We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nomeka Tyson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nomeka below.

Nomeka, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I remember as a child dreaming of owning my own hair salon and beauty supply store. Although there were obstacles throughout life that could have changed that course, I was able to graduate from beauty school in 2009 to become a licensed cosmetologist. After working from my home for 3 years, I was able to obtain a 1,500 sqft space in the business district of the town I lived in. From December 2011 til May 2021 the business successfully serviced over 200 clients and their families throughout the community. During this time there were issues with the plumbing in the current location that the landlord wasn’t willing to repair at the time so the business was forced to close because of this. With no where to perform services, I was forced to go to my clients homes and service them to the best of my ability until I could find another location. After a month of searching, we found a larger and even more convenient location to expand the business into. The business had just received funding from SBA so we decided to make the move. Although this space was much more expensive and over 8,400 sqft. We felt like it would be a great opportunity to expand the hair salon into beauty supply. After signing the lease in August 2021, we felt like we would have a great start to the business. Especially since we had funding in place. Well after the buildout and paying some of the contractors and working on issues that were needed to be put in place per the inspector. The business funds were fading and fading fast! After persisting for 4 months to get everything in place and paying rent for 3 months with no income we hoped to finally pass inspections. After handling a few final request, We finally received a passing inspection in the beginning of November 2022. The hair salon was furnished and ready to go but the beauty supply portion of the store still needed shelving and inventory to be fully stocked for opening. By this time, most of the funds had been put into purchasing needed equipment and supplies for the salon and the store and to pay the contractors for the work done. With us needing to get back to work and bring in funds to the business just to pay the lease and utilities. We opened the salon portion of the business on November 11th 2022 to the clientele base already created by the business. The business automatically started making money. Even with these funds the business would still require more staff and the much needed inventory to help bring in more funds. The business started a crowdfunding campaign to help raise funds to purchase shelves and inventory and is currently running in pre-launch. The community has been very supportive and looking forward to the new business. Now that the salon is open business is running smoothly but is in a very shaky state. With the lease being due and funds not coming in as fast as needed I’m scared of the risk I have taken. But with faith, consistency and persistence, I will continue to try to build this business into what I have dreamt it to be. This is the biggest risk I have ever taken in my life but I know with my God anything is possible. We shall see how it turns out…

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

My motivation for my job came from a long line of hair stylist and barbers in my family. My grandmother and I use to spend day trips on the weekends at the beauty supply store, just looking through all the fascinating new hair textures and colors and products!

I am very motivated by the smiles and just the thought of making life a little bit easier for my clients even if it is just shampooing and blow-drying there hair every couple weeks.
I remember from a young age maybe 8 yrs old whenever I started pressing, curling and eventually applying extensions to my grandmother’s hair. She used to be so happy when I got done. She would get dressed and tell me get on some clothes were going out! We would get in her 2 door convertible and let the roof back, she would put on her sunglasses turn up her old timey music and say put your seatbelt on we gonna ride lol..I remember that like yesterday. I can still remember the smile on her face Everytime I did her hair, she was so happy and she was so proud of me. That is why I still do this for all my clients. I feel the feeling of accomplishment, gratitude..thanking God I was blessed with such a gift that seems so simple to me but can change the hearts of some if only for a minute.

I attended Sandhills Community College where I graduated in cosmetology in 2009 and went on to NC state board, passed
and is now a licensed cosmetologist. Since I was a young girl, I had always known that I wanted to be a cosmetologist. I learned to braid when I was just 6 years old. Braiding and weaving hair for family and friends for years during my childhood. This gave me the experience and knowledge that I use to run my salon today. I have also taken numerous business courses, in person and online that has given me the business knowledge to keep the business running smoothly and has been since 2007. The business continues
to grow I believe because of the business knowledge the extensive knowledge in the hair care industry. This combined with the customer service skills gained from working in the retail and the food service industry keeps the salon busy with dedicated loyal clients looking for someone they can trust with their family’s haircare services.

I honestly started doing hair right out of my grandmothers kitchen. Yes that’s where it all started! I serviced her, other family members, all her church friends and some of my friends too. That led to several places til l purchased a home in 2009 and ran an in-house hair salon for 3 years until the clientele was too much. Then leased a property on Main Street for almost 12 years with a clientele base of almost 200 clients alone!
The new location is also located in Biscoe. Why? because for one I live here and two, I am thrilled to be able to continue to service the same loyal clients and their families that I have served already for so many years! These clients have continued to show patronage to Mekas Braids and Styles so it’s only right to try to fulfill the needs in an area I’m so very passionate about!!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has definitely been “ word of mouth”. I feel that if you do a great job at what you do, the people will come. I have always tried to provide the best service for every single client I come across. Also treating each and every client like they are your only client is key!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I listen to a lot of podcast and have watched numerous videos about people who have overcame business struggles and how they have grown to be multi million dollar companies. One in particular resource that was introduced to me is The Lean Six Sigma model. This information has been so inspirational for me. It has taught me ways to eliminate waste and reduce variation throughout my business and my life. The lean six sigma way of thinking brings a whole new way to growing my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mekasbraidsandstyles.com
• Instagram: Bizzybossladi2
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mekasbraidsandstyles
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meka%E2%80%99s-braids-and-styles-llc/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/mekat24
• Other: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/2783420

Image Credits
Trust and Believe Photography