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

Alright, Natasha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I came from a loving and supportive family. While my mother wasn’t an entrepreneur, she was an incredibly hard-working woman of faith. She was graceful, humble, and deeply loving. My mother was my foundation, always building my confidence and instilling in me the belief that, with God’s guidance, I could achieve anything I set my mind to. She taught me the power of faith, and her words, “Ask God, and He will guide you,” became a guiding principle in my life.

On my father’s side, entrepreneurship ran deep. My father was a painter, my grandmother and aunts were talented dressmakers, and my grandfather owned his own butcher shop. Many of my uncles had their own businesses as well. From an early age, my father noticed my natural talent and skill with my hands. I vividly remember him telling me, “Many people will make money using their heads, but you will make money using your hands. You’re very skilled with them.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand his words and even felt upset, thinking he was suggesting I wasn’t smart. But as I grew older, I realized he wasn’t doubting my intelligence—he was recognizing and celebrating my gift.

My father was full of wisdom and constantly encouraged me to strive for excellence in everything I did. One piece of advice that stuck with me was: “Treat every job like it’s your last, and you’ll always maintain your clients.” He taught me the value of quality and consistency, which became the foundation of my work ethic.

When I started working with clients, I struggled with confidence, especially when it came to discussing prices. I was shy and found it difficult to assert myself. My father gave me invaluable advice: “Create an environment for your clients that’s welcoming, clean, comfortable, and entertaining. Make sure they feel cared for, even offering them food if needed. If you do this, you won’t have to worry about your prices—they’ll gladly pay for the experience you provide.”

To help me overcome my fear of discussing prices, my father came up with a brilliant solution. He took a piece of cardboard, wrote down all the styles I offered along with their prices, and hung it on the wall. “Now,” he told me, “when your clients come in, they’ll see the price list for themselves. You won’t have to say a word or feel nervous.” That small act of support gave me the confidence I needed to grow my business.

Another lesson my father taught me was the importance of choosing my clients wisely. He always said, “Not all money is good money. Pick and choose your clients—don’t let the business pick you.” His words taught me the value of maintaining integrity and aligning my work with my values.

Both of my parents shaped me into who I am today. My mother gave me faith, love, and confidence, while my father gave me the tools and mindset to succeed as an entrepreneur. Their lessons continue to guide me, and I’m forever grateful for the impact they’ve had on my life and career.

Natasha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Natasha Cox, and I am a protective braid stylist specializing in micro bob plaits. One of my most popular styles is the Pixie Bob Plaits, a lightweight, flowing hairstyle that’s versatile enough to suit any occasion. Whether dressed up or down, this unique braid style offers my clients both elegance and practicality, giving them the confidence to shine wherever they go.

My journey into braiding began in high school, where I took up cosmetology. As I approached graduation, short hairstyles were all the rage, and I quickly realized how competitive the field was. I remember asking myself, What can I do differently to stand out? That’s when the idea for my signature micro Pixie Bob Plaits was born.

Drawing from my cosmetology training, I already knew how to cut hair and understood its structure. It felt natural to translate these skills into creating a braided style that was both distinctive and original. By introducing this unique technique, I carved out my own niche and no longer had to worry about competing with others. Clients began to notice and appreciate the originality of my work, and my career took off from there.

Over the years, my role has grown far beyond that of a braider. I’ve become a confidante to my clients, sharing in their stories, struggles, and triumphs. I’ve celebrated milestones with them, supported them during tough times, and built lasting relationships. Together, we’ve laughed, cried, and bonded in ways that have made my work deeply meaningful.

I consider myself my clients’ sister keeper, someone they can trust and connect with on a personal level. Braiding is more than just a craft for me—it’s my calling and a gift that God has blessed me with.

What sets my work apart is not just the styles I create, but the experience I provide. I strive to offer a safe, comforting environment where my clients feel valued and beautiful, both inside and out.

Above all, I am most proud of the trust and loyalty my clients have shown me over the years. Their support and stories inspire me to keep perfecting my craft and staying true to what makes my work special.

If you’re looking for more than just a hairstyle—if you want a unique, versatile look paired with a meaningful connection—I’m here to create that experience for you. Braiding isn’t just my profession; it’s my passion and purpose.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

Being an entrepreneur is incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its share of challenges. One of the most difficult moments I faced was during the COVID-19 pandemic when everything shut down. Like so many others, I was classified as a “non-essential worker,” and I was told to close my business indefinitely. I remember the overwhelming fear and uncertainty of that time—wondering how I would pay my bills, keep my business afloat, and support myself.

It was a moment that tested my faith in ways I had never experienced before. The entire world had come to a halt, and for the first time in my career, there was no work to do and no clear path forward. But during this dark time, something incredible happened—my clients showed up for me in ways I could have never imagined.

I would wake up to messages from clients saying, “Tasha, I know you’re not able to work right now, but I want to help.” They would send me money without expecting anything in return, just to support me during the shutdown. Some even told me, “Hold onto this until I can come back and get my hair braided.” Others said, “You’ve sown so much into us, and now it’s our turn to sow into you.”

It was one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences of my life. It reminded me why integrity and genuine care for your clients are so important. For years, I had focused on building relationships with my clients, treating them with respect, and providing them not just with a service, but with a space where they felt valued. And during COVID-19, I saw that love and care reflected back to me in ways that sustained me and my business during one of the hardest times.

While COVID-19 was one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced as a business owner, it was also a time of profound gratitude and validation. It taught me that when you treat people with kindness, work with integrity, and build real connections, it will come back to you, often when you need it most.

Even now, I look back on that time as a testament to the power of community and faith. It’s proof that when you pour into others, they’ll pour back into you. My business survived one of the most uncertain periods in recent history, and I came out of it with a deeper appreciation for my clients, my craft, and the resilience of the human spirit.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building a clientele on social media requires consistency and dedication. You need to stay active and post regularly across multiple platforms to reach a wider audience. I focus on using platforms like Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to showcase my work. Each platform offers a unique way to connect with different audiences, so diversifying your presence is key.

While social media is an essential tool for getting your name out there, I still firmly believe in the power of word-of-mouth referrals. If you provide excellent service, master your craft, and maintain a solid reputation, your clients will naturally spread the word about your work. This organic sharing builds trust and credibility that goes beyond what social media alone can achieve.

In today’s world, however, social media is a major driver of how people discover and evaluate services and products. To make the most of it, you need to stay consistent. Post daily, engage with your audience, and ensure your content reflects the quality of your work. By combining an active social media presence with a strong word-of-mouth reputation, you’ll set yourself apart and grow your audience effectively.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.Braidsbytasha.com
• Instagram: braidsbytasha
• Facebook: Tasha’s Braids
• Yelp: Braids By Tasha
• Other: Pinterest:Braids by Tasha

Image Credits

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