We recently connected with Corshia Alexander and have shared our conversation below.
Corshia , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story that illustrates an important or relevant lesson you learned in school
An important lesson that I’ve learned in college was it’s okay to be friends with your friends friend. Back in 2008 I was in college and my best friend had another friend and they hung out all the time. The times when they spent time together I felt left out as if she was taking my friend from me. Something hit me and said “get to know her for yourself Corshia.” before I knew all three of us was hanging going to parties, lunch at the cafe and also out of town. My best friend wouldn’t hang with anyone while we had some things in common which was striving for excellence and achieving goals.
Another lesson I learned was don’t forgot people who are there for you through thick and thin. Another story in college I was suppose to celebrate my 19th birthday with my roommate but I decided to hang out with other friends. During that time she was suppose to home for the weekend but decided to stay on campus so we can hang out but we didn’t because I choose my others friends over my roommate. My roommate was upset with me which I can understand why. We was mature enough to talk about it to each others side and to make sure that doesn’t happened I apologize to her for my behavior and til this day 2023 were still best friends. During that time I learned to communicate with others to understand where their logic of things and listen to where they are coming from.
Lastly, another lesson learned was in cosmetology school. I had a really difficult clients like she was being extra and hard to service. The things she would say was “do you want to do my hair?, cause she said it seem like you don’t want to.” I assured her that I do and it won’t be much longer until we’re done with completing her hair service. Long story she was like that with every other student and I had to write a statement on her “behavior” with me so that she wouldn’t be able to come back to the school anymore. In that moment I realize that I may have difficult clients in the future it is important to keep a positive attitude. And I’ve also learned that it is okay to fire clients if they don’t comply by your policy or can difficult to deal with.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’d love to describe who I am and my background. My name is Corshia socially knows as CoCo born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. A licensed cosmetologist for 7 years now. Recently I’ve been on a healing and self love journey. The journey I’ve been on was going to a healing and purpose retreat by dealing with inner self, childhood and past trauma. Believe it or not those traumas can show up in my business which could prevent me to fulfill my goals and purpose in life. A quote I go by is “If you ain’t right your business ain’t right.” Meaning I had to work on the inner me to fulfill my true potential purpose in life. By attending the retreats I’ve learned that I am dependable, trustworthy, loving, thoughtful, bubbly, and creative. The negative things that people have said about me isn’t true of who I am.
When it comes to dependability Im always there when others need me. (I have learned to also make time for myself). Especially for my family whom I love dearly because I know they’ll be there for me too. Loving because I carry to spirit of loving God, myself, family, and business. When it comes to my business I always on time, I never cancel or reschedule on my clients. I have great customer service and communication skills. Pats self on back my clients love that about me. Because it shows that I respect them.
My clients can tell by my work ethic that I love what I do on how I service them meaning educating them on the maintenance of their hair, offering snacks if theyre hungry, servicing them with a laptop tray for work, watching good tv shows, and making them feel comfortable once the service is done. Trustworthy because the girlies talks that my clients and I have they stay between us. I do not repeat with anyone else especially with personal information.
By being in front of the camera more Ive grown to love to create relatable funny videos because as we know social media is where I can reach people all over the world. Back in 2022 I made a video using a popular audio and it went viral which was so unexpected and it gained me 10k plus followers. Knowing that my followers like related content videos it pushes me to be more creative which I strive to continue to do. Speaking of content it has become enjoyable because I want potential clients and my followers to see my personality before booking me while we can relate on a different level. Also too I was becoming more confident in myself by being front of the camera more and no longer being shy.
Another content video I do is confessions where me and clients take turns doing “interviews” about the service I doing for them and EVERYONE loves them. With me being creative and editing I’m proud of myself because I’m not fearful to get in front of the camera and show off my funny bubbly personality.
A close friend of mine were having a conversation and she told that I’m bubbly. I’m thinking “really girl?” and she said “yes, you’re bubbling and always bring good energy.” That made me feel good to see how others view me. Knowing that gives me confirmation that I know I’m a good person inside.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Great great question I’ve learned to not to be too personaltable with clients because the lines can be blurred and they start to get comfortable with not respecting your business. When I say personal I meaning not to tell them your personal business too early on with meeting them. Yes we had a lot of things in common by having conversations. I made a mistake by doing that and it was time she wasn’t satisfied with a service I did for her, I did tell her I’ll fix it but she didnt want me to for some reason. Next thing I knew she cancelled her upcoming appointment and I’ve talked or seen her since. The lesson learned is to get to know my clients and be careful with certain information that I want to share with them. With that being said now I’m taking my time to get to know and to get a feel of how they carry their selves as an individual.
An important lesson to learn with friends and longtime clients with the business is to set boundaries. Some people think because we’re friends or they have been coming to me for years that I would bend the rules. The issue is if I do it one time they would expect me to do it over and over again. The best thing to do is set boundaries in the beginning so there won’t be any confusion or conflict.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Ssuuurrrrreeeeeee!!! My business partner and I met through my mom. They worked together at a doctor office and my mom told her that I made the decision by working full time as a cosmetologist. My business partner at the time was on the fence about resigning from office manager job to work full time as a nail technician. So my mom gave her my number we talked and texted. I shared my advice and story on how I resigned and how I gained clientele. And also on how I left my full time job and haven’t looked back since. I love being self employed. She took a leap of faith and decided to work as a nail technician full time. And here we are working, encouraging and striving together.
Back in 2018 we both worked at a salon together. One day we had a conversation for us to moved out that salon into a one new together. We are both goal getter, personal-able, reserved, we respect and understand each other and love what we do while having fun at work. We think so much alike when it comes to having a business mindset. She’s the one I go to when I have a conflict with a clients and gives me good advice on what to do. And I’m the same with her. Thank you mom for linking us up together. She’s the best love her dearly like family.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.HairbyCorshia.com
- Instagram: @_cocothestylist
- Facebook: CoCoTheStylist
Image Credits
Ig: @bylashayprice Nails: @calibernailboutique Hair: @_cocothestylist Makeup: @micahmichelleartistry