We recently connected with Celena Stone and have shared our conversation below.

Celena , appreciate you joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

What do you hope your legacy will be?

As a cosmetologist of 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of touching hearts, changing lives & building long lasting relationships through the act of service & community outreach.

When I think about the things that will shape my legacy its the accomplishments, the setbacks, the journey, the people I’ve helped, inspired and those who have inspired me.

Born in Jamaica, WI and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I graduated from New York International Beauty school at the age of 17 after leaving high school a year earlier.

By the age of 19, I was a published stylist landing the cover of International magazine Amour Creole with Dawn Richards; member of girl group Danity Kane, worked with America’s Next Top Model, Miss USA pageant, Bad Girls Club, Good Morning America & VH1’s Basketball wives just to name a few.

Though these were some amazing moments of my hair styling career; being around other influential people made me want something bigger, more meaningful; significance.

As a hair care specialist, I’ve worked with women who suffered from hair loss, alopecia and/or just lack of hair education.

I created products and achieved some amazing transformations using science, herbs & essential oils. It inspired the birth of O’lyn Botanics; named after my grandmother Gwendolyn.

Which will now become apart of her legacy.

My mission is building a beauty & wellness brand dedicated to environmentally sustainable practices, developing clean products with natural ingredients that give impeccable results and creating educational programs for aspiring or licensed cosmetologists to help further careers and build the next generation of cosmetologists & entrepreneurs.

I’ve always been passionate about giving back to my community.

Historically Black barbers & salons have always created safe spaces for the community to have conversations about everything from gossip, politics or community affairs.

Prior to Covid-19, I launched Jumpin’ Gems Double Dutch squad at Spike Lee’s annual Block party in Bedstuy, Brooklyn. Originally, my idea was to create a program for city kids/teens exposing them to Double Dutch rope & Philanthropy. A sport that many children have no knowledge of in 2023.

After a successful debut in the summer of 2019, the jump ropes brought a community of people together; both men & women. (See footage @JumpinGems)

Unfortunately, the pandemic effected some projects that were in the making however, the show will not stop. Since launching, Jumpin’ Gems has hosted a school supply drive donating hundreds of supplies and backpacks to school students in Brooklyn, Ny. Donated clothes & needed items to flood victims effected by Hurricanes in Louisiana & the Caribbean, Donated food to the homeless and we have much community building in store for the new year.

What do I hope my legacy will be?

I can just hope that the legacy I leave behind will leave people and the world in a better and much beautiful place. I hope my legacy reflects everything I am and value today; it’s resilient, charitable, strength, education, community & empowerment.

Celena , 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 Celena Stone; aka “Stoney”. I’m the CEO & Founder of O’lyn Botanics & Co.

I’ve been doing hair for as long as I can remember but it was my grandmother who suggested I should get licensed about 20 years ago. Back then, I just knew I wanted to be a celebrity hair stylist, following the steps of Celebrity Hair stylist Kim Kimble & aspiring to have the entrepreneurial skills of Kimora Lee Simmons. I was determined to be great.

My work ethic & journey into herbalism started with my grandmother and Rastafarian relatives. Learning about the benefits of herbs & plants came with cultural practices. The aloe plant aka “Sinkle bible” sat on my grandmother’s window sill growing up. She used it for burns, bruises, irritations, detox/laxatives and even used it to deter me from thumb sucking. (I can taste the bitterness, just thinking about it.) Fast forward years later, along with using other herbs, teas, oils and botanics the aloe plant is one of my most used ingredients for O’lyn Botanics hair products.

The things that I’m most proud about is the community I’ve built with my supporters. I started at 17 years old building something not knowing the impact it could possibly have. While I appreciate all my supporters I have to say my former hair loss clients; the work we put in together is by far one of my proudest achievements.

Whether it was treating hair loss due to chemotherapy, excessive tension, postpartum hair loss, medication or stress. The overwhelming joy a client has when experiencing hair regrowing that they never thought would recover; that moment of happiness and gratitude is something you can’t put a price on.

Tears of joy after a finished service is a reminder that I provide more than just a hair service or retail products. I’m a cosmetologist, a friend, an unofficial therapist, a magician, but most importantly I’m someone making a difference.

My mission is to build conscious brands that will help Individuals look good, feel good, grow hair & grow communities towards a better future.

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

Talent & Professionalism

Providing exceptional services and having great business practices built my reputation. I learned from a young age that valuing my clients time creates happy returning clients. I strayed away from the “first come first served” system earlier in my career because not only did I aspire to build a brand that functioned similar to the high end salons of NYC but I also valued my own time. Having a more structured day works better for everyone. Working by appointment only allows clients to be seen upon arrival and I get to have a balanced work life.

One of the most common misconceptions in the black hair salon is that you have to reserve your entire day. Although, there are many black salons who have great business practices. The reputation of the collective have ruin the salon experience for many women who have opt out of salon care for YouTube, Tik tok & other platforms teaching women different DIY hair hacks; (even if it’s not the best idea for your hair) all to avoid being in the salon all day.

Going to the salon is no longer an enjoyable experience for many women so they do it themselves at home. I value my reputation and my business so my clients are seen upon arrival. When clients are impressed with my time management, I love it! In the past their wait time was longer than the actual service time. It’s my pleasure to be the one to change the salon experience for them.

I remember I had a new client come in one day for a 3 hour service. I completed her in about 2.5ish hrs, when I removed the styling cape. She was happy, satisfied & ecstatic. She asked “wait, you’re done?” Yes! I’m finished, I responded. She was in disbelief, she planned her entire day to be in my chair. She jumped up and screamed “I don’t even know what to do with the rest of my day!”

As funny as the moment was, she was really in disbelief about having the rest of the day to herself. In her mind, she already came to the conclusion she was going to open & close the salon with me regardless of what her appointment confirmation stated. That’s what she was accustom to; like many other women.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My referral reward program.

Word of mouth is my favorite. I love referrals. Not only are you supporting my business, you’re helping it grow . I use social media platforms to promote my business as well but having a client or potential client refer someone to your business is special.

That says to me, Hey! I think you’re dope. I’m supporting your business and I’m bringing some friends too!

Earlier, I spoke about community building and the long lasting relationships I’ve established. It started with referrals. I have entire families, co workers, friends & friends of friends in my database. I’ve watched my clients kids grow up to become my client for JHS & high school graduations/prom.

My tagline is “Come grow with us”, in hair growth & community.

Referrals & reward programs have always been my most effective tool to growing my clientele. However, I’m still learning how to utilize my social media platforms.

Growing my accounts, creating content, increasing engagements, learning the algorithms. it’s a time consuming job in itself but it’s something that I want to learn in order to grow my business to its full potential.

Currently on my to do list is getting to 1000 favorites on TikTok so I can live stream. Wish me luck!

Contact Info:

• Website: OlynBotanics.square.site
• Instagram: @OlynBotanics
• Other: You can find my work & products on Instagram at @EliteStrands | @HausofHairapy TikTok: @Olyn_Botanics

Image Credits
O’lyn Botanics & Co.