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

Shunderia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

So my business started as a hobby when I was about 11 years of age. As I grew older, my hobby turned into my hustle throughout my college years. Shortly after, I knew it was more than getting a quick dollar. I fell in love with the creativity of styling hair and the confidence being given to each client. So from there I focused on my passion being my reality. It wasn’t easy trying to build my empire. I worked several jobs during this process some hair related some not. I always wanted to be my own boss as a child because it was a family tradition. My grandfather made sure to teach me how to be a boss. However, the way life was going and the economy, I just didn’t have the confidence and resources so I thought to have my businesses. Well, all that took a turn when the pandemic started. The salon I worked in had to close down. Being a stylist I was stressed, that meant little to no income for me. I knew I had to think fast. It had gotten worse my nine year old bonus daughter I was raising had been overdosed with fentanyl May of 2021. I then lost my mom and car September 1, 2021. I was devastated and afraid of what life had left for me.
Nevertheless, I had a burning feeling inside of me that I didn’t understand. I went back to work quickly after both tragedies, using hair and my clients to cope. But I still wasn’t feeling at ease. Everyone was so enthusiastic about my strength to keep working. My client often asked when I was going to start my own business, but I was afraid of were the economy was heading and the thought of not having the money to afford it.
November of 2021, something happened inside me, that burning desire had gotten louder and louder. Everything that could happen in my life to make me uncomfortable just being a master stylist happened. I knew what it was, I prayed about it. After that moment I knew if I wanted this dream to become my reality I had to step out on faith.
I began doing research on how to open my own salon, how to get funding and etc. Then it dawned on me why my mom would always tell me, “I’m going to buy you a sheshed”. I then looked up all the state and city requirements in my area on how I can make that possible. I just really wanted to make my mom and daughter proud. I enrolled in a Business Program to help organize my thoughts and plans. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I knew it needed it to be done. I told my husband I had no luck with funding and I will need to invest every penny we had saved in my vision.
I began, studying who my target audience were, what was my niche, what area I wanted, what made my salon different than the other 100 salons around my community. I literally studied several business tactics and laws. I organized a team the help me master branding, marketing and etc. By May 7, 2022 I was the new owner/ CEO of not only one business but two. My grand opening was the best heavenly birthday present I could ever gift my mom. I was now the CEO of Sheek Styles salon and Allure’ Royalty Extensions. This was no easy task. I still think back over the few short months and be at ahh that I actually invested in myself and made my dreams reality.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Hi, my name is Shunderia Thomas-Knox, I’m also known as Shaé. I’m a 29 year old African American female born and raised in Memphis, Tn. I grew up in the South Memphis neighborhood, but I spent most of my days in East Memphis were I went to school. I lived with my mom we’re I was the only girl in the house hold. During my short years I have went to college twice getting a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management from The University of Memphis and a Trade in Cosmetology from Delta Tech. I struggled through both with life changing experiences happening but I preserved through it all. I am now a Master Stylist specializing in natural styling techniques, relaxed styling, braiding and extensions and also other chemical services. I’m most proud of the strength and courage I have to be able to keep going when the roads up ahead doesn’t look promising. That skill I have is what set me apart from others, I’m able to demonstrate positive influence no matter what the circumstances are. My brand is about uplifting people and making them feel like they matter. We strive to build confidence and self love in both my companies. Sheek Styles focuses on Being Chic, Bold and Beautiful with everything you do. Allure Royalty Extensions thrive of being Loyalty to your own Royalty, which means for us respecting yourselves always whether is from the crown of your head to souls of your feet. You are Royalty! Our goal is to build self awareness, giving women back that power of loving themselves unconditionally, being confident in themselves and the power of their beauty within. What set us apart from other is that we pride ourselves on being time efficient, reliable, relaxing and honest. We cater each client one by one and provide service that fits their needs and not one size fit all! We focus on the need of the client and not the money. When you sit in the chair you should be able to release your worries down the shampoo drain and get a peace of mind.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

So as mentioned before hair was my side hustle, I always worked a job in customer service and Management. Once I knew hair was my passion and I loved what I could do with it, I played it safe. I wasn’t confident in my craft were I felt I could quite my jobs and focus on my career. Honestly, the pandemic and grief pushed me to have the faith to invest all my savings and just do it. Once I got my permits and building, reality sit in for me. Everything is else was just about trusting God and allowing my craft to be used a blessing to others. I went from working low paying jobs, managing their companies to managing my own businesses.

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

The biggest lesson I have learned in this process is trusting your instincts. I didn’t always have the confidence and courage I do now. I wasn’t raised in the most typical environments so my thought process was a lot different than most. My best attribute is I trust in myself first before I can expect others too. I had to unlearn the doubt and fear I embedded in myself through watching others mishaps and life experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.allureroyaltyextensions.com
• Instagram: Sheekstyles_salon
• Facebook: Sheek Styles
• Other: Email [email protected] www.sheekstylesbyshae.com Facebook Allure Royalty Extensions Business Number 6157538254

Image Credits
Jacorri Washington Marcus D. Jones