Check Out Keshia Darden’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keshia Darden.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Keshia Darden was born and raised in the Duarte-Monrovia area; she is the proud wife of Steve Darden, mother of 2 sons Diondre, Damion (Kiani) & 2 bonus children Stevie (Darius) and Dallas (Kayla). and 4 grand children Camauri , Cayleigh, Noa & Jaiani. She is the Owner of Simply Divine Salon, Barbershop, Academy, Beauty Supply as well as Simply Provide foundation. Keshia has worked in the beauty industry for over 30 years, she opened her own salon shortly after beauty school in 1993.

As a salon owner, after opening Simply Divine Keshia always continued to educate herself by attending business building and beauty workshops including training at Citrus College to become a Cosmetology Instructor. Keshia completed her Master’s Degree from Azusa Pacific University while working as an adjunct Professor for local Community Colleges. For the last 20+ years she taught students in a variety of subjects in the cosmetology and barbering industry. Keshia has trained people to be licensed in cosmetology, esthetician, manicuring and barbering .She decide to share her knowledge with future beauty industry professionals and opened her very own beauty and barber school ( 325 W Huntington Dr. Monrovia Altadena location opening fall 2025). Keshia works with the board of Barbering and Cosmetology to assist apprenticeship students as well as traditional beauty and barber school students in becoming licensed. She has a heart to not only educate but to mentor, coach and guide others to be successful in the beauty industry.

After years of being a Hairstylist and educator, Simply Divine Beauty Supply was launched. The beauty Supply has 2 locations. Simply Divine Beauty Supply Monrovia 301 W. Huntington drive, and Altadena Ca. 421 E Woodbury Rd.

For the last 18 years annually she volunteers by providing haircut services for the Foothill Unity Center as well as host her own back to school event inside of her barbershop. With the help of her students and licensed stylist/barbers they have assisted kids in getting ready for the first day of school with fresh haircuts and school supplies.

Keshia has started a barbershop “Book reading” program to encourage kids to pick up a book and read while waiting for their haircut. The kids are then expected to tell the barber what they read about and they are also able to take the books home. This program is something that not only the parents but the kids look forward to participating in. The most recent addition to the Simply Divine Brand is called “Simply Provide Foundation” This is a mobile unit that provides haircuts for less fortunate families as well as kids that cannot come in to the barbershop for a haircut . The type of kid that receives this service is autistic or in the hospital.

Keshia has a heart to give back the Community that she grew up in and to the people in the community as well.
Recognitions
• 2021-Excellence In Workforce Development
• 2019- Small Business of Distinction
• 2019-Small Business Women of The Year
• 2019-Women In Business Honoree

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This career has been not been smooth, I started off as a single parent doing the best I could to provide for my children. Self employment does not always bring a set consistent income. GOD has provided and kept the business all of these years. My latest struggle was the attempt to expand the beauty supply in Pasadena to a larger location in Altadena and adding a second location of Simply Divine Academy ( Beauty and barber school)..My Husband Steve and I took a HUGE leap of faith and secured the new building and opened the Beauty Supply ( working on the build out of the Academy next door) The move Happened in September 2024 , Working on growing the business and letting the local community know that the Beauty Supply was now open, the Altadena Eaton Canyon fires burned down over 80% of the Community. The Building that we were in was not burned but was severely damaged by the winds causing water and smoke damage. The majority of the items in the school and some items of the Beauty supply were destroyed. We are back opened in the beauty supply and Planning to open the Academy in fall 2025 . We know that GOD has a plan for our lives and our business and we trust his plan

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Beauty School Owner and Beauty Supply Owner. What sets me apart from others is that I am a Black women , these business are typically asian owned

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I opened Simply Divine when i was 18

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simplydivine1.com
• Instagram: simplydivineacademy, simplydivinebeautysupply
• Facebook: same
• Yelp: same