeah.
Jamie:Like, I just came to you with whatever, and it's so funny now because, like, people will say to her, well, I bet you don't know this. I bet you don't know this about her. I bet you didn't tell her that. And she's like, no. Ev tells me
Jamie:For sure.
Jamie:Everything, the good, the bad, the ugly, the like, it's like just a place where you could just be wrong.
Jamie:Right.
Jamie:Like, you know?
Jamie:Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. And I don't think you guys understood, especially you, what you the role you played in my life. Right?
Jamie:So you have this. Like, I was this certain person to you. But when I was at Wheelock, that was, like, probably some of the worst years of my whole entire professional life.
Jamie:Yeah.
Jamie:Like, it was horrible. And if I didn't have you like I said, you became my work study student, but it was so much more than that. If I didn't have you, there's no way I would have survived
Thee Real Joy:Yeah.
Jamie:Working at that institution. There's just no way. And remember, like, I was still, what, in my late twenties? I'm still trying to figure out.
Jamie:For sure. Now that I think back to that, that's, like, crazy too. Like
Jamie:I was in my late twenties.
Jamie:And it was just a lot being thrown your way. I feel like like like and just talk about, like, how you got to Boston too. So you're still navigating being a single mother Yes. In a place where it's not familiar to you in this role where people are literally, like, playing in your face the definition of, like, like, they were, like, telling her, like, all these things and just try to, like, alienate you, I feel like, and just, like Absolutely. It was just so much.
Jamie:Gas lighting.
Jamie:Gas lighting. What was?
Jamie:You didn't have that term then?
Jamie:But, oh, we did not have that term then. But what? When you go back and look at it, it's like, wow. And I remember it's so crazy because I remember them having this protection. Like, I knew you as a professional and you couldn't say certain things
Thee Real Joy:Yep.
Jamie:And you couldn't step to people a certain way. And you but, like
Jamie:I knew that you were untouched as a student. Because at the end of the day, us, we work for y'all. We work for the students. Yeah. And so for sure
Jamie:Yeah. At a
Jamie:certain point
Jamie:It was like, all bets are off.
Jamie:All bets are off.
Jamie:Don't say nothing to her. Mhmm. Don't look but it's so crazy because I remember a whole baby shower being planned for Jamie.
Jamie:Yes.
Jamie:They came to me and asked me what kind of cake she likes, everything. But then I'm walking by. No. Matter of fact, they asked me to walk her to the place. You were distracting.
Jamie:I was distracting. And I didn't even know that they were throwing her baby shower. Right. They and I was just like, oh, like and I remember, like, low key not being invite. Like, it was like this thing.
Jamie:I think I high key.
Jamie:High key. Yeah. Like this it was just like this weird energy. How do
Jamie:you go to the person, right, that knows everything about me, the closest person to me, closest student to me on this campus, ask them to basically help you plan the thing, but not telling you what the thing is and then telling you to distract me from the thing and then telling you to walk me to the thing.
Jamie:But Yeah.
Jamie:We get to the thing and you're like,
Jamie:oh, surprise. Hey.
Jamie:Like, that was wild.
Jamie:So yes. I I don't know.
Jamie:They hated our relationship, though.
Jamie:But that's been, like, a theme. A theme.
Jamie:Oh, that's such a theme. Oh.
Jamie:And I really don't remember, like, this transition period. Like you said, how we are now was really how it was from the first day. Like,
Jamie:Locked in instantly. Locked in. No switching up. No no nothing.
Jamie:Yeah. I, like, babysat for you. Like, I remember you being so comfortable, like, even your nephew. Like, I was, like, I was just, like, automatically, like, in your family, which is crazy too, like, when you think about the story. And you just shared your family with me, so I really think that from day one, I just appreciated the bond.
Jamie:And then, like, I think it formed this sort of dynamic for us Mhmm. Which is so hard. So y'all hear me say OG a lot. Like, I call her OG, which I was before we, like, started filming, I was like, what does that even mean? Right?
Jamie:You know, you, like, sit down and you ask yourself, where did that come from? What does that mean? I think so often we find ourselves trying to, like, explain the dynamic to people. And I think I said in one episode, I was like, one day, it's like a mother. One day, it's like a sister.
Jamie:One day, it's like a best friend. Mhmm. Mhmm. One day, it's like strictly a business partner. Like, it's so many things, but it's just like this OG.
Jamie:Like, I don't know. Like, it's just OG. Like
Jamie:One day you just started calling me that. I was like, oh.
Jamie:It fits.
Jamie:It fits. I was like, I like that.
Jamie:I think we were, like, playing around or
Jamie:jumping around. You was like, you the OG. You the OG. I was like, I like that.
Jamie:So everything is like, oh, that's the OG.
Jamie:That's the OG.
Jamie:Right. And it just stuck.
Jamie:Yeah. For sure.
Jamie:So what would you say about our dynamic? Like, how do you feel, like, from your perspective, I would say?
Jamie:Yeah. Definitely. I think our dynamic, some days, it's so much fun, and it's like we can't be serious at all. Some days we come in and we're both in our moods, and we just automatically know, here's my corner. Here's your corner.
Jamie:We're gonna stay in our corners until we feel better and we come around. But our vibe is just, like, so on point that we already know what it is, and we don't even have to speak about
Jamie:it. It is so funny because not that I want people to know the inside like, the intimacy of the Right. Relationship or friendship, but I often tell people, like, no. We argue.
Jamie:Oh, yeah. Yeah. For
Jamie:sure. Like, we get into it. It's just, like, number one, we don't display it. Yeah. But also, it's just the way kinda like what you said, like, we'll have our differences and we'll say what needs to be said.
Jamie:And then, like, we'll go our separate ways. And then if we see each other, we're like, hey.
Jamie:Right.
Jamie:No one's like, hey. You need
Jamie:a ride home?
Jamie:You done for today? You got clients tomorrow? Like because it's so interesting. Like, we see each other every day.
Jamie:Right.
Jamie:Every day from the beginning of the day to end of the day. So I just think that that plays into the dynamic as well. And it's just so interesting. Like she said, one person will be, like, high, one person will be low. Right.
Jamie:And then you bring the other person, like, it's just such a equal balance. That's true. And I love that.
Jamie:Yeah. And I think too, I think we have been actually forced to think about our dynamic and figure it out because so many people ask about it and want to know and are so fascinated by it. Intrigued. So intrigued. And so it has actually forced us to, like, really think about it and define it even when we didn't want to.
Jamie:You know what I'm saying?
Jamie:And it would be weird. I feel like for people, like, we'll, like, go to they're like, okay. So what are y'all? And then we'll be like, we don't know. Right.
Jamie:And then, like, we'll describe it like, so y'all friends? And we're like, no. And then, like, so y'all are, like, sisters? No. And it's like some days where, like, I feel like your child.
Jamie:You know what I mean? Like, there's some like, the way you're protective of me Mhmm. The way, like, you motivate me, like, the potential you see in me and, like, you beat it out of me. Like, beat it out of me. But it's funny because I was thinking yesterday, we were having this conversation just last night, and she asked me, oh, do you think about going back to school?
Jamie:And I was like, yeah. You know, I think about it, but I'm a little insecure being in academic settings and blah blah blah. And, you know, like, when you're talking to someone, usually, like, a firm would be like, no. For sure. Like, I get it.
Jamie:And she was like, yeah. But no. Like, I hear you, but, like, you're gonna have to push your way through that because you need to get on the other side of that. And I, like, reflected because I knew we were doing this episode and, like, just little things like that. Sometimes people don't feel comfortable doing that for you because of however they I I don't wanna offend this person.
Jamie:I don't wanna over talk for them. But it's like, I think that both of us kinda find our way out of those spaces and still hold ourselves accountable to make sure that we give each other that feedback no matter
Jamie:Absolutely.
Jamie:Because it's out of love. You know? I think that we
Jamie:can both understand that.
Jamie:And we can both feel that because there's been times where we don't agree. Mhmm.
Jamie:And it's not always gonna feel good. It doesn't always
Jamie:always gonna feel good. Know. It doesn't And it's and I love I think a lot of times with us, we'll have these, like, conversations, and it might not be finalized that night, but then we'll come around. And you do this a lot. You'll be like, I thought about something you said, and I'll forget that we even had the conversation.
Jamie:You'll bring it up. And I'm like, not dang you was listening, but, like, dang you was listening. Like, for sure. You'll say it, like, verbatim of what I said. I'm like Absolutely.
Jamie:That's a good feeling to know that, like, you pour into someone the same way that they pour into you. Yeah. And I think that that's huge too in our dynamic. Absolutely. Like, it's so balanced.
Jamie:Right.
Jamie:And it's funny that you, said that so often you feel like the child because I feel like as of recently, I feel like the child.
Jamie:K? These past two years, I would say Yes. I was gonna talk about that too when we talk about our dynamic. I think that's why people get so frustrated because we cannot put a, like, finalized Label. Label on it because, like you said, we'll have seasons.
Jamie:Right?
Thee Real Joy:Mhmm.
Jamie:And I feel like in this season, I have been more like
Jamie:Protective. Like, no. That's the OG. Yeah. I'm not about to play with the OG.
Jamie:And even telling you. Yeah. Like, I'm not gonna let people play with you. Right. You need to stop letting people play with you.
Jamie:Exactly. That's what I said.
Jamie:I feel like the child. You're definitely the mother. So what? The mother of lately. Right?
Jamie:Where you're just like, no. Come on. Get yourself together.
Jamie:And we're not doing that.
Jamie:We're not doing that. You're letting these people play in your face. I'm a need you to, like, fix that.
Jamie:Or do you want me to say something?
Jamie:Right. I'm like, no. No. No. No.
Jamie:I want me to.
Jamie:Right. Look. The people not ready for the real joy at all.
Jamie:Because I was saying something.
Jamie:I'm like, okay. Okay. Okay. I'm gonna get it I'm gonna get it together.
Jamie:Give me some time. Right.
Jamie:Chill. Chill. Chill. Let me figure it out.
Jamie:And I think that goes back into the, like, where we started versus where we are now. Mhmm. I feel like we started in the role where I was, like, the student. Right? Yes.
Jamie:And I remember back in the day, I called you a mentor. That was, like, the the word. Like, that's my mentor. And then it was Kehlani's godmother. Yes.
Jamie:And then but all these things started being stacked. Like, it wasn't just one thing. It's like, okay. And this and this. Right.
Jamie:So when I look about that evolution
Jamie:Yes.
Jamie:The evolution Right. Of the relationship is just so interesting and, like, how we kinda found our way to the real Joury Beauty and Lucy on Loc. Right. Which is interesting because, once again, people try to figure out that dynamic of, like, what is it? And it's funny because we went into it not realizing
Jamie:Where it was gonna take us
Jamie:for sure. And what it even was. Right. Like, you started out your business. Mhmm.
Jamie:You so you started your business in
Jamie:Twenty nineteen.
Jamie:Twenty '19. Right. And I didn't start until 2022.
Jamie:Twenty '20 '2.
Jamie:The like, July. And that wasn't even, like, official.
Jamie:Yeah.
Jamie:I don't but that was just me when I started taking on clients and, you know, let us say, getting your feet wet. You know? But I think that a lot of times when people see us and they see where we are now, I think people visualize in their head, okay, they sat down. They had this meeting.
Jamie:Right.
Jamie:They structured it. That you're gonna do this, and you're and it's like No. No. It kinda with everything, like, us just fell into place, like, a very natural flow.
Jamie:Yeah.
Jamie:And
Jamie:a lot of people assume that you're actually under me, and that was never a thing. That was never a thing. You know what I'm saying? In terms of, like, under my business. Yeah.
Jamie:Truth be told, who had their LLC first? It was the real door.
Jamie:But it's so funny, right, because, like, that stuff never like, even when you just said that, I never thought about, oh, I had my LLC before. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Yeah. I've never, like, thought about it like that or, like, oh, I was but it's just so funny how people we would have never came to that understanding if someone didn't push us to, like, look at it that way.
Jamie:Right. Right. Absolutely. You know
Jamie:what I mean? Because we just we operate in just such just, like, fluid, like, whatever. But Sure. When people make you see stuff, it's like,
Jamie:oh. Yeah. That did happen. For sure. Yeah.
Jamie:Yeah. Okay. And that's why I'm saying it's just, like, people assume that it's, like, one way. But in reality, it's just, like, this flow, this exchange, this, like, equal level of encouragement and motivation.
Jamie:Yeah.
Jamie:Because I don't know if I would've gotten my LLC. To be honest, like, it wasn't like, you know, yeah. I fell into this business, but I wasn't really thinking about Yeah. Where I am right now with it. You know, it was a side hustle.
Jamie:For sure.
Jamie:And so then you got yours, and I was just like,
Jamie:I need to get that to you. Yep. Yeah.
Jamie:I probably should get that.
Jamie:And I love that, like, I think a lot of times on social media, people will see something from someone and they'll get inspired, but they won't necessarily say it was Oh, yeah. This inspiration. Mhmm. But I love that. We'll say it all the time, like, I'll wear something.
Jamie:I'll be like, yeah. Remember when you wear boom boom boom? That's why I got this. Or she'll come in and be like, I ordered this because remember when you had that on? I wanted this.
Jamie:And I'm like but it's just such a like, oh, okay. Yep. Because we give each other that, like
Jamie:Props the recognition. Yeah.
Jamie:Absolutely. It's inspiring me to do that.
Jamie:Because why not?
Jamie:Why not?
Jamie:No. I'll I'll straight up tell you, oh, I like that about the order one. Oh, like
Jamie:why did
Jamie:you get to it?
Jamie:Why did you get me
Jamie:one? Right. Exactly.
Jamie:You could've got that for me. Right. But I definitely think and that goes back to the dynamic. I was thinking about this earlier. People, like, look at us and I feel like they think it's like a carbon copy.
Jamie:Right? Like, it's Jamie and then it's Ebony. And it's like if people only knew how different
Jamie:this. We are.
Jamie:But it's about sell we celebrate each other's differences, and I think that's why it works. And we're inspired sometimes by each other's differences. And I just think the way that we carry ourselves, yes, our style, but I I'll see, like, a little inspiration from me and a little inspiration from you. Like, it's just such a, like
Jamie:Yeah. Collaboration.
Jamie:I I don't know. It's just
Jamie:And the biggest thing we do is respect each other's differences. Yeah. For sure. We respect it. You're not trying to make me do a, b, and c.
Jamie:I'm not trying to make you do a, b, and c. We have our own perspectives, our own viewpoints. But like you said, we celebrate those differences. We use it to our advantages.
Jamie:I was about to say, because we like, okay, you into makeup.
Jamie:Right.
Jamie:Do my makeup, please. Like, you know what I'm saying? Sure. Okay. So when I need my makeup done, I'm going to you.
Jamie:Yeah. And I just think it's so Do
Jamie:you remember when I was interested in makeup at one point? I told that so
Jamie:I wasn't thinking about doing makeup. No. When I came I was. Yes. When I got to Connecticut, before you didn't even take did you take the Sister Walk class yet?
Jamie:You did.
Jamie:I did.
Jamie:But I don't think you was really like Into it like that. Into it like that. Mm-mm. So when I got here because that's why I started working at Ulta. Because remember I was like, I'm a get the discount.
Jamie:Exactly. I'm a
Jamie:give you the makeup. I'm
Jamie:a take these classes.
Jamie:I'm a take and then I started watching the YouTube videos. And remember, at your house, every time you in the living room, I just could not get off the YouTube videos. Like
Jamie:On the big TV.
Jamie:On the big and I would and I am the one that fell into makeup. So I just think that's interesting too. But yeah. So funny. But it wasn't like, you stole the idea from me.
Jamie:I was like, I was like, now you do the makeup. Like, it was like, okay. Well How dare you? How dare you do the makeup. Right.
Jamie:I wanted to do the makeup. But yeah. And I think another thing too, people think they can, like, go to you about me.
Jamie:Oh, for sure.
Jamie:Like, get me in trouble. Hey.
Jamie:I'm a go tell Jamie.
Jamie:I'm a tell Jamie or I'm a or, like, they'll come to Jamie if they want me to, like, do something. They'll be, like, and Jamie will tell people. They're like, I don't control that girl. Like, there Ebony got a mind of her own and she gonna do what she wanna do. And she gets on my nerves sometimes.
Jamie:Like Yep. Like
Jamie:She be ready to Box all the way out. She don't even know it.
Jamie:No. I didn't know it. One time, y'all, we got into it and she gonna texting me, I should come over to your house and shake the shit out of you. And I'm like, what's my And then she
Jamie:didn't even respond and it made me even more I
Jamie:left her on red. She left me on red. Red received on. I was like this.
Jamie:Yep. So if I pull up
Jamie:Like, okay. Whatever.
Jamie:Whatever. But, yes,
Jamie:I think that's another funny thing, the dynamic, how it looks to other people because I say sometimes it's motherly. I think that people are like, okay. Well, I'm a sit on you. I'm a tell on you. I know who to go to.
Jamie:And I'm like, she know. Yeah. She know how I am. Like Yep. That ain't the one because she gonna tell you.
Jamie:Mhmm. And sometimes I'll be like, you think you shit? No? Okay.
Jamie:And that's another thing. Good. Like, when people think we're so alike, our temperament is so different. Yeah. Like, Jamie has to, like, bring me down a lot of times because I'm, like, on a hundred a lot.
Jamie:Yeah. Right.
Jamie:And I think You
Jamie:get there a lot faster than I do.
Jamie:I get there a lot faster. Mhmm.
Jamie:But When the OG is there?
Jamie:It's not coming back down.
Jamie:Oh, baby.
Jamie:So that's the balance, I think. Because when you do get there, I snap out of mine. I'm like
Jamie:You instantly.
Jamie:You I'm like, oh, okay. This is real. Like or like, you and then, like, we get, like, so caught up on different things, like, things that make you mad or whatever, I'll be like
Jamie:That's not even that serious.
Jamie:You mad over that? But then when I, like, you'll look at me like, okay, Elle. Like so it's just funny But
Jamie:we validate each other though.
Jamie:We do always validate ourselves.
Jamie:It, but we gonna validate. Make a little joke. Right. Like, you forced it.
Jamie:Yeah. Like, yeah. Well, she better quit playing. Right. She better relax, I guess.
Jamie:It's like Yeah. For sure. Like, okay. Let me know if, oh, okay. Like
Jamie:You good? Yeah.
Jamie:But I think that plays so much into our business, like Yes. How we Oh. Oh. And I can't wait until we're gonna get set in part two because there's just so many different, like, stories where we both it's so funny because what our what my clients do to me sometimes and vice versa, like, we'll be like, oh, no. That's just how so and so is.
Jamie:And we're like No. You want me? I'm like, no. No. No.
Jamie:No. No. It's okay. We're good. Everything's good.
Jamie:Yeah. It's funny because we are so much softer with our own clients. But me listening in on some of yours, I'm like
Jamie:Yeah.
Jamie:I don't have to walk over there and then vice versa. You like Jay.
Jamie:And I think it's validating too because in moments with our clients, I think that we're just we're we just become so used to it, I think. You know, like, so numb Yeah. To the treatment or so numb to that.
Jamie:Like you said, that's just how they
Jamie:are. Yeah. That's just how they are. Yeah. But when someone at Fresh Air, you're like, don't
Jamie:let her talk sound okay.
Jamie:And then, like, I think we'll go back and be like, yeah.
Jamie:Right. Right. Absolutely.
Thee Real Joy:For sure. So yeah.
Jamie:So in part two, we're gonna talk about our business, how we fell into it, how we work together versus how we don't work together, just different things like that. And, yes, I'll see you in part two. Thank you so much for tuning into the Real Joy podcast. I hope today's conversation brought you closer to finding your own joy and left you feeling inspired. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Jamie:If you like what you heard, share it with your circle. It might be just the thing that you need. Let's keep growing, glowing, and finding joy together. Until next time. Take care of yourself and remember to keep it relaxed, relatable, and real.
Jamie:See you soon.
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