We recently connected with Karen Charlot Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Karen Charlot, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I came up with the idea of opening my own shop after it was mentioned to me from a very close friend.? I was excited because not only she influenced and motivated me she helped me find the building. I knew it was a worthwhile endeavor because all the years of myself working in a couple of salons, commissioned salons, and me going to hair shows and continuing education in the beauty industry, I knew it was time and I felt it would work. The problem I was solving was beautifying my clients. I got most excited when my clients came back!
Karen Charlot, 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?
It was a walk to the mailbox. Not knowing when I looked down and picked up a flyer off the ground that read enroll in beauty college, that it would change my life. I decided to make that call to the beauty college, enrolled, completed in 9 months, took my state board, passed, and that’s where and when my career took off. I was a single Mom, living with my Mother until I received a letter from housing authorities. I went to numerous hair shows and classes to enhance my skills because I realized in beauty school I was being taught to be prepared to pass my state board, and to me that was good because to learn theory and practical of hair, nails, and skin that was a plus if I wanted to be a licensed cosmetologist. At the same time, I needed to learn how to do updos, twists, finger waves, spiral curls,etc. with that license! Lol.I worked in a few salons to get exposure and experience. I never gave up and it was easy to give up because our people can rib the pants off you when you new in the industry and trying to be good at what you do. It’s my livelihood and I didn’t give up. It helped me with bills, to get more for my children and myself. It made me feel good about myself. One of the shops I worked in in the early part of my career was a Barber and Beauty Salon. I really learned a lot there and learned to barber as well. One of the stylist there took my hand and she told me when I see you, I see myself. She proceeded to say in this industry people don’t share what they know and she told me, but I’m going to teach you how to cut and set a short hair style and I kept that with me. I was grateful. Same with the Barber and owner of the shop, he showed me barber skills that I keep with me now today especially because it’s old school. Also, at another shop I worked in still in my early days right after finishing beauty school, a stylist seen me struggling with a Bob cut. She came to me privately and told me the next time you need help, ask me. She was a great stylist and she was the one who helped me master using the Marcel irons and Oven. She told me that she was not going to do my cousin’s hair again, that I was, and baby I was on my way! I used my marcels and oven in the shop where the stylist prepared me with the short hair style technique too. I was and still am grateful to the both of them and the barbers who helped me. I give God all the glory for the things he has done for me. I could of had some really mean clients. Years later I was eager for more education in the industry and enrolled in another beauty school and went to a couple more hair shows. I also worked in one other salon where I actually did a few Saints players and other clients where I was truly blessed. I was and am still grateful for working there. Over all, I’m grateful to my clients. Well, then it was my time. I have a wonderful dear best friend who has supported me during my years before and in the beauty industry and when my son passed, she said “Karen, you should open your own shop.” I never thought about it. But, I did it. After all the years I worked in the industry I was confident enough to open my own. Shyloh’s Jazzy Hairstyles, LLC.
I am happy I stuck with the beauty industry. I could remember a time when I completed a Basis Electronics course under the Office of Women’s Services because I thought I needed a back up until I got on my feet doing hair. But, when I went on a job interview and before it was done I was asked a question, I answered it and I had everyone laughing at one of the funniest things that happened to me during that time. Afterward, they told me we’re not going to hire you because you have a beauty license. Lol. I’ve been in the industry over 35 years and love it. I can remember my dear friend daughter Roxie followed me as I did her hair and she became amazed in doing hair and makeup and now she’s in the beauty industry. Well, after doing hair for years, I decided to go back to pursue my college degree after 40 something years while still working in the shop. I closed my shop during the pandemic but still have my business name but work in another shop which is a cool place to work in. My clients followed me. During my time in the beauty industry I have joined the Louisiana State Beauty and Barber Industry, the National Beauty Cultrist League, a Culture Bearer of my great city of New Orleans as a Baby Doll(Baby Doll Rose), a newly Black Masking Mardi Gras Indian Queen of the Yellow Pocahontas Hunters Indian Tribe under Big Chief Darryl Montana and Big Queen Dianne Honore. As well as an newly Actor after pursuing my college degree in Theatre Arts/Performance from DU in New Orleans. You can catch me in a BG church scene in the movie Sinners! But I’m still doing hair! and I still attend the beauty organization conventions.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I caught the bus to and from work in the early times of me working while my children were young. I thought I was going to quit working during that struggle, but I didn’t and I decided to go and take a driving class. I finished the class and got my license! I was on my way with my hoothie I called it, but it got me to point A and B. Even when the kids told me “momma park down the street.” when I dropped them off to school, lol!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Don’t worry about what you don’t have worry about what ya got. But, it only applied to this one situation. The back story, not that I was not grateful but I needed a larger space for my Business, because I did not have enough ventilation and my health comes first. I moved to a larger space and it worked out well for my business, health, and clients!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Shylohs_Jazzy_Hairstyles @krose_62 @theerealkarenshylohwilliams
- Facebook: Karen Williams
Image Credits
Karen Williams