We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Keisha Mitchell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Keisha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
So, about 8 years ago I worked at a job doing roadside assistance and I hated it but the money was great. I also worked part time at a beauty salon. Working at the beauty salon brought me so much happiness, but I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to survive just off the salon alone because I didn’t really have enough clientele. So every day from Monday to Friday, I will go to my full-time job and then directly after I would drive an hour to get to my part-time job. At my full-time job the people there were so mean and didn’t really care about their employees, but I continue to just do it because it was paying my bills. Then one day I had enough I called my mom crying and she told me to take a risk and step out on faith. I did exactly that. I quit my full time and went full time at the beauty salon. Through promotions, flyers, and walk ins I was able to build a good clientele. Taking that risk really showed me that I could do whatever I set my mind to do and 8 years later I’ve been able to have a great clientele in 3 different states.
Keisha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Well hello my name is Keisha and I’m the owner of The Kei’s To Hair, LLC. I specialize in all braid, loc, & twist styles.
I actually started when I was young like 13/14 because my mom was a hairstylist. She braided and cut hair. I didn’t have the passion as she did at that time, but I liked doing it because it was cool to me. So, then one day, my mom decided that she would let me take a few of her clients (the ones that we’re cool with it) and make a few dollars along the way. Once I seen how satisfied people were and the little money I was getting, I told myself this is what I wanted to do in life. Fast forward to March 2016, I decided to quit my full-time job, step out on faith, and become a full-time hairstylist.
A few things that I believe set me apart from other stylist is that I’m consistent with my styles, I provide everything needed for appointment, I’m professional ALWAYS, and I have great movie choices( my clients always tell me that lol).
I am the most proud that I have built a great clientele from the very bottom. There were moments where I felt like giving up, but the happiness and the feeling that my clients have once they get out my chair kept me going.
I want my current clients to know that I really appreciate them for allowing me to add to the beauty they already have.
To my future clients let’s make art together!
I will also like my current and future clients to know that I’m dependable, I listen to what your vision is, and always learning the newer trends.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
I think what helped me was a few things. Of course referrals from clients but also Instagram. Hashtags are everything nowadays. I’m also very old school, I still make flyers and pass them out in beauty supply stores. I also have a very great partner ( my mom) who also pass them out for me.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One lesson that I had to learn in this beauty industry is that all money is not good money, and every client is not for you. There was a time when I first became full-time, and I was just pretty much doing anyone hair for a little bit of nothing. I was not charging people what I thought I was worth with the quality of service I was providing and eventually I start to feel like I was doing a disservice to myself. I would service clients that would use that to their advantage and I eventually had to learn that I would never grow if I continue to lower my standards.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thekeistohair.as.me/schedule.php
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekeistohairllc?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/keisham89?fbclid=PAAaYGFDRfovUAZmNalGrMxxPPZoc9wVfBKyDts-Des9mxbgWxcW2D-mQhjHQ_aem_AcmUc3irhPfemqXrp9PhSQHHboRCLZ5j8sw5EeLw190hCtdiBe_MNS2swqmr_78U03A
Image Credits
Credit to Keisha Mitchell