We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gloria Austin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gloria below.

Gloria, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Becoming an entrepreneur was never “the plan”. In 2016 I had Just graduated college with a BS degree in sport management hoping to eventually land an assistant coaching position at a local high school in Tennessee or start a non-profit AAU league. As a former women’s basketball player staying around the game was still in the front of my mind. However I believe God gave me another path. I ended up working the next 5 years as a Sous Chef at Nashville’s Music City Center. I made so many connections with amazing people. It fast pace and I grew in leadership quickly. However after work or in my off days I was always doing hair, and there isn’t anything I hadn’t tried at that time as far as styles. Braids was always my go to. I’ve braided hair since I was 12 years old and actually wanted to become a cosmetologist while in high school but beautiful interfered with my schedule so I stuck to doing braids on the side and just getting better at my skills. Locs didn’t become a thing for me until 2012. It definitely got me out of my comfort zone and was something different. Fast forward to 2020 pandemic. I’m a wife, a mother, and expecting my second child and was no longer able to work in the kitchen. Thankfully at this time I had Just gotten a promotion in 2019 to be a manger assistant so I was Doing more office work and was able to keep my job and work remotely. That made it even easier to do hair from home. My husband and I created A plan to safely service people who were coming in our 3 bed room apt. We shared our 3rd bed room office space. Half was used for him (work from home space) and the other was my mini salon set up. Business was booming! I couldn’t believe how many people were coming by word of mouth. This same year we decided we would try and purchase a home by 2021. Between doing hair and my husbands contributions we were able to save enough for a down payment on our first home. I was Obsessed with knowing everything I could About locs. I took a course to obtain my braiders certification which made me eligible to work in a professional setting. Once we closed on our home I transitioned From my job to be self employed, starting my career in the beauty industry in a local barbershop. From there the exposure was crazy, I gained even more clientele after being there for just 1 year. I started To outgrow the “male dominant” space and decided to try a beauty salon. I learned a ton in a short amount of time. Within just six months I was Off to renting my own salon suite, along with an apprentice.

Gloria, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In college I was Introduced to Locs, and although I was A great braider, locs were something totally different. Especially starting them yourself and not just retwisting someone else’s work. I was Captivated by all the different styles of locs at first, then the cultivating of locs, the health of locs and how I could Be apart of this community. Fast forward, I currently run my salon suite as a full service loc salon. I’ve had my own space going on 2 years now but I’ve been servicing in the Nashville area since 2019. We provide traditional loc maintenance, interlocking, and crochet as well. Educating our clients on their hair types, porosity, products and general loc knowledge is a huge part of our salon. I found So many people just were getting locs and not being educated behind the care of them, I started doing so much research, taking classes and formulating a foundation of knowledge that was most valuable for me and my clients. Although locs are a passion of mine, allowing us as a community to see ourselves in a different light with locs hits a little different. So many women have been accustomed to the old beauty standard and prim and press, and throughout their lifetime have been told their hair was either unmanageable, too straight, or even that it wouldn’t loc. Being a former athlete, I live for a challenge and proving people wrong. So showing up for my clients is important to me as well. Encouraging them and supporting them along this journey with confidence and love.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Starting out as a new loctician in Nashville was kind of crazy. The pandemic had a huge hand in propelling me in the industry. During a time where salons and barbershops were shutdown, the kitchen beautician was all the rage. Coming from corporate America, and again being an athlete, you have a certain level of professionalism and communication skills that allow you to build trust with clientele, and also make them feel comfortable. Although I started In my 3 bedroom apartment, my husband and I agreed This wouldn’t be a hot mess, but run it like a business. Set hours, give them an ambiance, being mindful of each person needs and giving them their time. Post pandemic so much has changed in people, everything is online, no one wants to talk on the phone and barely in person. I’ve always been a great communicator, listening to understand and sharing knowledge where I can. I think still this sets me apart in a generation of social media influencers, and a time where everything around us is hustle and bustle. Being present. Giving encouragement, creating, healthy conversations, and keeping hair healthy not just styling is what sets me apart.

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

Along this journey there have been so many obstacles. Outgrowing spaces, losing friendships, tapping out on money, and even getting to a point of depression. I dont Particularly wear my emotions on my sleeve but I knew When I got To a low place in my life and no one knew. It was bad. I wanted To quit everything because I wasnt Sure where God wanted me to be. My clientele was growing even more, I had Just gotten a larger suite to fit myself and 2 other girls and they both quit back to back. I felt Stuck, I knew I’d be able to pay the rent by myself but that wasn’t the goal. While I was Still in my low place I prayed Relentlessly, asking God just to be with me, I didn’t want to let him down most but also I didnt Want my business to suffer. I was Able to get 2 new stylist trained and things immediately started to turn around. I was Beyond grateful just for having another chance to grow my business. I felt Like a failure for losing two people like I wasnt good leader, but people were still watching and wanting to learn from me and I took On that challenge and it worked out for me!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: TheBlaqueMosaic