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

Shunita , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I always knew I wasn’t meant to work in a typical 9-5 type of job. I am a dreamer. I believe you should do what makes you happy and the money will come. I started doing my own hair at the age of 11. I will never forget I was fake curling my bangs with a comb and it got stuck in my hair. My first reaction was to try and untwist it but that didn’t work, so I took some scissors and cut it out. I knew at that moment, a: I was going to get in trouble and b: it was only hair and would grow back.. savage, lol. This entire situation planted a seed that ultimately help blossom the person I am today. I started doing my older sister hair, friends and even family, although I was no expert people seen I had a passion and was good at it.

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

Like most little girls playing dress up and styling my dolls hair was fun to me. Some things just come naturally to people and that is me with hair. My mom specialized in ponytails, lol so my aunties where mainly responsible for doing my sister and I hair. I would sit and watch them and shockingly I hated getting my hair done. I would cry and be the main person in the mirror swinging my barrettes. By the age of 11, I was doing my sister and I hair, as well as friends. Sometime in 2007, my sister had a boyfriend that expressed he wanted a cut. So I said I can do it, although I never cut anyone’s hair before. Let’s just say I messed him up lol. However, what I did not know, is that I planted a seed that would later grow. Fast forward, I moved to Florida in 2010 to attend graduate school. I completed my Master’s degree in Entertainment Business and began my career in radio. Throughout my time, I would always switch my hairstyles up and this started making people interested in me doing their hair. Although that was fun, that still wasn’t what I desired. Finally in 2013, I enrolled in cosmetology school and found a passion for the barbering side. Although I was good at doing women’s hair, I loved the challenge of providing men’s grooming services. I honestly can say, I withdrew from hair school three times before I took this seriously. I allowed my own thoughts and others to make me think this wasn’t a good career choice and that I should just get a 9-5 with benefits. After working years in corporate, I seen that I was truly unhappy. I started researching women in the barbering industry and started studying them. I watched YouTube videos and followed many Instagram barbers. That’s when I knew this was the industry for me. I signed up for barbering school and my journey began. I officially took my state board exam August 2019 and have been licensed for 3 years now. I have learned so much and I’m so excited to grow in this industry. I have met so many people and have grew as a person in my faith, my skills and my career.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first started out in the Barbering industry many barbershop owners would not respond to my inquiries about working in their shop. It frustrated me, but I kept applying. I also had challenges with men not believing I could do the services, and most importantly finding ways to make consistent money to survive. Although those challenges were hard, I kept fighting and cultivating my skills. It took time for me to find my niche and how I could stand out, but everyday I continue to build my confidence and practice my craft. My name The Beat Barber was developed by my best friend Sherae and I. I am truly a girly girl. I love makeup and wanted to stand out in this male driven industry, not just a barber but a lady barber. So my best friend said, why don’t you call yourself, “The Beat Barber”! Beat stood for, “I keep my face beat to the Gods” lol. I am most proud that I kept my brand consistent and never compromised my values or customer service. My goal was to let people know that they are getting an experience, not just a haircut. I’m blessed to have both men and women clients.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is that I get to meet all kinds of people with different backgrounds and values. I get to make them feel and look their best. I am a counselor, a prayer warrior, a friend or just a listening ear. This career is more than just hair for me. It’s an experience, an opportunity to change someones life with one touch.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _thebeatbarber

Image Credits
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