We recently connected with Ty Latrice and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ty thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
My first client was a guy who loved extravagant braid designs in his hair. He would come over and have me braid his hair for each event or big deal he would be about to close on and I would be so excited. He always paid me in all ones and due to me being a young girl, I felt I was being paid a lot of money at once. This was also a two for one session, because the styles were so extravagant that he would have to come back to me for the takedown! I would part his hair in 4 quadrants and connect them to each other somehow, and seal them with beads. It was his signature look and I was proud that this was my first client, as well as a recurring client!
Ty, 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?
Ms. Ty’s Agape Hair Care was officially created in 2012, but I has been braiding since I was 8 years old. My mom would sit me in the back of her cosmetology class and the instructor would give me one of their “baby” doll sand I would practice briaidn and styling while she was in class. I would then go home and style my little brother hair, because as a young kid he had long pretty hair. I would plait his hair and always make sure he had the cutest styles. As a kid living in the projects, I would always try and find ways to make money, and braiding was one of them. I would go around the projects braiding all of my friends hair, and I had a lot of “play kids” that would always love for me to keep their hair styled. This money and passion would help me with field trips and all types of snack and fancy bookcovers(I was a whole nerd with the bookcovers lol).
Fast forward to after high school I would always braid my daughter hair in the prettiest styles. A lot of mothers at her day care would always ask me of I could start braiding their children hair and thats where the spark came back. I started to notice the pattern of young girls and their self esteem and behaviors behind their natural hair was a negative undertone so I started to do more research and realized there was a need for more education and knowledge about natural hair in the community. This research led me to Isis Brantley, a natural hair pioneer who has dedicated her life to the education of holistic and ancestral braiding of natural hair. I was so intrigued I saved all of my money and went to take her classes to become certified in her courses and in Natural Styling. This is when I became an official natural stylist, dedicating my life to the education and passion for natural hair styling and healthy practices.
Now that Ms, Ty’s Agape Hair Care is born, I specialize in treating and styling the natural hair with minimum stress, manipulation, and pain during the process for maximum healing and rehab. I am very proud of the many women who have become natural and stayed there due to knowledge and love for their natural tresses by sitting in my chair. Its the best feeling to know that they see the value in their hair and it provides a sense of security and love for themselves.
One thing I want my clients/potential clients to know is I do not take it lightly that they chose me. My love for natural hair and its sense of connection to self is a huge deal.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I had an in home salon for years, and due to divorce I’ve had to move into a shop for the first time. Paying booth rent on top of new bills and expenses have created a new challenge, so I have had to learn to value my worth and time. I am used to working hard, but I have had to learn how to work smarter and accept challenges as they come. This has taken me to a new level of resilience, because now I am a single parent, business owner, and woman who has to balance a new life and continue to dedicate time and love to the natural hair journey and my clients.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the generational curse of pain equals quality when getting your hair braided. My mom was a very heavy handed woman, and I just thought after getting your hair braided you would have to endure pain for several days. Once I learned about ancestral braiding and the dynamics of relationship with the comb and equipment , and how it is imperative to learn that braiding does not have to be painful I couldn’t keep it to myself. I believe it is my purpose to teach that lesson to my clients by gentle braiding and care for their natural kinks.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msty039sagapehaircare.setmore.com
- Instagram: MsTyagapehaircare
- Facebook: Mstyagapehaircare