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

Hi Yana, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

How did you learn to do what you do?
I can honestly say, in regard to both PERFORIMING & HAIR BRAIDING, what I do is God given talent, mixed with consistency, years of trial and error, support and resilience.
It has been me just figuring things out as I go. Hell, I’m STILL learning lol.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?

I wish I would have believed in myself sooner. There are a few contributing factors as to why an adult would be slow to believe in themselves, some of which affected me for sure, but I do wish I realized I was a badass sooner.
Somehow in my journey, as a child, I allowed outside noise to silence my dreams and beliefs. I’m so grateful I found my “hell yea” again. It has done me so much good!

What skills do you think were most essential?
It’s funny: what you think would be obvious skills needed to be a SUCCESSFUL singer/performer/stylist is different than what is usually mentioned.
Yes, you should be skilled in your craft however, you need proper communication skills, problem solving, adaptability, organizational skills, emotional intelligence, just to name a few, lol. (I could definitely keep going *wipes forehead*

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

In some cases, it could be resources. It’s a true sentiment that you must be willing to inve$t in yourself. There are people in rooms that well, it costs a little to get into in order to get information you need to move forward.

OVERALL, however, the biggest obstacle had been myself when it comes to learning more. You must also know that everything you learn, may or may NOT apply to you on your journey. There is no specific path to any goal. There is however, one consistent theme though when mastering your craft: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

Yana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Well, I am Yana Renea . I am gifted entrepreneur. Not only am I a Licensed Hair Braider, I am performer, singer, songwriter & dancer from the Southside of Chicago, Illinois. I have been doing all the above since the age of 8.
I taught myself how to braid on my own head of hair (image what that looked like lol) and well, I just started singing and dancing one day until it was good enough to show people lol.

I’ve been performing in front of audiences and braiding hair in my neighborhood for as long as I can remember.
Whether in the church choir, dancing as a praise dancer or in other ministries the church provided, I was there. Not to mention in school, and in neighborhood dance teams, performing has been my life.

Today, I ultimately perform R&B (Rhythm &Blues), occasional pop genre at my performances. I provide an escape for my audience, where your problems don’t matter because you’re too busy having a great time.

As a braider, it helps me fund my music career and allows me the flexibility I need for bookings. They really do work hand in hand together, I’m super grateful to do both.

I am most proud of my ability to use BOTH gifts. As I answer these questions now, I don’t think I realized how strenuous both Industries are and to be able to say that I am pretty successful at doing both is such a BLESSING. My God, I think I’ve just felt a jolt of gratefulness. lol

I think what sets me apart from others is that well, I do my best to not worry about others. I am human, so of course social media has my mind spiraling at times on what else can I do to be the next viral sensation, but when you define your success by YOU it helps quiet the noise.

I would be lying if I didn’t say, I want my music to be heard by millions of people, or that I didn’t want the followers to match (@yana_renea), or even to have that viral hair style that keeps people on my hair page (@yanabraids) SHAMELSS PLUG! LOL
BUT what I find is that, I am a booked, licensed hair braider, who has amazing customer service and quality neat braids, always willing to grow & learn. I am an INDEPENDENT artist who captivates audiences, provides quality shows EVERY performance and has performed on pretty big stages and festivals. I’ve made TV appearances, danced behind Jennifer Hudson, sold out my own concert, and I’m just getting started.

I think the biggest thing I want anyone reading this to take away from me is “DO WHAT YOU WANT!” and Choose the world you want and make it pretty!”

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I first quit my job at Sherwin Williams paint company to pursue my singer career. I told myself I was going to drive UBER to sustain my living costs. I thought the journey would be easy and that I would “BLOW UP” within a years time.

That did not happen.

Expenses got higher than my income, life got bigger than my dreams. I had to go back to work.

PLOT TWIST- I quit my 9 to 5 job again eventually and finally found what works for me. I am building my success and am happy where I am now.

It takes money to make money, no dream has come to fruition without some sort of investment or support of some sort. If it isn’t immediately given to you, you have to go look for it.

Do NOT let social media tell you the journey is easy, I promise you, you will have to pick your HARD, just make sure, whatever your hard is….when the deed is done, there is a smile on either receiving end. That’s the thing that makes it all worth it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Think of the world without creative people in it.

Is there a book to read? A show to watch? Is there a game to play? Is there music to be played? What does your clothing look like? Is your hair done? Are parties fun?
Creatives are more essential than we get credit for, it’s all a mindset thing.
If non-creatives and creatives could join together, we’d find we can’t have one without the other.

Creatives sometimes lack the business knowledge to sustain ourselves for long haul. It’s the respect & knowledge of non-creatives that could help with acquiring that skill, and the willingness for us creatives to be open & listen.

We should respect all journeys :-)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/yanarenea
• Instagram: @Yana_renea & @yanabraids
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yanarenea
• Other: Tik Tok-: Yanareneamusic

  Yanabraider

Image Credits

photo with cream boots (not back bend photo): Juma Sutton- moonlightsphotography30

Red Hair Action photo- Brandon Collier-@_bdon3

Beauty Supply Photo/ Silver Jacket: @Sydsweetbeat