We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Priscille Elizabeth a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Priscille , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

My journey with hair started simply—as something I did for myself and my family. As a former athlete, I used to style my teammates’ hair on game days, usually French braids. By the time I got to college, I had naturally become the go-to campus hairstylist. Hair wasn’t just a skill for me; it was a way to connect with others. I loved building relationships and making people feel good about themselves in the process.

Did I ever think about doing it professionally? Honestly, only for a moment. Coming from a Haitian household, hairstyling wasn’t seen as a reliable career path. The focus was on securing a traditional job that could “put food on the table.” I pursued a career in education and became a schoolteacher. Hair, at first, was just a hobby—a creative outlet I turned to on the side. But before I knew it, the “side hustle” began to take on a life of its own.

I began documenting everything. Sharing my work publicly led to increased visibility— from word of mouth to people booking with me directly. For me, having an idea has always meant executing it fully. In the beginning, it was a lot of trial and error. Back then, I called my business “Hair by Cille Doll.” But I had a bigger vision—I didn’t want to limit myself. I wanted to create a brand that could grow and represent more than just me, something inclusive and versatile. That’s when “Protect Yo’ Strands” was born while I was living in New York. The name took some thought (and a long list of ideas I crossed off), but it stuck. Along with it, I added the slogan: “Be Healthy, Be Creative, Be Empowered.” These words captured what I wanted my brand to embody: prioritizing healthy, protective hairstyles while encouraging self-expression and empowerment. It’s not just about hair—it’s about care, creativity, and community.

Having an idea to executing it, was anything but linear. The foundation I built led to outcomes that were unexpected yet somehow felt inevitable. By fully honing in my craft, what started as a hobby transformed into a passion. Turning that passion into Protect Yo’ Strands began with four key steps: 1) choosing the right brand name, 2) creating a website, 3) starting somewhere, and 4) documenting and sharing the work. It sounds simple, but the reality was and is challenging. I had to learn that perfection wasn’t the goal—getting started was. Growth and making adjustments would come as I evolved.

Looking back, I realize the details truly mattered. They were the seeds that grew into something much bigger. “Stay the course” isn’t just a cliché; it’s a mindset that guided me. From braiding my teammates’ hair, starting in an empty room at my parents’ house using a folding chair, to moving to another state and enrolling in cosmetology school, to saying yes to opportunities aligned with my vision—it was all part of the process. Each step built on the last.

Launching Protect Yo’ Strands brought a major shift in my life. My days looked completely different, packed with figuring out content creation, financial compliance, developing systems, and all the countless moving parts that come with running a business. It wasn’t easy—it was and is a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges, but every tedious moment was worth it. The growth and change weren’t just professional; they were deeply personal too.

Priscille , 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?

I think a lot of us can relate to the endless questions about hair: “What style should I try next?” “Should I cut it?” “Long or short braids?” “Bust down middle part or curls?” The beauty (and sometimes the headache) of hair is that there’s many options! That’s one of the many reasons I got into this industry—because like so many others, I’ve always been searching for answers about hair. What are the best products? What’s my hair type? How do I keep it healthy? These questions, combined with my education and hands-on experience, inspired me to create my business.

Transitioning from school teacher to cosmetologist, I had to quickly learn what that looked like from a business perspective. Many skills were transferrable like, consistency, mastering your craft, but learning the ins and outs of great customer service – all while keeping up with never ending learning curves can be a lot. One thing I’ve learned is this: talent might get you in the door, but professionalism keeps you booked and busy.

What sets me apart is the experience I provide to my clients. Yes, it’s about the hairstyles, but what I hear most from my repeat clients is how much they appreciate the comfortable, welcoming environment I create. Life can be chaotic, so when you’re in my chair, my priority is to give you a safe, relaxing space where you can unwind. I’m here to serve. Whatever you need, I’m happy to provide—and if I don’t have it yet, I’ll make it happen. Whether that’s a style that piqued your interest or a product that’s hard to find, I’ll go above and beyond to deliver. If there’s something outside my expertise, I’ll connect you with another stylist who can bring your vision to life. It’s about making sure your hair goals are met—no matter what.

I specialize in natural hair and work with clients to achieve healthier, stronger hair that they feel great about. While most of my clients are women, I’m proud to also work with men and children. No matter the client or the concern, my goal is to provide solutions that work for you. At the heart of it all, my brand is about meeting you where you are on your hair journey and empowering you to feel confident and beautiful every step of the way.
I value the relationships I’ve built through my work. It means so much to see a variety of people choose to sit in my chair, trusting me not just with their hair but also with the conversations and connections we share. The trust my clients give me and the insightful, inspiring talks we have motivate me to continue growing and improving. Everything we do at Protect Yo’ Strands is intentional.We didn’t curate a product line or expand our services just for the sake of it—it’s all about genuinely meeting the needs of our clients.

Moments that can’t be topped are seeing those final photos of a completed look and watching my clients leave with a boost of confidence. That glow of happiness makes it all worthwhile. While I have big aspirations for the future, I’m incredibly grateful for the flexibility and the amazing clients who make it so fulfilling to serve them. Their support is unmatched and I’m endlessly thankful.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Whew! Life has a way of throwing some serious curveballs, and when it does, resilience becomes your superpower. While living in New York, I faced one of those “what now?” moments when my apartment was broken into. That home invasion forced me out of my space—a major setback since I was a home-based stylist. I had a packed schedule with confirmed appointments, and suddenly, there was a big question mark hanging over everything. At the time, I was still finding my footing in a new city, building my reputation and clientele. In a field where character can make or break you, all I could do was communicate honestly with my clients about the situation. It was pretty dope to receive responses that were filled with understanding and support.

With no close family or friends nearby, I stayed with a family friend in Harlem who let me crash. I knew the setup was temporary, so I focused on making do with what I had. Essentials were limited, but one thing I always had around? My hair tools.

The show must go on. I’ll never forget one client telling me, “If we have to do my hair outside, we can.” ( It was summer) That level of support and adaptability kept me going. For others, I hit the road, traveling to Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island—you name it. No matter where I had to go or what obstacles popped up, appointments were fulfilled, and clients left satisfied. When the opportunity arose, I relocated and settled into a new space in the Bronx. Looking back, that chapter taught me so much about perseverance and the importance of community. The road may have been rocky, but every setback was a setup for growth.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Two lessons that stand out for me – ones I’ve had to unlearn and still work on are finding rest and navigating relationships with friends and family.

1. Finding Rest and Setting Boundaries
For the longest time, I thought constant hustle and always saying “yes” would get me closer to my goals. I said yes to every opportunity, overextended myself, and ignored the importance of rest. But I learned the hard way that overworking doesn’t necessarily mean progress. While I love what I do, I had to unlearn the idea that success comes from being endlessly available. Prioritizing rest, listening to my body, and creating clear boundaries has actually allowed me to show up stronger and deliver better results—not just for my clients, but for myself, too.

2. How to Service Family and Friends
Ah, the classic dilemma: “If they’re your friends or family, they should support you and pay full price” vs. “If they’re your friends or family, you should give them a discount.” It’s such a gray area, and for the longest time, I went back and forth trying to figure out the “right” answer. Eventually, I realized there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. For me, the best approach was to create a specific policy for close friends and family—one that feels fair and allows everyone to feel supported. It’s been a game-changer for navigating those relationships while maintaining professionalism and respect for my work.

Unlearning these lessons has been a process, but they’ve helped me build a healthier, more sustainable approach to my business and my relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.protect_yo_strands.com
• Instagram: @Protect_yo_strands

Image Credits

Jeff Grand – Photographer
Camille Shaw – Photographer