Today we’d like to introduce you to Destini French

Hi Destini, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I’m originally from Los Angeles, California when I got recruited to play basketball here, I thought there was gonna be at least someone to do my hair in Montana. I was wrong and I had to teach myself how to braid my hair. Years later, after our graduated college, I was eating at a restaurant and a server asked me who did my hair when I responded that I did it myself. She asked if I could do her hair and that’s what sparked this idea of doing hair in the first place. Two years later, after growing a brand just doing hair in my basement salon as a side hustle, I discovered that hair is a passion that I wanted to pursue. So in the fall of 2020 I quit my 9 to 5 forever and went to cosmetology school and in January 2022. I started in a real official salon.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

The road has been surprisingly smooth. It’s been such a testament of trust in myself, and in my growing skill. I hustle for information so hard because there’s no one in my state that can train me to do what I do and people are now coming to me expecting me to provide them a service of quality and I like to be prepared for everything so I would say that’s probably been one of the hardest struggles is my biggest competition is myself.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?

So after spending five years growing Cultured Roots MT, I got the opportunity to expand my salon and open up The Cultured Community Center. I brought in a couple of my business besties and in March 20 24 an opportunity for obtaining a commercial space came available and in July 2024 I got the keys to the space and then August 2024. I opened The Cultured Community Center by the grace of God.

The Cultured Community Center is really inspired by the fact that I wanted to create a safe place for people of all different backgrounds to come together and find connection in the community. I also wanted to bring together other businesses that support peoples image and identity and brand and so therefore I brought in Leanna, who is an amazing photographer and slid into my DM‘s years ago because she wanted to work together and we have been work wives ever since but now this is the first time that we get to work with each other and she opened her first studio Joy Photography Studio.

I also brought in my longtime client and friend Cydney, Who is a wonderful esthetician And truly such a light in this world. And I’ve been trying to work with her for a few years because I love her and also she is another black woman business owner, and I’m always trying to curate black spaces in Montana And also, she is a wonderful Service provider and educator For all her clients which is aligned with my business values. So Salicylic Cyd Also joined us!

The third part of the business is the community room, which is in the back of all of our spaces. To go for this room to really be a flexible open small intimate event space. Whether you want to host a workshop or host the yoga class, This is the space for you at a low-cost because in Bozeman everything cost a whole lot of money and it’s unreasonable for people who might be starting out or might be a nonprofit or just regular people who don’t have $300 to spend on a space for an hour or two.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?

The thing that matters most to me is showing up and being the best version of yourself every day. I think it’s important to hold space for yourself and allow yourself to grow and heal from past traumas and fill your cup with things that make you happy and feel alive. And then I think you’re able to hold space for others in a better way and that’s how I live my life And it seems to be pretty well

Contact Info:

• Website: www.the culturedcommunitycenter.com
• Instagram: Cultured community center
• Facebook: Cultured roots mt
• Other: https://www.culturedrootsmt.com

Image Credits

Leanna Joy Photography