We recently connected with Ciera Veale and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ciera thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Ever since I was a little girl, I would always tell my stepdad that I wanted to do hair. I didn’t know how I’d get there or what the path would look like, but I was certain that’s what I was meant to do. He always encouraged that dream. In May 2021, he tragically took his own life—and that changed everything for me. In that moment, I knew I had to make our dream real. We talked about it so much, and I couldn’t let that go.

Not long after, I was unexpectedly let go from my job—no warning, nothing. It was a shock, but I took it as a sign. That was my moment to finally go all in. That first year was tough. There were moments I questioned everything, but I kept my faith. I knew I was walking in my purpose.

My mission has always been to keep going—to keep showing up and do what I was truly placed on this earth to do. I feel my stepdad with me every step of the way. He was the only father I knew, and he never stopped pushing me to chase my dreams. So every day, that’s exactly what I do

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 Ciera Veale—but everyone calls me “CEE.” I’ve been doing hair for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I’d spend hours in the mirror doing my own hair, and soon I was the girl in the neighborhood doing everybody else’s. School picture day? I had my sister’s hair done. Hair days were my happy place—it’s always been more than a hobby for me.

In 2013/2014, I started getting back into locs. I was doing my best friend’s hair, and he encouraged me to start taking more clients. That push was everything. At first, it was trial and error, but I stayed with it and started to get in my groove. My client list grew fast. I was working full-time, 12-hour shifts, and still doing hair before work, after work, or on my only days off. Some days I would take up to seven clients in one day—the grind was nonstop. But I loved it.

After I graduated high school in 2011, I went through a tough season where I experienced homelessness. That chapter shaped me—it gave me a fire to never let my circumstances define me again. Since then, I’ve always had a different kind of hustle. I worked multiple jobs at once to stay afloat, and that level of drive has stayed with me to this day.

Even now—with a fractured wrist—I can’t sit still. It’s just not in me. I may have to slow down a little, but I’ll never stop. If I’m not behind the chair, I’m working on new products or prepping for 1-on-1 classes. Outside of hair, I’m deeply into fitness too. I work out daily, run a fitness page, and I’ll be offering personal training soon. Whether it’s hair or health, I’m all about helping people feel like their best selves.

Everything I know about hair, I taught myself. No beauty school—just me, my curiosity, and the internet. I’m a fast learner and not afraid to try something new. That’s something my clients really love about me. When they come to me, they know they’re getting more than a hairstyle—they’re getting an experience. The vibe is unmatched. Clients sip wine, relax, and feel truly taken care of. That’s what makes me different. My clients even call my hands “The Magic Hands”—because somehow, they always leave feeling transformed inside and out.

What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come, and how many lives I’ve touched through my work. I know my stepdad is watching from above, proud that I’m living the dream we always talked about. For me, this isn’t just business—it’s personal. It’s purpose. And the grind never stops.

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

Word of mouth has been, without a doubt, the most powerful and beautiful way my clientele has grown. There’s something so special about someone speaking highly of your work and experience to others—and then having those people reach out because they want to feel that same magic. It’s a blessing every time.

Content is another major key. Posting clean, consistent work will always attract new clients. People want to see the quality—they want to feel the vibe before they even book. I make it a point to stay active and engaging on my platforms, being kind, respectful, and real. That energy pulls people in and keeps them coming back.

Another big piece? Professionalism. I don’t rely on DMs or back-and-forth text messages to book appointments. I have a clean, easy-to-navigate website because I know people value a smooth, professional booking experience. Clients should never be confused or overwhelmed trying to get in your chair.

And I’m big on rebranding—I give my brand a refresh about every two years. The world changes, trends shift, and I always want to make sure I’m elevating with it. People love to see growth and upgrades—it shows them you’re serious about what you do.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was my bad attitude. For a long time, I carried so much hurt and anger in my heart—and honestly, it was valid.

When I was just two years old, I was burned all over my body. Growing up with visible scars, I was constantly teased and singled out. I was the “odd one,” and that kind of trauma sticks with you. It made me guarded, defensive, and emotionally heavy from a young age. Then in 2011, right after I graduated high school, my family lost everything. I had nowhere to go—and the pain just kept piling on.

For a long time, I moved through life angry, and I couldn’t understand why I had to go through so many storms. But the turning point came when I almost lost a job because of my attitude. People were distancing themselves from me, and I had to face a hard truth: I was pushing people away, and it wasn’t just because of what had happened to me—it was because of how I was carrying it.

That’s when I started doing the inner work. I had to forgive a lot—others and myself. I had to unlearn the mindset that the world was against me and learn how to show up differently. It took time, patience, and a whole lot of self-reflection.

I’m not the same person I used to be—and that’s something I’m proud of. Now, people are drawn to me. They tell me my energy is contagious. The vibe is always right, and that’s because I made the choice to heal.

Change isn’t easy, but it’s necessary—especially when your future depends on it

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hairislovebycee.as.me/schedule/1fe424f7
• Instagram: Hairislovebycee_llc
• Facebook: Ciera Veale
• Other: Fitness page on IG :
  _Getfitwithcee

  TikTok: @Hairislovebycee

Image Credits

Robert Golighty Was My Photographer.