We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Florence (flo) Gyimah. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Florence (Flo) below.

Alright, Florence (Flo) thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission as a Loctician is rooted in the belief that locs are more than just a hairstyle—they are a symbol of culture, heritage, and personal identity. Over the years, I saw how misunderstood and often stigmatized locs were, both within and outside the Black community. This drove me to make it my mission to educate, empower, and care for people who choose to embrace this beautiful journey.

For me, locs represent freedom, patience, and self-expression. Each set of locs tells a unique story, and I’m honored to be part of that process with my clients. I started my business to provide not only expert loc care but also to create a space where individuals can feel proud of their natural hair and the journey it takes to maintain it.

What makes this mission so meaningful is seeing how transformative locs can be, both physically and emotionally. I’ve witnessed clients grow in confidence as they fully embrace their natural beauty. My goal is to support that growth by offering personalized care and educating clients about maintaining healthy locs. I believe locs deserve to be celebrated, and through my business, I aim to shift the narrative, showing that locs are powerful, professional, and beautiful.

Florence (Flo), 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?

My name is Flo. I am a Loctician and the CEO of ManeLocs, as well as the Founder of ‘LocDown Fest,’ based in Toronto, Canada.
I got into the loc care industry when I noticed that my husband’s locs weren’t being taken care of properly. He would come home after a retwist complaining about unnecessary pain, and I realized that the products being used weren’t suitable for his hair. Curious and concerned, I decided to study loc care and the reasons behind his discomfort. What started as a personal mission to help my husband quickly grew into a passion when he started sending his friends to me for care. Seeing the difference I was making—both in the health of their locs and the smiles on their faces—sparked my journey into becoming a professional Loctician.

I offer a range of services that focus on the holistic care of locs. This includes retwists, loc detoxes, herbal steam treatments, hot oil treatments, and scalp massages. What sets my approach apart is that I focus on the health of the hair as a whole. If I notice any signs of breakage or damage, I don’t just move forward with the service—I stop to figure out the root cause with my client. I also provide consultations to truly understand each client’s hair. My goal is to ensure that every client not only leaves with beautiful locs but also with a deeper understanding of how to care for them.

One of the biggest challenges my clients face is wanting a quick fix, especially when their locs are damaged. If they’re just starting their loc journey, many want immediate results, but I focus on helping them appreciate their hair at every stage and understand that a healthy loc journey takes time, patience, and grace. My role involves a little bit of counseling too—helping clients embrace their hair as it is, while guiding them through a personalized care plan that sets them up for long-term success.

What sets me apart is I take a no-nonsense approach to loc care. If you’re serious about your hair, I’ll be honest with you about what works and what doesn’t. I advocate for a “less is more” philosophy, and my consultations are crucial in setting expectations from the start. It’s a mutual agreement between myself and the client—we both need to be on the same page about what’s best for their hair to ensure success. This honesty and transparency set me apart and build trust with my clients.

My proudest achievement is the success stories I hear from my clients. Many of them are professionals—doctors, nurses, educators, police officers, and social workers, just to name a few—and they tell me how proud they are to wear their locs in the workplace. They receive compliments and feel confident in their appearance, which makes me incredibly proud. Helping my clients feel comfortable and empowered in their loc journey while thriving professionally is the most rewarding part of my work.

I want potential clients and followers to know that my business is not just about providing loc services—it’s about helping people appreciate the beauty of their natural hair and guiding them through a journey of self-confidence and empowerment. I focus on the health of the hair first, taking a personalized, holistic approach to every client. It’s not just about getting your hair done; it’s about embracing and caring for your locs with love, patience, and the right guidance.

Lastly, I’m so proud to have been the first to bring a locs hair show called LocDown Fest to Canada, which happened in April 2024. This festival was designed to celebrate and educate people about locs, showcasing the beauty and versatility of loc’d hair while creating a sense of community among loc enthusiasts. The event featured a variety of vendors, guest speakers providing an opportunity for attendees to learn about hair care, styling techniques, and the cultural significance of locs. It was a celebration of EVERYTHING locs!

I am already planning for the next LocDown Fest in 2025, and I am excited to continue this journey of empowerment and appreciation for locs in Canada.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Before I started my loc care business, I was working in social service. I loved serving the community and helping my clients, but as my family grew, balancing my work and home life became overwhelming. I was dealing with postpartum depression, and I reached a breaking point when my boss asked me to take a survey, which confirmed that I was still struggling with it. That was when I realized I needed to make a change, so I decided to quit my job and trust that God would guide me in a new direction.

At the time, I was working a part-time job from home while slowly studying loc care and taking on a few clients here and there. Let’s talk about humble beginnings—my setup was far from ideal. I was washing hair in the kitchen sink and using a handheld dryer, but my mental health was my priority, and I’m so grateful that my husband supported me in taking that leap of faith. Little by little, through word of mouth, client success stories, and promoting my work on Instagram with educational posts and before-and-afters, my side hustle started to grow.

In 2014, I was just starting out, washing hair from my kitchen sink. By 2017, I had set up a small space in a basement where I lived. I finally got my first tabletop hooded dryer and a portable sink, which felt like a big upgrade. In 2018, I moved into my apartment’s storage room, and my clients—like a true village—came together to help me. They installed a sink and painted the room, creating a space I could really work in.

In 2020, I rented a chair in a barber shop (Viibe Hair Studio). It was an exciting change, being in a different environment, but my clients missed the one-on-one connection we had when I worked alone. Then, in 2022, I achieved something I never thought possible when I opened my own salon suite at ProBeauty Suites. That was a huge milestone for me, something I never could have imagined back in 2014 when I was just starting out.

Today, loc care is my full-time business, and I couldn’t be happier. What’s even more rewarding is that I get to incorporate my social service skills into my appointments. I truly enjoy the deeper connections I build with my clients, offering not just loc care but support and guidance on their journey.

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

Growing up in a traditional Ghanaian household, I was raised to be a people pleaser. The opinions of others weighed heavily on me, and I often found myself wondering what people would say about me after I left the room. This mindset made it incredibly difficult for me to open up and share my thoughts and opinions, as I was constantly worried about how I would be perceived.

In my business, this tendency to please others had a detrimental effect. For instance, when a client insisted on having their hair done a certain way, even if I knew it wasn’t the best approach, I would often give in just to avoid confrontation. The pressure to keep the peace was overwhelming. This also affected how I communicated my pricing; I would shy away from asserting my worth and often undercharge to avoid awkwardness, worrying that clients would think my rates were too high.

Through this journey, I had to learn that those who truly value my work would respect my expertise and pay what I’m worth. I realized that not everyone is meant to be my client, and that it’s okay if some people don’t resonate with my approach. People’s opinions of me don’t define my worth; they simply reflect their own preferences and experiences.

Part of my growth included learning to speak up for myself. This was especially challenging, but I eventually recognized the importance of setting boundaries. There were instances when I had to respectfully inform clients that we could no longer work together because our relationship was becoming toxic.

Unlearning these ingrained habits and perspectives was not easy, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. It has allowed me to embrace my authentic self, stand firm in my value, and foster healthier relationships with my clients. This journey of growth has made me a more confident Loctician and a better person overall.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.manelocs.ca
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/manelocs
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@manelocs?si=0lA3hR5aU6TOIM_g
• Other: Instagram for the Locs hair show I run (LocDown Fest)

  www.instagram.com/locdownfest