We recently connected with Gianna Abreu and have shared our conversation below.

Gianna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

Yeah, actually I have a story that means a lot to me. By the grace of God, I graduated a whole year early, at 17.
This past school year was one of the hardest years of my life. I went through a lot. My mom kicked me out of the house, and from there, I was basically just trying to make it on my own. There were days I skipped school just to pick up extra shifts. I was two months behind on my phone bill. I was asking people if I could do their hair, anything I could do to bring in a little money. And on top of that, I deal with severe sleep apnea and narcolepsy, so I was sleeping through 75 to 80 percent of the school day, right at my desk.
It all started piling up. My absences passed the state limit, and at one point, I was failing all my classes, every single one. I honestly gave up on the idea of graduating early.
I ended up telling my aunt what was going on, and I’ll never forget what she said. She told me, “It doesn’t matter what anyone else says, you still have time to turn things around. But you’ve gotta work for it.” And from that moment on, she was on me every day, calling, checking in, making sure I was getting sleep, staying on top of my work. She even told me if I pulled it off, she’d be at my graduation.
Eventually, it came down to two classes: Financial Literacy and Chemistry. I pushed hard. I gave it everything I had. I passed Financial Literacy. And on graduation day, my aunt showed up. I saw my family in the crowd. I walked the stage.
Right after, though, my principal let me know I’d still need to take Chemistry in summer school. And yeah, that hit me hard, but looking back at everything I went through this year, I knew it wasn’t going to be perfect. Too much had happened. But I didn’t see it as a failure. And I didn’t see it as a full win either.
I’m just grateful.
Grateful that I made it that far. Grateful that all I had left was one class. And grateful for everything I’ve been through, because even though it was rough, it made this school year one I’ll never forget.

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

Hi, I’m Gianna, founder of Gigistyledthat, I’m not your average entrepreneur.
At just 16 years old, I’ve built my business from the ground up. Not because I had it all figured out, but because I had to. After facing major life changes, including not living with my mom anymore, I found myself needing to provide for myself without help or a support system. That pressure pushed me into purpose. I turned my hands, my talent, and my love for hair into something that could support me. And now, it supports others too.
What I do:
I’m the hairstylist behind Gigistyledthat , where I provide a range of hair services from protective styles and braids to hair care and hair assessments. Whether you’re trying to figure out if your hair is too short or damaged for a certain look, or you just want your hair done with care and love, I’m here. I specialize in making people feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful, no matter their hair type or texture. My chair is a space of transformation and trust.
What sets me apart:
I didn’t just wake up and decide to do hair. I’ve been perfecting this craft since I was six or seven years old, inspired by watching my big sister Yaniris work her magic on dolls and her own hair. She taught me, I learned, and I fell in love. I see hair as art. Thousands of strands turning into something beautiful under your hands. What sets me apart is that I care about the health of your hair just as much as the style. And I do it all with passion, precision, and purpose.
What I’m proud of:
I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’m proud that I’ve turned what once felt like a childhood hobby into a growing business. But most of all, I’m proud every time a client looks in the mirror and says, “Oh my gosh, I look so beautiful.” That moment. Their joy. Their confidence. Their shine. That’s everything to me. That’s why I do this.
What I want people to know:
Gigistyledthat isn’t just a brand. It’s my story. It’s about overcoming, evolving, and expressing beauty in every form. It’s a place where clients know they’ll be heard, seen, and taken care of. I want people to know that when they sit in my chair, they’re not just getting a hairstyle. They’re getting a piece of my heart, my hustle, and my artistry. I’m just getting started, and there’s so much more coming.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

For me, it’s all about genuine connection. I don’t just see my clients as appointments. I see them as real people who trust me with their hair, their confidence, and sometimes even their personal stories. I stay in touch with my clients through social media, text, and follow-up messages after appointments to check in on how their hair is holding up or if they need help with anything. I’m always open, always responsive, and I make sure they know they can come to me for more than just a hairstyle. They can come for honest advice, care tips, and support.

What builds loyalty in my brand is consistency, kindness, and the love I put into my work. Every style I create is personal. I remember my clients’ preferences, their hair history, and the little things that make them feel beautiful. They come back because they know I care. Not just about how they look when they leave, but how they feel. I build a bond with my clients. And that bond is what keeps them coming back.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There was a time in my life where I was completely on my own. No help. No one to call. I had to survive without even knowing how I was going to eat. There were days, even full weeks, where I had nothing. No food, no money, and no way to ask my mom for help. I was still just a teenager, trying to finish high school, working a job, doing clients’ hair, babysitting on the side, and just trying to hold my life together with my own two hands.

During that time, I hit my lowest point. I was failing school because my sleeping habits and mental health were all over the place. Everything was falling apart. But one day, I woke up and told myself, “You have to grind harder. No one’s going to do it for you. You have to get up and make it happen.” And that’s exactly what I did.

I started managing my money better, even if I only had a little. I chose groceries over anything else. I worked harder. I kept doing hair. I kept pushing. I reminded myself that I could either let my situation break me or I could rise from it. I chose to rise.

There were big moments, achievements and milestones, that I wish I could have shared with people I loved. But they weren’t there. And I had to make peace with that. I had to accept that sometimes, you have to clap for yourself. You have to keep going even when no one’s cheering you on. Because the truth is, if you don’t do it, no one else will.

That’s what resilience means to me. It means getting up when everything in you wants to give up. It means choosing strength when you feel empty. It means knowing your worth, even when no one reminds you of it. I live that every day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @gigistyledthat
• Facebook: Gianna Abreu
• Other: Tiktok: @giannanicholeee

Image Credits

Gianna Abreu