We recently connected with Divine Valentin and have shared our conversation below.

Divine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I am most happy when I am creating because I feel like I am doing what is natural for me to do. I have had regular jobs since I was 16 years old. It wasn’t until I experienced adversity in the workplace that I started to realize that the nine-to-five work life wasn’t for me.

I am originally from the Bronx. I have an accent, something I didn’t realize I had until I moved to Phoenix Arizona. I talk with my hands and I use a lot of slang. Aside from all of these ways, I know how to conduct myself and I know how to adjust to my environment when necessary without losing who I am. I never leave home without my SELF and for some people, it can be a bit much. I am bold. I am direct and I thank New York for instilling those things in me.

I have always wanted to create something for myself. I didn’t like having a boss and a premade schedule. I don’t agree with a lot of policies in the workplace because I don’t feel like they are properly thought out. I don’t work jobs to change policy so I only work jobs that fit the way I am made up and schedules that fit my lifestyle. I’ve burned many corporate bridges striving to find my way in this world and I figured out that things have to work for me, not the other way around.

I think my entrepreneurship started when I was selling incense, hard-to-find books, and natural products at local barbershops and bus stop. I was on a mission to uplift people’s spirits and introduce them to products that were a healthy alternative to what they were used to. I sold African Black Soap, Shea Butter, Natural body oils, natural toothpaste, natural deodorant, etc. I enjoyed that time because I was filling a need. That is what drives me to be creative and share my work when I can fill a need through the arts.

I started writing poetry at the age of twelve but I didn’t start performing my work until graduation day two thousand five. I recited a poem in front of a bunch of NY kids which was a big deal for me because I know how new yorkers can be, if they don’t like what you do they don’t stay quiet about it. I got up on that stage shaking like crazy. When I was done I got so much great feedback it was definitely something I wanted to pursue. Not long after graduating I moved back to Phoenix with my mom and signed up at local coffee shops to share my spoken word. I’ve been performing in this valley for over 20 years and love every opportunity to speak my truth. I have met many famous people, opened up for many famous people, and have established business relationships with most of them. Through sharing my work I have been signed to a music production company called Defected Music in London. I recorded my very first poetry CD available on ITUNES called The Bigger Picture. It really has been life-changing for me.

I started my hair business when my twins were just under a year old. I was bored at home with no money and no daycare for my boys and I remember sitting in front of my computer saying to myself What can I do from right where I am with what I already have? and the thought came to me. I do locs. Locs are rope-like strands of hair formed by locking or braiding hair. Back then I started promoting myself on MySpace, a popular social media site at the time and my business has been growing ever since. I have over thirty-five clients now and I run this business on my own. I am a single woman raising 4 boys who know firsthand what I go thru scheduling clients and what it takes to build rapport with them. Running your own business is no easy task but I wouldn’t trade it for a nine to five for sure. When my business is slow I seek work that allows for a flexible schedule and the opportunity to be out and about with my community. I enjoy interacting with people. I do not like being cooped up in a cubicle, in a building with no windows and I don’t enjoy being a part of corporate politics. I don’t knock anyone nine to five hustle. I’ve just grown to know that that particular hustle isn’t for me.

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

My primary business is locking hair. I started locking 23 yrs ago. My oldest son didn’t like getting his hair braided or combed out so I decided to lock it. I could say he was my guinea pig. I tried many products and ways to make sure his locks were clean and properly styled. I knew nothing about locking hair at the time, I just didn’t want to cut his hair. It was his mane and I didn’t feel right cutting it before he was ready. So eventually when he was 8 yrs old he came to me and said Mom I’m ready for a change. I cried. My baby boy was growing up. Since then I have locked his twin brothers but the baby is not into the locking so we have since cut his hair a few times.

My locking business is my family’s bread and butter. I do have other forms of income that come through the door but my main business is hair locking. When I decided to lock hair I did it to bring in pocket money. I was living with my mom at the time so I didn’t have any heavy bills and she wasn’t pressing me to pay any and I appreciate her for that. My clientele grew slowly but I stayed consistent and most importantly I remained professional. Yes, I was locking from home but my clients were always treated properly and their time was never wasted. If there is one thing I can say that causes me to stand out from the rest is that when my clients schedule their appointment, I am on time and ready to go. The work is done and it’s done well. I don’t keep anyone in my chair longer than they need to be because both their time and mine are valuable.

One day I was on the phone telling someone I was with a customer and when I hung up he said I want to be your client. I never called anyone a customer again. Also, I don’t refer to scheduled times as appointments, they are now called sessions. I don’t just lock hair, my client and I have conversations about life, their life and we exchange experiences and or advice. It’s a mutual exchange that I greatly appreciate. Don’t get me wrong some of my clients prefer to just sit and get their hair done so in these cases I play some music and zone out. It really is their time and it should be respected.

I call my business Divine Locs because that is what I do. I’ve learned to stay in my lane. If a client calls and asks me for a service I don’t provide I refer them to someone else. I am not in this business to compete because then I would only be focused on being better than someone else. Instead, I focus on being a better businesswoman for myself, my clients, and potential clients. There are a lot of locticians out there that do what I do and do it well and I give them madd props. Everyone eats. Period.

My clientele has grown from word of mouth and that’s the best marketing I can get. Thank you to all of my clients and to those who don’t have locs but have seen my work and still refer folks to me. My clients and I have grown together and to this day we are all connected. Have I ever lost clients? no, I have gained knowledge and understanding. I take notes as to what works and what does not. There is never any real loss because when a client chooses a different path they make room for someone else. If you don’t start to see your losses as wins you will miss your blessings. Real Talk.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My clients inspire me. Their stories drive me to create some sort of PowerPoint to help other small up-and-coming businesses with tips on how to keep their clients, polish up on customer service and improve their time management. The goal is to enhance business and hopefully build better business relationships within the community.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Oh my gosh as a creative if you are not paying attention to your journey you really miss out. What’s most rewarding for me is the freedom I have created for myself and my children. They are a part of my lifestyle and in order for things to work it all has to make sense. I don’t seek success in one area of my life I also have to succeed as a mom and still put food on the table. I accomplish this by communicating with my children. Letting them in on what I am doing and how they can help make the road a bit smoother. This is why even though owning your own business is popular today, its a lot of work involved and there are no days off. Is it stressful? at times yes. Is it worth it? 100%. My kids have were brought up in this with me so they know how to conduct themselves when clients are around. They greet them with respect and they show they have manners. These are not small tasks and everyone plays a part. My greatest reward is being able to include my children in my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.divinelocs.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/locitandluvit