We were lucky to catch up with Kristi Mefford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kristi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

One of the most meaningful ways I’ve ever shown appreciation to a client didn’t involve a fancy gift or grand gesture. It was simple. Intentional. And full of love.
A longtime client of mine had recently undergone surgery. Her recovery wasn’t going the way she hoped, and she didn’t have the means to book her usual appointment. But more than that—she missed the way being in the salon made her feel: whole, cared for, seen.

So I told her to come in. No payment. No pressure. Just presence.

We laughed. We watched a good movie together. I slowed down and gave her locs the kind of care that speaks without words—gentle parting, extra attention, soft energy. I let her rest while I worked. I poured love into every motion. And when she stood up, her energy had shifted. She didn’t just look better. She felt better.

That moment wasn’t about a hairstyle. It was about healing.
It was about sisterhood.
It was about holding space.

That’s what appreciation looks like in my world—not just saying thank you, but reminding you that your crown is sacred… and so are you.

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?

Why yes! Greetings all!

I am Kristi Mefford—an East Nashville native, Service-Disabled U.S. Navy Veteran, Licensed Natural Hair Stylist, and founder of Kinky Rootz® Salon and Queen of Kinks® Natural Hair Essentials. But beyond any title, I’m a woman who has spent over 20 years redefining what beauty, healing, and sustainability look like—especially for those of us with textured crowns.

My journey into this work began from a place of necessity and deep spiritual awakening. I served in the Navy at a time when wearing natural hair wasn’t just frowned upon—it was penalized. I know what it feels like to navigate spaces that weren’t built for you, and how powerful it is to reclaim your identity through your crown. After transitioning out of the military and surviving unimaginable personal challenges—including domestic violence—my vision became clear: I wasn’t meant to just build a business. I was called to build sanctuaries.

Through it all, two things kept me grounded: ritual and sisterhood.

In 2020, I lost my best friend and chosen sister, Shayla. We shared everything—especially our love of hair, wellness, and laughter. Her passing cracked something open in me. I didn’t want another brand. I needed a legacy—something that would carry our bond forward and remind others of the power that lives in our roots.

Out of that sacred grief, I created Queen of Kinks®—a love letter to our shared journey and to everyone who’s ever felt unseen in a world that tries to straighten us out. It’s a handcrafted, plant-powered clean beauty brand born from my kitchen, my pain, and my deep desire to heal others through the same rituals that helped heal me.

Each product is made with sustainable ingredients, eco-conscious packaging, and multifunctional use—because caring for your crown should feel both luxurious and accessible. These products nourish more than just hair—they affirm identity, reclaim heritage, and offer an alternative to the toxic beauty standards many of us were raised with.

My salon, Kinky Rootz®, is a chemical-free, culturally affirming space rooted in ancestral care, self-love, and ritual. We specialize in natural hair services including loc maintenance, twists, protective styles, steam treatments, and in-depth consultations that empower our clients to embrace what naturally grows from them. Every head I touch is honored as sacred.

I solve problems that run deep—problems like dryness, breakage, identity loss, lack of access, and lack of trust. Whether you’re in my chair or opening a jar of Pom=Aide from across the country, I want you to feel one thing: seen.

What sets me apart isn’t just my formulations or my hands—it’s the intention behind it all. I don’t just create products. I create experiences rooted in cultural memory, healing touch, and sustainable living. I also lead community programs like Rooted in H.E.R., which brings free crown care, confidence-building workshops, and sustainability lessons to young people of color in underserved schools. Because this work has never just been about hair—it’s about legacy.

I’m most proud of the spaces I’ve built—spaces where people feel safe enough to show up as they are and leave a little more whole than when they arrived. My hope is that when people engage with my work, they don’t just feel pampered… they feel powerful.

If you’re new to my world, know this:
Every curl, kink, and coil carries a story. I’m just here to help you honor it.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There’s a quiet strength that comes from building something while you’re still healing.

I opened Kinky Rootz® Salon during a season of personal challenge. As a survivor of domestic violence, I was learning how to reclaim my voice, my peace, and my power. The salon became more than a business—it became a space of cultural pride, rest, and radical self-expression. I poured love into every head I touched, creating an environment where clients could feel affirmed and cared for just as they are.

Then in 2020, I faced another deep loss. My best friend and chosen sister, Shayla, passed away unexpectedly. She was my safe place, my mirror, and my biggest cheerleader. Losing her was devastating—but in that grief, something began to grow.

That’s when I created Queen of Kinks®—a handcrafted, plant-powered clean beauty brand inspired by the rituals Shayla and I shared. It was never just about products. It was about honoring memory, celebrating culture, and creating everyday moments of healing for others.

Resilience, for me, isn’t about perfection.
It’s about continuing to show up.
It’s the decision to keep creating, to keep serving, and to keep growing—even when the ground is shaky.
It’s trusting that what’s rooted in love will always rise.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Honestly, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele hasn’t been fancy marketing—it’s been real connection and consistency.

I built Kinky Rootz® Salon and Queen of Kinks® through word of mouth, referrals, and showing up with intention every single time. Whether someone found me through a friend, a pop-up, or a consultation, what kept them coming back—and telling others—was the experience. From the way I cleanse and care for the crown, to the energy I bring into the room, it’s always been about making people feel seen, valued, and affirmed.

I also invest in community-first visibility:

I collaborate with local Black-owned spaces and events
I educate through natural hair consultations and youth programs
I share real client stories—not trends or gimmicks, just results rooted in care.

Consistency in service, sustainability in my message, and authenticity in everything I create—that’s been my growth strategy. When you pour into people with real love and real results, the right clients will always find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.queenofkinksnhe.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinkyrootzsalon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KRSQOK
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/queenofkinksceo/

Image Credits

Photos Taken Professionally by Denise Wells