We caught up with the brilliant and insightful LaShaunda Lofton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

LaShaunda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

As a child, my parents instilled matters and efffective communication. Those two basic principles have paved the way for me. My matters extend way beyond a please and a thank you. It goes as far as treating people the way, I want to be treated. Being honest, and having integrity even when no one is looking. The effective communication has been vital, especially as a professional because I am a firm believer that open communication between me & the guest is vital in achieving the optimum results. I make sure that my guest know their opinions are valued & heard.

LaShaunda, 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?

La’Shaunda M. Lofton is a Cosmetology graduate of Durham Beauty Academy, located in Durham, North Carolina. As a child, she aspired to become a hairstylist. Once she had the opportunity to style her own hair, she truly enjoyed it. La’Shaunda has been styling hair for family, friends, and clients for over 14 years. She has been a professional stylist for 12 years. La’Shaunda finds gratification in helping others feel better about themselves, especially when they love their “new” look. Blow Outs are her favorite style, although she strives to make “healthy” hair no matter the texture her main priority.

La’Shaunda makes it her goal to offer professional beauty services in a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Open communication between the stylist and the client is vital in achieving optimum results, therefore Lofton makes sure her guests know that their opinions are always valued and heard. She keeps up on day to day trends, maintains her certifications with the highest level of training, and works with clients to come up with styles to meet their individual needs. As a part of being a servant leader, she takes time at least twice a week to travel to different rest homes, and hospitals to service individuals who could not come and visit her.

September 2020, La’Shaunda introduced to the world La’Shaunda Monique Beauty Brand. She has 15 Top Shelf Healthy hair care products, Anti-Breakage Bonnet, Lip gloss, and so much more. She strongly believes that her knowledge is her legacy. She even wrote the book “Putting Emphasis on the basics” where she empowers business professionals, to avoid pitfalls and develop success in their billion dollar industry. Its all about building wealth, with simple strategy.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my audience on social media by being myself, and word of mouth. There is enough “fake” characters in the world that I don’t desire to be the next. I also do challenges between my customers to see how many people they can add to our page, and group. The advice I would give to anyone starting out is to be the real authentic you, educate, and have fun.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing your clientele is to be responsive. Whether it’s a social media post, email, and or voicemail people need to know that you are reachable, and or relatable. Especially when people are tagging you on social media about your work. Always ask yourselg how would you feel with the response if you were on the other end. Your goal to be able to have your customers (all of them) promote you, at all times.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TeamEmphasis.com
• Instagram: www.instragram.com/Emphasis
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lashaundalofton or LaShaunda Monique Beauty Brand

Image Credits
Photography Credits go to 1. Robert “Rob” Saunders 919.986.5558 www.facebook.com/Creativelycapturedimagery 2. Rashaunda Sanders www.facebook.com/Rashaundasanders