We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelsey Bailey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kelsey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
Someone once asked me “What made you transfer over to entrepreneurship?” I replied, “It kind of found me.” Before I was a hairstylist I worked as a Traffic Inventory Specialist for Raycom Media (now Gray Media). That job title is a fancy way of saying “I’m the person that places your tv commercials in the order that they run in.” I did that for 5 years, and absolutely hated it. August 2019, I made up my mind that I would quit my job and figure out how to turn my passion into income. I always loved beauty, but never pursued it as a career. I thought it was just something I loved doing, but not anything I could make a living from. I worked two part time jobs and performed hair and makeup services to make ends meet. In March 2020, the pandemic started and I could only rely on my hair and makeup services because my part time jobs were closed down. As crazy as it sounds, the pandemic showed me that I could have a career in beauty. Because I was a home-based stylist, my braiding career took off because salons were closed. KeepingUpWithKeisha, LLC was formed June 2020. At this point, I knew this is what I wanted to be doing. I had to figure somethings out so that I could better set myself up business wise. I knew that I wanted and need to be a licensed stylist. By September of that same year I enrolled myself in a Natural Hair program to obtain my hair license. My clientele was growing and I no longer felt comfortable braiding from my home. By December 2020 I was in my own salon suite.
When I was going through it, it seemed like everything was happening so slow. But when I look back at my journey I realize that it all happened so quickly. I had no plan, I just threw myself out there. Even when I didn’t believe in myself I had my friends to always root for me and cheer me on and I’m forever grateful for that.
Kelsey, 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?
Growing up I was always interested in all things beauty. I would sit and watch my sister do her makeup and copy her every move. By 5th grade, I was already doing my own hair. I think I did my first set of box braids on myself in the 6th grade. Were they horrible? Yes, but I was so proud of myself, I didn’t even care. Thankfully, with practice I got better and I started to do all of my friend’s hair. Even though I had a love for beauty, I didn’t seek it career-wise. Hair Stylist weren’t shown in the same light we are now, and entrepreneurship wasn’t as big as it is now, nor did I know much about it. So I went to college, got my undergrad in Mass Communication and my Masters in Marketing. I did everything I was told to do, but I still wasn’t genuinely happy. I worked my corporate job for 5 years and looking back I hated every minute of it.
One day I decided that I had enough, and something had to give. I quit my job to work two part-time jobs, while also braiding and performing makeup services to make ends meet. This was August 2019. As we know, the pandemic hit March 2020. Both of my jobs closed down, and the only thing I had left was braiding. I honestly thought this would have a negative effect on my business, but it actually picked up. Salons were closed, but my saving grace is that I was a home-based braider. It was then that KeepingUpWithKeisha, LLC. was born, with the help of my friends of course (they coined the term).
Most people don’t know this, but Keisha is not my birth name. It’s a name that I came up with in college. Keisha is my alter ego. She’s the fun, outgoing, life of the party version of me. With my brand I wanted to show other black women that it is possible to be both. You can be professional, but it’s also okay to let loose as well. Duality. Black women were taught that to be accepted in this society we must be poised, amongst other societal rules that were meant to keep us docile and meek. Fortunately, we no longer subscribe to that notion.
Today, I am a licensed Hair Care Specialist and I work out of my own personal suite. I do specialize in braids, but I offer other services such as: sew-ins, wig installs, loc retwist, and MUA services. One thing I can say about my work is that no matter what service my clients book, I always provide quality work and I stand on that.
There have been bumps and bruises through this journey, and sometimes entrepreneurship can get you down. But when I look back at all that I did, and look forward to what is to come; it makes it all worth while. I’m forever indebted to KUWK
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
First and foremost, I provide quality work every single time. My clients can attest to that. I have literally had clients come back and tell me that other people recognized my work just from the parting in their hair. My attention to detail is like no other. Secondly, I’m very personable and easy to talk to. Hair appointments are therapy sessions. It’s a time where women are vulnerable and feel okay to share whatever it is they may be experiencing or have experienced. I make sure I provide a space that feels welcoming. After all, we’re going to be here for several hours, so we need to make the best out of it.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My career change was definitely a pivot. I went from working in media to being in the beauty industry. I am no longer an employee. I am an entrepreneur, and it is a beautiful, yet nerve-wrecking experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://keepingupwithkeisha.as.me/
- Instagram: _keepingupwithkeisha_
- Facebook: Keepingupwithkeisha
- Other: TikTok: _keepingupwithkeisha_
Image Credits
Rickland Young Photography (only for my headshot photo with the roses)