Check Out Neesha Colvin’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Neesha Colvin.

Hi Neesha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Hello my name is Neesha. I am the owner of Simplicity Beauty and More, located in Camarillo CA. I am originally from the South Side of Oxnard. I grew up in poverty, but I knew there was more for me. I was encouraged by the elders and mentors that helped as a child. Their response to my expressions of gratitude was “Don’t thank me, just make sure when you grow up, you make something of yourself”. I wanted to make sure I made something of myself.

I faced many hardships during that time. Witnessing death, gang violence, police brutality was several of the things I was exposed to as a child. My mother did the best she could do with what she had. She did an amazing job at raising not only all of us (her biological children) but extended family members as well, all on her own, “Thanks”, Mom!

I started off braiding my own hair. Then progressed to doing Dutch braids on members of my youth basketball team’s hair. Quickly that grew to braiding my teammates hair on game days before the game. It was therapeutic and helped me with the pre-game jitters.

My very first salon employment was at Nikko’s Hair Studio in Ventura, California. In order to be at work at 8am, I took the bus from the southside of Oxnard at 5:40am, only to arrive in Ventura, at 7:45am. I was taught many things during my employment at Nikko’s from how to run a business to intricate hair techniques.

I remember being taught many things about myself by my community. Something as simple as being introduced to a character in a movie. Bo Derek shocked the world with her appearance in the 1979 movie, 10.  She wore a nude-colored swimsuit and hair braided into cornrows, adorned with beads on the ends. She was initially criticized by mainstream America. I remember feeling like it was amazing to have a celebrity of non-African decent embrace our culture with a protective hair style. Making it okay for non-African Americans to wear braids. The “Bo Derek braids” was highly requested by customers. My lesson came when I began to copy Derek’s hairstyle. I was told it took two women, 10 hours to do her hair. Surprisingly, it had only taken me 4.5 hours, single handedly. From there I became super confident in my work! (Yeee)

A few years later, I moved to Camarillo, CA where I worked in various salons for five years. It was hard on my clients and myself alike. Culturally, we weren’t accepted by the other stylist’s patrons. Their clients would make at least 5 racial comments daily. One frequent offensive question was “Can you even wash your hair with that style”? Nonetheless, my clients have been one of my greatest sources of support.

I started creating a buzz within the community and learned quickly that when you’re thriving in your own lane people think that your success is offensive to them. The heat from jealousy had become so in my face that it took the joy out of doing what I loved to-do. I decided to take a lengthy break from my art. Thinking that if I did, people would leave me alone. I was outnumbered, exhausted and annoyed by how unsupportive by my own culture was at that time. I’ve always stayed in my own lane and did my thing. I learned then that success comes with a nasty price. At that time, I just wanted peace. Keep in mind I dealt with an uphill battle most of my life.

Two years had gone by and a good friend of mine asked me to do her hair and when I did, I discovered how much I missed doing hair. So, I started back up with a better mindset and a mentor. I’d received so much support and decided to get back to it. I have been thriving ever since. Hard work always pays off.

I came back stronger and knew that my art was loved by others!!! I was also taught by my Uncle Andy, Grandmother Georgie B. and my mother that no matter what I do, people will always be jealous because they weren’t taught not to be.

I now own my own establishment “Simplicity Beauty and More” located in Camarillo, CA where we excel in diversity, we service every hair texture I have been in business ten years this June . We provide services such as gel nails, pedicures, locs, color, perms, natural hair, straightening clipper cuts, precision cuts and a array of countless braid styles. The possibilities are endless. In the salon, we play a plethora of music where staff and clients alike part take place in impromptu karaoke. When you look good yah feel good.

In my downtime. I enjoy spending time with my family, painting, sketching gardening, writing poems and listening to music which all I find to be so therapeutic. When I am not doing the above, I enjoy expanding my education with hair. The industry is forever changing so I try to take at minimum four training classes a year.

One of my favorite quotes is “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.” – Zen

I love to help mentor and support others. My hustle game is strong. I have worked for everything I have, with little to no support. I want to be a part of the change to let others know it is okay to support and work with others. There’s enough money out here for all of us to eat. Let’s build each other up!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Things are not smooth as life isn’t smooth. When you are building your business, you’ll experience a million obstacles in the way. These are nothing more than distractions. I have a heart of gold, but you must maintain certain business standards to keeps your business successful. You can’t trust everyone to keep their word. I have always been solid and have learned from every mistake along the way.

My advice to anyone reading this is to be aware of comparisons. Comparison is truly the thief of joy. It’s easy to get distracted by what those around you are doing. Spending too much time being consumed by what others are doing will negatively influence your own output — paralyzing either the quality or pace. Comparing yourself to others is not ever a fair way to measure your progress in life. Instead, look at your previous work or efforts from two years ago or even as recent as six months ago and compare that to where you are now. Comparing yourself to your past self is the best indicator of your progress and how far YOU have come. There will be people who are more successful than you. It’s natural to be bewildered as to “how”.

Chances are they have probably been in the game longer than you. They have likely had more time to build a foundation for their business. I encourage anyone to spend your time, energy and focus in the right places. This should be a motivator to buckle down and get to work! No excuses! The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll be at that level you aspire. As humans, we’re good at downplaying our successes. There’s always someone who’s achieved greater success than us — so why should we celebrate? Leading competitors are there because they lead the way, not because they followed. Don’t allow an individual to hold the keys to your success. Take your continuous educational courses perhaps at least two per year. Set goals and accomplish them by rewarding yourself with each step you take towards your goals. Learn to block out that outside noise also known as distractions.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I specialize in mentoring within the hair industry and specialize in natural hair from A-Z. The salon is known as the home of the “Organic Green Juice”. A medicated organic product line I personally make from all organic oils and herbs. Our medicated gro oil is the ultimate grow oil. This oil contains all the natural organic ingredients. It helps heal your scalp, cure dandruff, hydrate hair, and promote hair growth. This product soothes, nourishes & stimulates hair growth.

This truly is an all-in-one hair oil.

1.) It restores hair loss,

2.) Skin Topic (Fights eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis)

3.) Brings volume back to your hair

4.) Can be used as a heat protectant

The Gro Hair Oil is suitable for everyone from kids to adults. I have just recently launched an organic beard softener, protein leave in conditioner, body butter all developed from the gro oil. All products are organic and truly work. Check out our reviews or stop in for a sample. You can order online at www.simplicitybeautyandmorellc.com.

Any big plans?

My plans for my future are to expand my product line and start offering certified loctician courses at Simplicity. I like to continue to give back to the community of Ventura County, by providing exceptional haircare and mentoring anyone interested. I have clients commuting from Los Angeles as far as San Luis Obispo. We are in high demand and are hiring. Reach out if you are interested and passionate.

Special thanks to Terrell Garrett for this opportunity and everyone that’s supported me along the way. I am truly grateful for you all! I sincerely like to thank all the ladies at Simplicity, without you, none of this would be possible. Thank you to all the patrons of Simplicity. Thank you for supporting our small business.

Pricing:

• $35 for Medicated Gro Oil. TONS OF reviews and proven results it’s like the Gatorade of all oils as it quenches your tresses
• $20 Organic Rice Water leave in conditioner

Contact Info:

• Email: Management@simplicitybeautyandmorellc.com
• Website: www.simplicitybeautyandmorellc.com
• Instagram: Simplicity805
• Facebook: @simplicitybeautyandmore
• Other: https://www.simplicitybeautyandmorellc.com/product-page/medicated-oil https://simplicity-beauty-and-more-llc.myshopify.com/products/shanaishas-medicated-gro-oil

Image Credits:
I have taken all photos or pictures of myself in white were taken by: Adrian Insanity and Terrell Garnett.