We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Atiya Wright Harris a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Atiya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I am so much happier as a business owner hair has always been my passion. I do not look back to when I had a “regular job” what so ever. I was working at fivebelow 30 hours a week for 2 years. I started seasonally also while being a hairstylist on the side and a full time mother, but right before covid had its name, I was unfortunately fired in 2020. After me being fired hair became my only source of income until the city got shut down. I would panic because hair stylist weren’t allowed to practice and funds were low but that gave me the push i needed to go forward into my career field and it was up from there.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Atiya better known as Tee. I’m a licensed cosmetologist that specializes in natural hair and locs. I’ve always had a passion for hair and got my license in 2014. I feel that what separates me from others is that i dont focus on what other are doing. There are other wonderful stylist and locticians but none are me. I’m proud to say i am good in my own way and my work shows it. I work in a timely manner where you are pretty much in and out and my clients love it also im on-time. Communication is key between client and stylist and respect.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Post! Post! Post! It may seem like a lot of work but if you don’t promote you don’t make money. Use hashtags that apply to the audience that you want and no less than 15 of them. Always take your pictures in the best lighting possible. Everything is content!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In my career, I tried my hand at everything hair even nails and the nail thing was a no go lol. When I discovered locs and natural hair styling was the fastest and most creative way for me to go, that’s what I stuck with. Do what you feel is best for you and your career and what puts your creativity in overdrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/atiyaharris
• Instagram: Tee_artz
• Other: You can also find me via tiktok @lovebythagallon for hair tips and loc methods.

Image Credits
Image of myself was taken by David E. Hightower. Can be found on facebook.