We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kenisha Tiana a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kenisha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?
My hero…..would have to be my big sister, second mother, forever girl, Brittany Yeldell. First things first, she was my first hair model dating back to the 90s. One way we bonded was through me doing her hair. Yes, a four year old was doing an eight year old hair lol…good times!
My sister has always taught me to authentically be myself because the haters gone hate lol. She has also taught me to succeed in my dream career life and personal/love life. Remember, when i said she was my first model?!!! Same for locs. When I first decided I wanted to become a salon owner, she was my go-to! We tried thousands of styles just so I could have content to post. She would bring me different pics like, “Let’s try this next!” lol I’m extremely blessed to have a model down for whatever and allows me to get creative.
I honestly, can’t count how many people would come for a service and show me my sisters’ picture and be like “This the one! I want this style.” So for that I’m super grateful for our connection that has grown over the years.
We have always supported each others dreams and been each others overall hype-woman. Fast forward to present day, we get to share that same gift with raising our children together.
S/o to all the big sisters out there, holding it down for the family!!! You are appreciated deeply. I love you sister.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My son, Ase’, was born during the Covid pandemic, July 2020. Being a newly single mother my son inspired me to follow my dreams of becoming a Master Loctician! I knew I not only needed to pay the bills but I wanted to create a legacy for my grandchildren’s children.
Well as you know, I’m Lavender, the CEO&Owner of Lavender Locs, The Luxury Loc Bar of Augusta. We provide our clients with the highest quality services designed to meet each of their individual needs. With #Lavender, you will experience luxurious care and detail-oriented services in an ultra-glamorous environment. Simply a vibe you can’t resist. Just like my name (Lavender) my vibe and salon is a true representation of lavender- calmness, relaxing, loving, beautiful, and the ability to heal. Lavender is known to encourage tranquility. The ability to calm the psyche bodes well for purity and healing.
What sets me apart from others is my mindset and my drive. I pray and envision that I will be the best loctician in the world. I truly believe it! Within a year I was able to open my first salon. Last year I remember doing hair in my one bedroom apartment (for FREE!!!) while baby wearing my new born son. So going from booth renter to owner in a year was huge for me! However, it was not easy. There were plenty of long long long nights and early mornings. Thank God for my parents, holding me and my son down until Lavender was able to blossom. Sometimes I use to forget to even take care of myself because I was so driven to have a better life obtaining my goals for my son and I.
The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was having little to no clients when I first started this journey and no one in the CSRA wanted to give me a chance because I was the “new girl.” Another obstacle would be knowing when I have outgrown a space or person/people in my life and in business. The lessons I have learned along the way is believing in myself more than I want others to! To understand that I am the rookie and the vet and I have so much more to learn, to create, to touch, and to heal. I know that the best is on the way to me and I receive it with open arms and genuine joy.
I want the world to know that Lavender Locs is here and you will be able to hear about me and my products for centuries to come. My goal is to be just as successful as Madam C.J. Walker, Tailah Waajid, BB Judy, and every sister that paved the way for Lavender.
To dated, my most proud moment for Lavender Locs would have to be when I participated in the Taliah Waajid Loc Competition in Atl, GA. The exposure and experience was a dream only a 5 year old girl could imagine. I did not leave with the title but I left with so much gratitude in my heart for both my work and my presence. I can’t wait for what God has next for me!
How did you build your audience on social media?
Yes! It’s so outdated but I started passing out business cards everywhere I went; beauty supplies, downtown, seafood restaurants, the mall, you name it… I was there advertising my business. I would post videos CLAIMING to be the BEST in the CSRA, now I have my potential followers curious. Then I would post small content videos showing off my spiritual washes, loc freestyle styles, and live reactions of my clients seeing their hair for the first time!
My client loveeeeddd my videos. That’s the first thing they would say once I finished, “an I get a video, I want to be posted on your page.” Awww lol that really meant a lot to me. I have a background in photography so taking pics of my clients allows me to implement passion projects daily while also utilizing my undergraduate degree.
I first became my career as a social media manager in 2014 while attending North Carolina Central University. At NCCU, I held a lot of positions on campus and often became the social media manager for whatever organization that needed my services at the time. All of the content from over the last 9 years has helped me build my social media community for Lavender Locs.
The key to getting your followers attention is to curate an experience that they can feel through the phone. I always hear new clients say, “the vibe of your page is what attracted me to you…. you’re not like other loc stylist.” I pride myself on giving my clients a well-needed experience, with wisdom, knowledge, patience, and privacy.
Always think, what would make me want to try this company out if I were down to my last $100. Would this experience be worth it?!!!
Lastly, be authentic! I have gone viral plenty of times and each time … I wasn’t expecting it and I was being 100% me, no faking, no bs just what felt good in my soul. So, if you’re doing it for the numbers, you’ll be waiting forever. Do it for yourself and watch the numbers grow.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
My current clients are walking build boards, They tell me often, “someone loved my hair so I shared your information with them.” or “I tagged you on Facebook and everyone loved that style on me.” It warms my heart because I can hear the excitement in their voice from receiving well-deserved compliments…like who doesn’t like compliments!
Even though my work speaks for itself, the experience my clients receive every single time, is what seals the deal. Word of mouth!! Word of mouth!! We live in an age where people like to leave reviews and share experiences. This strategy allows people to get a fill before they even sit foot in my chair.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.linktr.ee/lavenderlocs
- Instagram: @lavenderlocs_
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/DiKCCCnnZ-o
- Other: TikTok: lavenderlocs
Image Credits
Kenisha Syphertt Shyann Brinson Photography