We were lucky to catch up with Kiana Long recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kiana , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Back on the east coast, I worked for a company for 15 plus years and my social handles name was “K’s Framework” for a very long time. The slogan I used during that time was, “a picture is worth 1000 words”. During that season of my life, I viewed everything through a picture frame lends. There was and is a story behind every photo, hence the slogan “worth 1000 words”. Most of our perspectives are just surface level, but what if we actually went the extra mile to think deeper. It’s like looking at a Mona Lisa in the eyes to capture the feelings and emotions that took place at the time of her paintings. Every photo taken, had a story of a little girl behind it of how their hair journey started. From the little girl who suffered with insecurities of being fair-dark skinned with kinky coil hair and striving to make it straight. To the little girl in all shades who has no identity whatsoever and has no direction of which way life is taking her. That was then… in 2021 I was released from my long term, comfortable leadership position. That is where God downloaded Artistik Kreations. I had a vision of what the logo could possibly look like and drew it out by hand. I had no idea why at the time because what I had in mind previously, was now beyond my capacity limit, at least in my mind. During this time of renaming my business and forming an LLC officially, I had no idea of anything else; not a business plan, mission or vision, if I would even take it further than what it currently was.

It wasn’t until 10 months after I transitioned to Tulsa, when God spoke to me and said “it’s time”. I did not know that over the next 9 months I would be pregnant with new branding, a mission and vision, and building clientele & partnerships in a city I knew absolutely nothing about, yet exhibits so much opportunity for growth.

A.K. Beauty Co., LLC exists to enhance beauty and confidence in our guests by providing immense knowledge on how to “Own Your Natural”

Kiana , 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?

As a little girl I always wanted to be in the hair industry. My dad was a full time barber, my mom visited the hair salon biweekly, and several cousins in the industry as well. I observed every atmosphere I was in when visiting a barbershop and salon to the point I knew the kind of salon I want to own or work for. It was the only thing I wanted to go to college for until I realized I didn’t have to go to college for it. There was a cheat code; vocational technical high school. In the state of Delaware, one of the school districts offered during high school years are the vocational schools. During middle school, we had to apply and write a short essay about to areas of trade we were interested in and how we would be an asset to the programs. Once accepted into the school as a freshman, we went through eight six week career rotations as a tester for us to truly pick the trade we wanted. The catch is to stand out to the instructor because they make the ultimate decision of who they except. Long story short, I did not get accepted into Cosmetology my freshman year. I remained in Business Tech my first year of high school. Fast forward to the first day of school my sophomore year, I am 10 minutes into Business Tech and I get called down to the office because a student did not return. I was next in line for the spot in Cosmetology. The rest is history. The long term job I spoke about previously, sought me out at school. The end of Junior Year we have to apply to a local salon and begin working our coop job. I was at my long term job since high school starting as a receptionist.

Our services include haircuts, styling, coloring, and treatments for all hair textures. We craft unique hairstyles for special occasions, weddings, editorial shoots, etc. Products include professional haircare lines, including our very own that are in the making.

We are the solution, we are the hands to the community and our clients. We provide an atmosphere of safety and environment of confidence which allows each person that steps into our establishment to build in the skills they already possess.

What sets us apart?….We are a ministry! We are built on Faith, Trust, and Belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This isn’t just the building up of our own wants and desires, however, the desire, purpose, and destiny that God has placed on the inside of us. We each have a blueprint ready to go, we just need submission to God for the provision and strategies to be released. Look at us as a pit stop on the way to destiny.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word of Mouth!

I am not from Oklahoma and I do not care for the likes of social media. However, in the world we live in today, everything is on social media and it aids in marketing and promoting. Lately, in Tulsa, word of mouth has been a beneficial factor for me in building clientele. Those who have come to visit A.K. Beauty Co. have been spreading the work far and wide to all who ask. I shout out all of those who have ever sent a client to us and those who continue to do so. You all are amazing and I am so grateful to God for you!!!!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

December 2023, I released a building I was renting downtown due many things. God had me pivot in another direction to a salon suite that is a much smaller space. I am still in the process of understanding and getting all that God wants me to receive during this time. I will say, I have no regrets. I learned a lot from May 2023-now, and when the time comes of restoration, I’m sure He will lay it all out to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://artistikkreationsbeautyco.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: @akbeautycollc
• Facebook: AK Beauty Co LLC

Image Credits
La’el Tucker Anastasia Harris Ryanne Gordon