Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Walker.

Hi Robin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Wow. I feel like I knew this day would come, when I would share a huge piece of my story but yikes. As I stated in my last interview with BoldJourney- I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa. Several months prior to me turning 20-years-old, I was in college; changing my major every semester since freshman year. At the time I didn’t want to be in school. My dad passed away the previous year, in 2014. The only reason I was taking classes is because my mom told me I had to after I graduated. I had no idea, what I wanted to do in life; which is normal 98% of individual’s under the age of 25-years-old. So I decided, in Spring semester of 2015- that I needed a break. I was just on autopilot for the previous two years. I finished out the spring semester and said I was not going to register for summer courses because there was absolutely no point. It was in that moment, when I started making my own choices in life. I began deciding what was best for me! I never was someone that liked being controlled or told what to do.

My mom wasn’t handling having adult children very well at the time. I am the youngest of three girls. It’s me and my older sisters Lorraine and Sylvia. With all that I was trying to figure out for myself, my mom and I just weren’t compatible. She felt she knew what was best for all of us, like any mother and the truth is, she didn’t. When I was about 11-years-old, I use to tell my sisters- “Mommy is not going to run my life, like she does yall’s; when I turn 18”. It sounds funny now but I meant every word. About one month into summer vacation, I was enjoying my life. I had different friend groups and was enjoying my time just working and hanging out. I needed to just let go. School and work was always my life, ever since I was able to work at 16. My first job was McDonald’s in Kennedy township. By the time I moved out of my mom’s house, I was working at a daycare called “Ms. K’s Daycare”, making $8 an hour. I still worked there for a little after I moved but the commute to there and where I was living was just too far without a car.

I moved in with my partner at the time. They were at a bit of a crossroad in life as well. We were both living in this apartment without any furniture and eating freezer hash browns for our meals. We slept on the floor and deflated air mattress’s for just under one year. We were both dealing with unbalanced emotions- it was a sometimes abusive relationship. But I was raised watching abusive dynamics, so of course I had to go through a couple karmic relationships like that. I moved out of that apartment right before the new year. Twenty-years-old, was an expansive year. I became a supervisor at Starbucks on Pitt campus, before the location’s grand opening. Before I revisited my relationship with God- I was going to group meeting’s at Western Psych, up the street from my job. I was trying to find myself and didn’t realize yet that the only help I needed was God in my life.

I attended the meeting’s for a short time because people loved my hair and outfits. And I loved compliments. I always wore hair color, piercings and v-necks and back then; Starbucks didn’t allow any of those things. However, I always ran the show and I just let other’s think that they did. Even billion dollar corporation’s couldn’t get me to conform because I knew what I was hip and fresh. Starbucks was still very dry and stiff in style. Anyway’s I was fired in June of 2016 because of my fabulous trendsetting style. The same day I was fired, I went back to my Grandma’s and signed up for Barber School; right on my smart phone. Two months later after I was fired I went into a different Starbucks, the Barista’s were wearing blue jeans and PURPLE HAIR. Just a little “Fun Fact”, I ran so their employees after me could walk.

I was starting Barber School in September of 2016. I went to night school, so the program was for one year. I had THEE BEST barber teacher, Ms. Jackee’ Mitchell. About five months after I finished barber school, I began working at my first barbershop- called “Three Generations Barbershop”. I had ‘0″ clients and made $20 my first week. I didn’t give up, I was in the barbershop day and night, waiting on a dollar. Fast forward, the word about me started to get out and people were coming to me to get serviced. I eventually saved enough money to rent my very own apartment and invest in myself. My landlord (Wahad), was the shop owner and he fixed up the apartment like a dollhouse for me. It meant everything to 22-year-old me and still does. I eventually moved on from his barbershop because I wanted to grow in my craft. I moved to the Legendary, “Bat’s Barbershop” owned by Kevin “Batman” Andrews in 2019. I grew in faith and in my career being in the presence of Mr. Bat. He accepted me, when I was untrained in life and uncouth lol I could go on and on, about the positive impact that he made in my life. He’s not with us anymore but he’s most certainly gone in the flesh but never forgotten.

It was when I left Mr. Bat’s shop, that I became an entrepreneur. That’s when I opened “Robin Walker’s Barber Salon” studio. I also spoke about that in my last interview with BoldJourney, so I won’t get too much into it. I just want to wrap this interview up by saying, no matter what your life looks like or was like in the past; never stop betting on yourself. I have been betting on myself ever since I dropped out of college in 2015. Even though I re-enrolled back 2022 because I was older, more mature and had clarity on what I needed to do. But, my point is never stop learning. When you stop learning, you stop growing and you mind as well be dead at that point. It’s because of my Creator and the wonderful mentors that He has placed in my life, is why I am where I am. Choosing to walk in my Purpose. I’ve done it all and everything people are doing in the Barber Industry, I did it– plus some and set the bar high. I’m always rooting for the self-employed though. Barber school saved my life. I hope someone else has a similar connection to the industry besides money,

I am now 29-years-old and i’m more focused on what God has for me to do. Robin Walker Rebranding’s is my purpose. Helping guide other’s towards their passion and purpose. Passion and Purpose can be communicated through your business, how you connect with others and how you impact the world. Of course your “life” is the number one way of being connected to your purpose. People need me, whether they like it or not. We’re all here on God’s time. I’m here to help people recognize the true way of living in the earth…Purpose and Compassion.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It most certainly has not been a smooth road. When you follow God and you put Him first in your identity- you get backstabbed, bruised heels and broken hearts. But those things only happen to show you how good God truly is. I had to forgive myself and others several times. The only struggle was learning, not to lead by my own understanding. When you get promoted, you have to learn not to be shaken. The higher the calling, the bigger the earthquake. Understanding that God’s plan is the best plan, is one of the hardest things we all have to accept. Beautiful things only come from the Most High. Aameen!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I will elaborate a bit more because i’m passionate. But be sure to read the first part of this interview. Robin Walker Rebranding’s offers the things that fall under Purpose.. Life, Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Business Etiquette Training. You have to be trained for your purpose to surface. Also, Creative Direction- i’m a Creative Director at heart. I’m most proud of how i’ve grown, my ability to accept things and people for who and what they are. I’m also proud of being the first Muslim woman, that BoldJourneyMag has interviewed and my first eBook called “The Psychology Behind Rebranding”.

What sets me apart? Hmm well I am as authentic as it gets and I don’t care what people think. If choosing integrity every time, makes me an outcast. So be it. No one can do what I can do and how efficiently I can do it. When you work for the Almighty, you want to perfect what it is, that you’re doing. That’s it.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
If you’re talking about California, i’ve never been but can’t wait to visit. It’ll probably be for a business trip initially. I want to try all kinds of food and I want to go shopping.

Pricing:

• Life coaching $90
• Entrepreneurship $90
• Business Etiquette $150
• Leadership $200
• Group Coaching (Starting) $500

Contact Info:

• Website: https://robinwalkerrebrandings.godaddysites.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robinwalkerrebrandings_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobinWalker
• Other: https://pillar.io/robinwalkerrebrandings

Image Credits
Robin Walker.