Gladys Jimenz 
Entreprenuer

Gladys Altagracia Jimenez came to the United States in January 1995 from the Dominican Republic, where she was a resident of Castanuelas, Monte Cristi. She is the daughter of Agustina Jimenez and Julio Pascal and comes from a working and business-oriented family.

Gladys completed her primary and secondary education in Castanuelas and always aspired to further her studies, initially planning to pursue technical training and then university. Her passion for beauty began early, with her first beauty class being by correspondence. At twelve, Gladys started washing hair in a local beauty salon, initially hiding this from her parents. Eventually, they sent her to the capital to study beauty, where she faced challenges but remained determined. She later attended a prestigious academy called Miss Key, although financial difficulties made it tough for her family. Gladys shifted her focus to executive secretarial studies at O&M University in the capital and began working in various banking institutions.

She married the father of her three daughters, Anibelka, Indhira, and Julisa, and relied heavily on her mother’s support in raising her children. Drawing on her work experiences, Gladys began managing her finances through savings and bank loans, eventually investing in her passion for beauty. She opened her beauty salon, GlaJime, which created jobs for her community and family in the Dominican Republic.

Gladys also ventured into the check cashing business, but due to safety concerns and rising crime, she decided to close it. Seeking better opportunities for her daughters, Gladys moved to the United States, splitting her time between the Dominican Republic and the U.S. She worked in various jobs, including in Manhattan, the Bronx, and at several beauty salons.

Despite facing a health setback with a nerve injury, she continued working, determined not to be a burden on the state. Gladys's journey led her to work at notable salons in Harlem, Manhattan, Newark, and Jersey City. She eventually opened her own salon in Jersey City amid the challenges following the Twin Towers disaster. Gladys’s resilience and dedication were evident as she commuted daily from Manhattan to Jersey City, ensuring her business thrived.

Grateful for the support of the Jersey City community, Gladys remains dedicated to her work and to helping others, both locally and back in Santo Domingo. She leaves a legacy of perseverance, community support, and hard work to her three daughters, granddaughters, and grandson.