Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Charity Taylor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Charity, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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’m definitely happy as a business owner, but every now and then, I catch myself wondering what life would be like if I had stayed an employee. The last time that thought really hit me was after a long day of working with clients, managing appointments, and handling the behind-the-scenes of my business.

It was one of those days where everything felt overwhelming—the constant juggling of responsibilities, the pressure of making sure my business stays successful, and ensuring my clients are taken care of. I remember sitting in the salon lobby, staring out the window, just thinking, “What if I was just clocking out right now, heading home without any of this weight on my shoulders?” I imagined the simplicity of leaving work at work, not having to think about numbers, strategies, or keeping everything afloat.

But then, as I sat there, I realized that despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade this for anything. Being my own boss has allowed me to create, grow, and have a direct impact on my clients and their confidence, which is something I didn’t get as an employee. The freedom and sense of ownership I have now, it’s what fuels me. So, while I do wonder about that simpler path, I’ve concluded that this journey—no matter how intense—is exactly where I’m meant to be.

Charity, 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?

Of course! My name is Charity, and I’m the owner of Light Locs Houston, where I specialize in locs and natural hair care, particularly focusing on the intricate art of loc repair and reconstruction. My journey into this industry began as a passion for natural hair—understanding its beauty, versatility, and uniqueness. I wanted to create a space where people could feel empowered in their natural state and confident with the choices they make for their hair.

What sets Light Locs Houston apart is not just the techniques we use, but the care and intention behind every service. I work closely with my clients to create personalized hair care solutions that fit their needs. Whether it’s starting their loc journey, repairing damaged locs, or maintaining and styling microlocs, I aim to enhance the natural beauty of each individual. One of the main problems I solve for my clients is making them feel seen and understood, especially those who are hesitant about their hair journey due to past experiences. I don’t just style hair—I build confidence, restore damaged locs, and guide my clients toward embracing their hair in all its glory.

I’m incredibly proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients. I’m not just providing a service—I’m part of their personal journey, helping them embrace their hair’s texture and strength. It’s rewarding to see the confidence that blooms after a session, whether it’s a fresh interlock, reattached locs, or a beautiful new style.

For potential clients or followers, I want them to know that Light Locs Houston is a space of care, precision, and expertise. I don’t discriminate, and no matter what point you’re at in your hair journey, I’m here to help you reach your goals. Your hair is a reflection of you, and my goal is to make sure it’s the best version of itself—healthy, strong, and authentically you.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

When I started doing hair as a freshman in high school, I never imagined it would turn into my full-time career. After graduating, I took a sales job in windows and siding, but the commission-based nature of it wasn’t enough to cover my bills. The stress of not meeting my quotas pushed me to lean into something I had always been passionate about—hair.

It started small. I would style hair for friends and family just to clear my head. My roommate at the time offered me a unique opportunity: he let me practice on his hair in exchange for using his space. It was through him that I began to grow my client base. His girlfriend referred me to her friends, then his coworkers started booking appointments, and soon, my own family let me perfect my craft on them.

By 2019, I realized I could turn this into something real. I noticed that if I had more time, I could make the same, if not more, than I was making at my job as a security guard at Ross. So I took a leap of faith and quit. I won’t lie—it felt like a huge mistake at first. I was walking into the unknown without a safety net. But thank God for persistence, and my parents for their support.

Using the skills I learned from my past jobs, I began to build Light Locs Houston. I went from working at my kitchen sink to opening a salon suite. From one client a day to sometimes six. Being part of my first hair show this year in 2024 was a huge milestone. I’ve gone from having 50 clients to reaching 85 consistent ones, and through it all, I’ve learned the art of turning a customer into a long-term client.

My side hustle truly became my main hustle, and I couldn’t be more grateful for where this journey has taken me.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One major lesson I had to unlearn was bending over backwards to accommodate every client, especially those who don’t value my expertise. I had a client who wanted loc extensions and was very indecisive. After spending two days creating her locs, she changed her mind on color during the install, so we went to multiple beauty supplies, adding hours to the process. She kept micromanaging and FaceTiming others for opinions, leading to more changes and delays. What should’ve been a four-hour service turned into 12 hours, with constant back-and-forth.

At the end of it all, she loved her hair but the next day wanted a refund because her sister said she looked “different.” Despite my efforts to make her happy, she accused me of scamming. Later, she apologized, admitting her self-consciousness, but I refused further service.

This taught me a hard but necessary lesson: I need to set boundaries and communicate expectations upfront. Not every client will respect your time or expertise, and that’s okay—it’s part of learning to value yourself as a professional.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://mysite.vagaro.com/lightlocshouston/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightlocshtx?igsh=MWVsOGYxMWU2dW1n&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551372390554&mibextid=LQQJ4d