We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Channing Monae. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Channing below.

Alright, Channing thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

So I was currently in Atlanta, just opened my own salon suite and just quit my 9-5 job (picked it up during covid). Things were moving very slow, but I knew it would take time to build back up again due to COVID. I remember a young lady coming to me to get a Microlink service and told me she flew in from Phoenix, Arizona. I was so amazed because wow you flew all the way to Atlanta to get your hair done, and then by me.! She proceeded to tell me where she was there weren’t many hairstylists that was educated enough to do her hair and I should consider going to a state where it was high demand but low in the beauty department. At the time I took it as a mental note and continued to work out of my salon. Until 3 months later I got 4 clients who booked a microlink service from me on 4 different days and each one later disputed their charges and I was left with a huge negative balance in my account. I was angry, sad, confused, lost, and honestly it put me in such a negative spirit and I just quit . I let my bills pile up and just didn’t care until one day I had a moment to think, and I thought of that combo I had with that young lady. I woke up and said to myself “ okay you had your down moment but now it’s time to pick it back up and start living again. This is not the only time you’ve failed and it’s okay”, so I opened my laptop and did my research on which state needed hairstylists. I narrowed it down to 5 states and compared them all. I applied to an extension salon and ended up getting a interview. A couple weeks go back after doing the interview and I was hired, but now I have to move ! I packed up everything and took the little bit of money I had left and flew to Denver, Colorado. I stayed in that position for one month until I was faced with another risk. Here I am , a new beautician in a new state with no family and friends , no promotions , no old clients , no nothing. I was uncomfortable in the show I was in, I again forgot I’m how talented I was. So I made another move and betted on myself by going to a salon where I could be my own boss. I was now a self employed hairstylist at The Industry in which I’ve been for almost 3 years now. After moving to The industry, my bookings came so very fast to where I was working biweekly and was booked everyday each week and to now I’m booked out months in advance. Moving to Denver was the biggest risk and became the biggest blessing. All because my Bette’s on myself and knew I needed a change in scenery.

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.

My name is Channing Monae. I started doing hair, mostly braids, since I was 11 years old. I was an early self taught stylists who pretty much did everyone and their families hair while in high school. I knew ahead of time I wanted to be a cosmetologist, but it wasn’t ideal for my parents. I decided to not go to college and to then just work and do hair as a side gig. I became curious to something else and ended up going to school to be an audio engineer. After graduating I later realized it wasn’t my calling. A year goes by as I am still doing hair on the side, someone says to me “ have you ever thought about going to hair school?” That’s when it clicked. After graduating cosmetology school, I then became an assistant to many different people, some good experiences and then a lot of bad ones. I decided to take my first risk and moved to California to do hair. That’s lasted 6 months due to COVID, so back to Atlanta I went. I picked up a job and now I was back to doing hair as a side gig. Until I opened my own salon suite. That went well until I got scared by 4 people which lead me to my next risk by moving to Denver. Since being in Denver I have grown in many way, As a hairstylist, a entrepreneur, a women, and now a mother. My business has grown tremendously and continues to grow as I continue to work on being a better stylist. I still take classes no matter how good I (think) I am. Just to prefect my craft and stay on top of the next big thing. I receive a lot of requests to work for me and to teach classes, or even those just seeking advice. I think back to all the times where I just needed a chance and a big break, but all the stylists I assisted would never believe in me or gave me that opportunity, so I create that safe space with every person who asks me for advice. I feel like I’ve been through alot to get to where I am today and I honestly appreciate every obstacle because look at what it has made me. I am still growing as a person and can’t wait to see what the next big thing will be, but as of today I am enjoying now my new salon suite, new wonderful clients and everyone else I inspire to be the best they can be without any apologies. I’ll continue to teach and give grace to those who just needs that guidance from someone and uplifting energy to help them believe in their own power. I am all about uplifting and creating safe, educated spaces for those who are is the space in once was in.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy was first knowing which kind of clients I wanted in my chair. I’ve been in many situations with different types of clients to where I can now say “hey I don’t want this type of clients, but I do want this one.” I do a lot of research, so I scooped out how to attract the clientele base I wanted, and that required and change in my social media, my attire and even my space to work out of.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social media. What I can say is, this is a powerful tool. It can either make you or break you. I’ve done a lot of work to reach people through social media just to get them in my chair. What I can say is, clear clean photos will get you futher than a dirty camera lenses photo and of your work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Channingmonae
• Facebook: Channing Monae