Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to LaNecia Gradney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
LaNecia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.
Knowing everything that I already know, I’d most definitely change a lot of things. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for everything I’ve been through that has brought me to this point. But if I had the chance to start over, I’d take my business more serious rather than go out and party all the time. I’d do more research on how to guile my business, invested sooner into my business, build my clientele from home and save up and definitely would be more disciplined. There are many things that I’ve learned along the way and things I learned later due to lack of knowledge or not having the right people by my side.
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?
I’ve always wanted to do womens hair from the time I was a little girl. I use to cut my Barbie’s hair and color it, change up their look. When I graduated high school I went straight to hair school. Within 2 months into I hated it, I was no longer interested. Everything I was learning didn’t have my best interest at all. 2 years later I got approached to work at a barbershop and they offered to pay me way more money than I was making at a salon inside of WalMart. Within a couple weeks I was making way more money than I had ever made. I fell in love with it, I loved talking and meeting new men (they are such characters in their own way lol), I got better and better. As the years went by I started going to barber shows and eventually started competing. I am a 4x award winning barber in the DFW Metroplex and I plan to compete again this August 2024! Throughout the years I’ve learned so much about myself through my clients. I became extremely understanding, an amazing friend to others, transparent at its best and a growing evolving artist and human being. What sets me apart from others is my empathy, overly caring and my transparency. I influence the good, the bad and the ugly in the most positive way I can in that moment. I don’t just cut their hair and send them on their way. They learn from me, about life and how it’s ok to be YOU and not anyone else. To my potential clients: you’re going to love me and everything I come with including a fade that’ll most definitely get you laid :) Book with me and let’s grow together!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Competing in barber battles has definitely helped me get exposed and also gain new clients. Networking at shows, posting consistently on social media, updating my audience on important events or small and big wins in my life but also my losses as well. Going to educational barber classes has helped me a lot when it came to little tips and tricks for my cuts to look better. The extra knowledge from others always helps!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Lessons are not fun! But we NEED them to grow of course. Something I learned that I had to unlearn was to just DO YOU! Just because other people are doing something it doesn’t mean you have to do it too!! It’ll feel like a job keeping up with others. Their journey is NOT your journey. Separate yourself from others, show the world who you truly are without being ashamed of yourself. Be original. Not everyone will rock with you and that’s ok, they don’t have to. Learning to do things my own way has made me the happiest.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.styleseat.com/m/v/lucidcutz
- Instagram: @lucidcutz
- Youtube: honestlylucid1111
