Behind the Chair: Me, My Hair, My Business

I just picked up a couple of pairs of scrubs for the upcoming conference. It’s more than just looking professional. It’s stepping into a mindset of guidance and mentorship. I’m creating space to learn from other stylists, get my own hair done, and soak up techniques and insight. Funny thing? My business degrees actually make this work make sense. Who knew all those finance classes would come in handy calculating braids per hour?

I started off dorm based, then apartment based. Almost a decade in, my tools, my craft, my passion have followed me everywhere, filling in the gaps life didn’t. Home wasn’t exactly structured; I was basically running my own show and excited for every new experience that came my way. Small suites, tiny shops, big name salons, each stop taught me something new. Every client, late night, and random workshop was a puzzle piece.

Some days, I’m Joan, calculating, strategic, untouchable. Some days, I’m Lynn, trusting my gut, figuring it out as I go. If you’ve ever seen Girlfriends, you know the energy.

Entrepreneurship is wearing all the hats. Customer service, marketing, sales, content creation, networking, investing in yourself, thinking about the next product before the first one even launches. Some days it’s exhilarating. Other days? Exhausting. The unpredictability can be scary, the hours long, consistency a challenge. But every struggle is a lesson, every challenge an opportunity to level up.

I catch myself thinking what if I’d gone straight to cosmetology school? No debt, no other paths pulling me in different directions. What if I’d had resources in school, or guidance at home to chase passions? None of that existed, and somehow, that’s what made me resourceful. I’ve learned to turn gaps into growth, challenges into skill, and curiosity into opportunity.

Support has mattered. My sisters? They’re the real MVPs, logos, flyers, photoshoots, hype squads extraordinaire. Family? I love them, but advice isn’t really the point. This isn’t their lane. Guidance comes from people who’ve walked the path, survived the grind, and built something real.

The work keeps teaching me. Stitch braids, client connections, marketing strategies, networking, and upcoming digital projects are all part of the climb. Six figures by 2026? Not a dream, a plan. Every step, every client, every lesson matters.

I’m still learning, still building, and seeing progress makes it worthwhile.