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

Hi Joy, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I’ve always had a passion for both music and hair, but I didn’t begin taking either one seriously until 2019. Even though I had been doing hair since my teenage years and throughout college, I didn’t fully understand how to turn it into a profitable business until later. I always saw hair as a side hustle—never something that could become my main source of income.

At the time, I was working from home for a Black-owned business, A&J Appliance. It was honestly a great job with flexible hours, but I’ll be real—I wasn’t the best employee. I was juggling clients while on the clock, and eventually my performance started to slip. My boss noticed and gave me a choice: either commit fully to the job or let it go. He even shared a story about someone he had let go so they could pursue entrepreneurship full-time.

That moment forced me to really think. I didn’t feel ready to do hair full-time. I had clients, but not enough to live on—maybe an extra $300–$500 a month at most. Still, my clientele was growing, and deep down I knew I couldn’t keep splitting my focus. So I made the decision to quit.

At first, it felt like a huge mistake.

I had graduated college in 2018 and now I had no stable job, inconsistent clients, and no steady church to play for. In 2019, my niece was born, and I went to Florida for a few months to help my brother and sister-in-law. That became my main source of income, aside from the occasional hair appointment. Even then, I questioned if I had made the wrong decision.

But while I was there, I took a step forward—I created a website for my business. Even though bookings were slow, I knew it was a move in the right direction.

When I returned to Georgia, things were still uncertain. My client base was growing, but not enough to fully sustain me yet, and I still didn’t have a consistent music position. Then in October 2019, things started to shift. I secured a steady church job, my clientele began to increase, and my website started gaining traction.

Then COVID hit—and at the same time, my dad got sick.

What felt like another setback actually became a turning point. I had to slow down and really evaluate my business—my pricing, my booking process, and even my brand. My dad allowed me to set up a salon space in our home, and I saw the opportunity to create something of my own.

Through months of trial and error, I realized that if I truly wanted this to work, I had to take it seriously—not just the craft, but the environment and the experience as well. Using the money I earned from music and my growing client base, I invested in renovating my home salon.

That decision changed everything.

Joy, 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?

My name is Angela Joy Humphrey, and I’ve been learning how to do hair since I was three years old. Now at 31, what started as a simple passion has grown into something much deeper. Hair has always been a part of my life—first as a hobby, then as a source of income when I began taking clients at 14.

In 2013, I attended Oakwood University, where hair quickly became my side hustle from freshman year through graduation. Although I was pursuing a degree in music, I became known more for my work behind the chair than on the stage.

What I love most about doing hair is the therapeutic experience it creates—not just for my clients, but for me as well. There’s something powerful about helping someone feel confident and renewed. When I “adjust the crown,” it’s more than just styling hair—it’s about reminding people of their worth. You never know what someone is going through, and sometimes a hair appointment can be the very thing that brings a smile back to their face.

The biggest problem I solve for my clients is helping them grow healthy, beautiful hair. One product I consistently recommend is my Amore’ Oil because I’ve seen the results firsthand. I’ve worked with clients dealing with thinning, and after using the oil, their transformation speaks for itself.

What sets me apart is versatility. I specialize in locs, but I also cut, braid, and provide healthy hair solutions—all in one place. My clients appreciate that they can come to me for a full experience, not just a single service.

Looking back, I’m most proud of how much my business has grown from 2019 to 2026. But more than the growth, I’m grateful for the relationships I’ve built. My clients have truly poured into me as much as I’ve poured into them.

After losing my father in 2023, I didn’t know what life would look like moving forward. But during that time, my clients showed up for me in ways I’ll never forget—praying for me, listening when I needed to vent, and simply being there. One client even gave me a card and flowers to express condolences, and that meant more than words can explain. They didn’t have to—but they chose to.

Over time, my clients have become like family. This journey has never been just about money for me. It’s been built on dedication, sacrifice, and resilience. Even in moments when I fall short, my clients give me grace and remind me that it’s okay to be human.

Persevering through pain has been one of the hardest challenges I’ve faced, but it’s also been one of the most rewarding. You can’t skip the hard seasons—they shape you. They build your character. Even a photograph has to go through the darkroom before it can fully develop.

And in the same way, every dark moment has helped me become who I am today.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my presence on social media through consistent promotion and actively engaging in local groups within my city. Growth didn’t happen overnight, but consistency made all the difference.

I became very intentional about how I presented my work—making sure the lighting was right, the angles were flattering, and most importantly, the hair spoke for itself. At the end of the day, if you’re selling a product or service, it has to look like something worth investing in.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ve learned that every client isn’t meant for me—and not all money is good money. Over time, I’ve had experiences with clients who didn’t respect my time, whether that meant leaving without paying or disputing charges for additional services.

Even now, there are potential clients who want my services but aren’t willing to follow my booking process. That alone is a red flag. I’ve realized that the most challenging clients are often the ones who don’t listen or don’t value the structure you’ve put in place to make the experience smooth for everyone.

Protecting my time, energy, and business means setting clear boundaries—and understanding that peace of mind is always worth more than a difficult dollar.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beejoyshair.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joysthe.goat?igsh=MXI2MXZtd3QzZmczdg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18DcaicuxS/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/zDkNc9JWiD0?si=7OR5lFYoChQWtNIX
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/PqBioPTT2iKqcZwNm6
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/track/0JDsT0iPAdyhcHtUN0Br0f?si=I8RLAJ-1R46op2eHR-WMjg

Image Credits

Kimberly Krush Robinson