We recently connected with Kamesha Alexander and have shared our conversation below.

Kamesha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

I currently manage my own Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pintrest accounts. It is definitely a lot of work trying to create and post content on each platform everyday.

I have found that planning out content works great for me. I’m starting small with 1 week at a time because it can be overwhelming. Hashtags are a big deal! I research for popular hashtags and hashtags being used by other stylist. Then, I like to create 6 groups of different hashtags to use for each post. Using the same set of hashtags repeatedly tends to get your post shadow banned.

Reels are also a big deal! I scroll through all the videos and if I hear a song more than 5 times I save it. It’s typically a “popular sound” and that’s what you want right now.

In the future, I definitely would love to hire someone to manage all of the accounts because it is a job within itself. I could eventually use this time to focus more on the product line and expanding business.

Kamesha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kamesha Alexander, I’m from Austin, TX and I have been in San Antonio, TX for 11 years. I recently got married and I’m a mother to 6 year old twins! I’m a hair braider specializing in Knotless Braids and Healthy Hair Care. I learned to braid at the age of 8.

In 2020, I launched my own all natural hair care line that I produce and package myself. Launching Kreative Thairapy products are some of the most proudest moments of building my brand. I’ve wanted my own hair care line since a freshman in high school. I’ve always had this mindset of being more than “just a braider.” I started braiding part time from home in San Antonio in 2015. I realized there were not many great hair braiders that cared for your natural hair as well. While working my full time job, I continued braiding part time and the money was great.

In 2016, I got pregnant with our twins and was told if I didn’t slow down I would be put on bed rest for being on my feet too much. Shortly after, I ended up getting fired from my job for not allowing customers to belittle me anymore. My clientele was growing rapidly and they were becoming regular clients. Braiding hair is peaceful for me, it’s my therapy, so I strictly focused on building my brand Kreative Thairapy. I learned so many lessons in my first year.

A year after giving birth, It was all so much to juggle so I decided to go back into the workforce full time. Wrong move! Although, I stayed 3 years it was the most aggravating time ever. I hated my job, I wasn’t happy and I knew I should’ve been braiding hair full time and focusing on building my brand. Taking that leap of faith from a “for sure check every week” to “if you don’t fill the seat, you don’t eat” was extremely hard this time around because now it’s kids involved.

I worked hard building my clientele up and researching the best ingredients for my future hair products over the years. 2019, I finally quit and found a salon to work in. I worked there for 2 years and learned so much about the business and hair. However, being there showed me I really wanted my own space to create my own vibe. I opened my own Braid Studio in 2021!!! Having a private studio is the perfect environment and allows my clients to relax and be comfortable. Business has grown so much since opening. I have sold out of my products multiple times. I am able to create more content to grow my social media accounts.

Being a forever student is what I love most about myself being a business owner. I like to invest in classes, I just became certified to do Luxury Tape In Extensions. I watch videos, take free seminars and study other stylist to enhance my skill levels and what I have to offer to my clients to ensure they have the best possible experience at Kreative Thairapy Braid Studio.

In 2023, I will be offering Luxury Tape In Extensions and adding another product to our natural hair care line. 2024, I plan on expanding and merging with my husband to open a Barber/Braid Shop.

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

Customer service is a top priority and I want to make sure each client receives a top tier experience. However, a hard lesson I had to unlearn was “the customer is always right.” That slogan produces entitlement and allows for mistreatment of staff.

I used to work for a major grocery chain when I was 7 months pregnant. I asked a customer to unload her 8 bags of dog food onto the belt so they could be scanned. She refused, and I explained to her that the hand held scanner was broken so I needed her to place them up top. Upset that I asked her to unload her items, she also refused to read the barcode numbers to me to type in. I saw where this was going and told her that I wouldn’t be able to ring her up and she had to go to another line. A big scene was made, she name called loudly and management came over. They apologized profusely to her, while I was told to shut my register down and meet them in the office. Needless to say, I was never apologized to for how they allowed a customer to treat an employee, but I was told how “the customer is always right in this business and our #1 job is to make sure the customer is always happy.”

I was ultimately fired. At that moment, it taught me that big company’s don’t care about you and I would never allow that in my own business. No amount of money is worth feeling that type of feeling.

Fast forward to now, I have had to learn that “all money isn’t good money.” It’s okay to refuse service to anyone who will be nasty and rude. That’s not the targeted audience one should want. There are people who will support your business 1000% percent, those are the ones you want. Even with providing exceptional customer service, you just can’t please everyone and that is okay.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I have built a great business reputation by being transparent and authentically me. Listening to my clients and understanding their needs, always keeping my word and providing quality work each time are big factors that keep my clients coming back. I always think of things to offer that most others don’t to stand out. Especially, when it comes to caring for Natural Hair. A potential client doesn’t know they need what you offer until they see it.

When I first started in San Antonio, I focused more on kids hair. It was easy to build a loyal client base. Kids also come more frequent than adults. Kids are walking advertisements and word of mouth is everything.

I provide a soothing shampoo, deep condition treatment, braiding hair, beads, bows and hair jewelry with braiding services. The soothing shampoo is everyone’s favorite part. I focus a lot on healthy scalp care.

Being active on social media has given my business a great boost. Although, i am currently rebuilding my Instagram because it was hacked and deleted. I always ask my clients to leave me reviews of their experience so others can read when they are searching. My clients always take business cards with them to give out as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.kreativethairapy.com
• Instagram: @kreativethairapy
• Facebook: Kamesha’s Hair Care
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCKOfp54mRtTjn4puBlUSF-Q