Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shaneka “Elle” Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Shaneka “Elle” thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?
At 13, middle school age, I was my first client. People, adults and kids my age would ask me who styled my hair, and when I would tell them “me”, they didn’t believe me. By the time I got to high school, I had also started styling one of my cousin’s hair. We would try a new style every week with inspiration from hair magazines and some of the hairstylists here in Savannah. Of course people would then ask her who styled her hair and she would refer them to me. She became my walking billboard and speaking voucher for my talent. There were still many that didn’t believe, they thought she was lying because we were related. After admiring my cousin and my hair for some time, a classmate from our school asked if I could style her hair. Of course I said yes, and the next day after school I had all of my tools in her parent’s living room having fun in her hair! She loved her hair and I collected my first ten dollars. The feeling of being paid to do something I liked to do really intrigued me and lit a fire for me to continue to pursue!
Shaneka “Elle”, 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?
Funny story……My mom used to style my hair in different ways all the time, but I had to fire her after she performed a relaxer service that traumatized me. (Disclaimer: no hair was loss, no scalp was burned and no child was hurt). Of all the other times my mom had done my hair, this experience was different. Let’s just say that the processing time was too long for my liking and I thought I was not going to have any hair after it was rinsed and neutralized. I ran from my house to my aunt’s house, (the next street over), to get her to rinse the relaxer from my hair. Do you know that by the time I reached my aunt’s house that my mom had called and told her not to touch my hair until she got there? Lol! I was so angry with the both of them that I asked my mom if I could take over the duties of my hair from that day forward. Surprisingly she said yes! I started to pay close attention to the styles that my peers were wearing at school and I also took visual notes when I would go to the salon with my mother. In paying attention to those things, I learned my likes and dislikes as it pertained to hairstyles, styling, and dryer time (which I hated). Styling my hair was about to be fun! Styling my own hair led to me styling my family, which afforded me plenty of practice then, earning my first payments to style hair while in high school. I was styling my peers and even some of my teachers! After high school the plan was college to study biology while styling hair was to be a side hobby to earn a few extra dollars. Then, I decided that if I were to continue with the hobby, I may as well get licensed. With the support of my family and the push of my clients, I signed up for an apprenticeship at a well-known salon in Savannah. What started as a hobby turned into a passion because in two years I obtained my license, in four years I obtained that Biology degree and today, I have not strayed away from the hair/beauty industry. Want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans…..
Hello! I’m Shaneka Elle Williams. I am a licensed cosmetology professional with over 20 years of experience. I am the owner/operator of a relaxing and rejuvenating space in Savannah, Ga. for women called Weakendz Off Hair Salon. Although we are NOT off on the weekends, we will trim your split ends and even inspire you to cut the weak ends from every area of your life that seems to hold you hostage from achieving a better you!
We provide an array of services from silk presses, classy cuts, extensions (quick weave, sew in, crochet), eyebrow arches, and bridal hair services (in salon and on-site). We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service, healthy hair care and our ability to make our clients feel comfortable, appreciated and confident!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
CONSISTENCY! Even with the world that we live in consumed with technology, my clientele continues to grow through word of mouth. I’m not knocking social sites, billboard or any other forms of advertising. When I speak with clients to inquire how they heard about me, they say someone referred them. Word-of-mouth I think will always be top tier for advertisement. It can make or break your business. It tells the experience behind the pictures and videos and because of that it pushes me to remain consistent in giving each client great results and quality service.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn that I can do everything on my own. It could have stemmed from childhood disappointment, being an eldest sibling or people not contributing to their part in group projects in school. Either way I’ve learned that great leaders are only as the their team. One person cannot be the accountant, receptionist, maintenance, brand strategist, etc. You’ll get burnt out and will be no good for yourself, your family or your business. I used to wait until my back was against the wall to ask for help in my business. Not anymore! Christ is my source, my family and friends are my support and my co-workers and colleagues are my helpmates. You want to go fast…….go alone………want to go far enlist help.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.weakendzoffhair.com
- Instagram: @weakendzoffhair
- Facebook: @weakendzoffhairsalon
