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

Hi Traquinta, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

Growing up I’ve always been surrounded by hairstylists in my family or with older cousins who did their own hair. My mom in particular was a beautician and due to her being a single parent majority of my time after school was spent in the salon with her while she worked. As I got older I started paying more attention to the things she did with her clients while also doing my own research on YouTube. By the time I was in high school I started experimenting with my own hair and fell in love with extensions. I was already wearing extensions prior to entering the 9th grade, it’s just in high school I was doing more of it on my own. I worked in retail so the little money I had at the time would be spent on on weave. I always received a lot of compliments on my hair and would do close friends of mine out of boredom. Crazy enough I never would’ve thought I would take on being a hairstylist as a career choice which is why I decided to go to a 4 year college institution and pursue a degree instead. I remember my first week of college we had to partake in freshman orientation/camp and the first day of it of course we had to give introductions. So as the girls are stating their name, hometown, major and what they do I’m standing there just thinking about my answer; like word vomit, when it was my turn I included that I was a hairstylist when in reality I honestly wasn’t interested in carrying that part of my life with me to school. I thought everyone in the room would’ve forgotten that I even said that but surprisingly enough they remember and I started doing hair when needed. At that time it definitely wasn’t on a consistent basis which was okay for me because my schedule was tight due to school. Fast forward to junior year when I started taking it seriously I made an Instagram page and my clientele started growing even when I graduated from college. Looking back on things from today i honestly wouldn’t change anything about the time I started because it molded my business into everything it is today. I’m currently undergoing the process of a rebrand because it’s just time but I honestly wouldn’t change the time I got started at all.

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

QuinnBeDoing Hair is a hair installation business ran by me, Quinn. I customize in glue less closures installs, natural sew-ins, frontal install and more. The Raw Hair Temple is a upcoming hair extension line that me and my partner have been working on for months and will soon be released to the public. As far as QBDH, what sets me apart from everybody else are my glue less installs. Women nowadays are wanting looks that’ll still keep their hair underneath healthy. Though my frontals aren’t glueless they still receive the same proper care. I’m honestly most proud about the feedback and interaction I’m receiving from my Instagram page recently. If you’re on Instagram frequently you know they’re always changing things up. As a business owner, it’s my responsibility to keep up with the new trends in order to gain more exposure. Though I’m still the underdog in the hair game I want readers to know that it’s only going to get better around here. I can’t say too much but just know that QBDH & The Raw Hair Temple will be making buzz around Houston pretty soon. For my future clients, I specialize in hair extensions services for right now, so if you’re looking for a sleek install I GOT you.

Aside from hair in 2023 I really want to touch basis with content creating my everyday life and the journey of a hairstylist in hopes to inspire others because this experience hasn’t been the easiest. In this society we’re moving so far away from real authenticity when it comes to content creating and I want to be apart of the percentage that people can relate to. When they watch my videos I want it to feel like home. Venturing out with new things/ideas it’s always good to hit a reset button to regroup and ground yourself just to prepare for the work that has to be put in.

How’d you meet your business partner?

It’s not really a long story but one of my clients introduced me to this esthetician who was well known on social media and at that time I was interested in changing my skincare routine so I booked an appointment for my birthday. Her and I clicked instantly so she would come get her hair done by me and I would go to her for a facial as needed. Not only is she an esthetician but she’s a woman with many businesses so when she asked me to be the face of a hair extension business we drafted up a contract I agreed to the terms and we’ve been in buisness going on a year and a half now.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Charging my worth! I’ve had this issue for so long and still dealing with it til this very day. It stems from me starting my business in college and charging what people could afford back then. Now that I’m a graduate and way more advanced in my career my pricing should reflect that but it doesn’t. Imposter syndrome much ? Definitely. Getting over something like this definitely takes time but at the end of the day you have to do what’s right for you. Clients will come and go so it’s best to just do for yourself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Quinnathyy
• Other: TikTok @Quinnbedoing_hair