Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hazel Shaday. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hazel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I believe I started my business at exactly the right time. During quarantine, I had just lost my job, and with salons closed, people didn’t have immediate access to hair care services. Without a salon space of my own — but with the determination to make women feel like their best selves — I packed my bag with all the supplies I needed and traveled directly to my clients’ homes.

This period turned out to be a blessing in disguise. At a time when the world felt uncertain, I was able to provide comfort and help people feel beautiful again — something that felt incredibly meaningful during those moments of isolation. Starting my business then gave me the clarity to recognize my talent and passion, and I truly believe it aligned perfectly with God’s timing.

Looking back, I wouldn’t have wanted to start my business any later. While hair is my craft, my purpose has grown beyond that — I now strive to be a safe space for those navigating their own entrepreneurial journeys. Starting when I did allowed me to step into both my passion and purpose, and I’m grateful for that.

Hazel, 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?

My name is Hazel Shaday — a Panamanian-born, Brooklyn-raised hairstylist and proud owner of By Shaday Studios.

Growing up, I was always experimenting with my hair — whether it was trying new styles or playing with different colors — and I took pride in learning to do it myself. As I got older, I started relying more on professional stylists, but when the pandemic hit, that changed. With salons closed, I found myself back in front of the mirror, styling my own hair.

I began sharing my hairstyles on Instagram, and soon enough, people started asking, “Who did your hair?” My answer was always the same: “I did it myself!” This inspired me to start trying those styles on friends and family, and eventually, I built the confidence to post my work and start accepting clients.

Like any entrepreneur, I’ve faced my share of challenges, but what I’m most proud of isn’t just my growth as a hairstylist — it’s the connections I’ve built with my clients. One of my favorite compliments is when clients say they love my personality and feel like they’re hanging out with a homegirl. I treat every client as more than just a customer — I aim to be a friend, a therapist, and someone they can truly feel comfortable with.

At By Shaday Studios, I want every woman who sits in my chair to know she’s beautiful, valued, and free to express herself through her hair. Creating that safe space is what sets my brand apart — and it’s what I’m most proud of.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I love this question because I like to consider myself the pivot queen! For me, life isn’t linear — there’s always room (and often a need) for adjustment. Whether it’s due to changing circumstances or simply feeling unfulfilled, I believe you can pivot at any point in time — and that decision can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

My journey has been anything but traditional. I’ve worked in the service industry, been a teacher, worked at a music production company, and now, I’m both an entrepreneur and a tech professional. Each of these roles has played a key part in shaping my path.

After losing my job at the music production company, I started my own business — and that decision ultimately opened the door to where I am now. As an overachiever, I’ve always believed I can accomplish anything I set my mind to and while I loved building my business, I also felt the urge to learn a new skill and increase my income.

I began researching roles in the tech industry, but nothing felt quite right — nothing seemed to align with my interests. That changed when I realized that marketing my own business — creating flyers, writing captions, and building a social presence — had sparked a new passion. Understanding that marketing was a huge part of my business inspired me to dive deeper into digital marketing and eventually pursue it as a career.

I gave myself six months to learn, take courses, and build my skills — and in that time, God opened the door for me to start working at a FAANG company. Looking back, every job and experience I’ve had has led me to this point. Because of that, I truly believe that everything always works out in my favor.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

The most important advice I can give to anyone starting to build their social media presence is this: BE CONFIDENT, and don’t be afraid to post! If you never post, no one will see your content — but if you do, there’s always the chance that one viewer could change the trajectory of your life.

Most importantly, be yourself! The way you show up on social media is the type of audience you’ll attract. If you show up as your authentic self, you’ll naturally draw in people who connect with that authenticity.

I’ve always been confident and showed up as my true self in any space but at first, marketing myself felt unfamiliar, and I wasn’t sure how to put myself out there. When I started By Shaday, I knew I had to step outside my comfort zone. I began sharing videos of myself styling my own hair — simple posts that showcased my skills. Before I knew it, people started asking, “Who did your hair?” and I proudly replied, “I did it myself!” That curiosity turned into requests, and as I continued to post consistently and connect with my audience, my following began to grow.

While posting may seem scary, I absolutely love hearing people say they found me through TikTok or because someone shared my post. It not only lets me know that my work doesn’t go unnoticed but it’s also a reminder that showing up — even when it feels uncomfortable — can lead to amazing opportunities.

My biggest piece of advice? Just start. Show up as yourself, post with confidence, and trust that your people will find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: byshaday.as.me.com
• Instagram: @byshaday @hazelshaday
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehazelshaday
• Other: TikTok.com/@hazellshaday
  email – [email protected]

Image Credits

@sen.floyd @vice.virtues