Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsie Lyn.
Hi Kelsie , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always done hair and loved to play in makeup as a little girl. At 11, I started to build a clientele of the younger neighborhood kids, then added my peers, and eventually adults. By 18 I had a full clientele built off word of mouth. As I began to move into my 20s, it was my clients that convinced me to get my cosmetology license. They were loving the results they were receiving from my self studies of textured hair. I had never thought of my skills more than just extra money before then.
At 24, I acquired my license at Toni & Guy and immediately began to work study with a celebrity stylist, in her salon. I then built relationships while training in other high end salons of different ethnicities across the city. I knew textured hair, but I wanted to be absolutely comfortable with all types of hair, so anyone could feel confident sitting in my chair. Shortly after that, I went off on my own and rented my first suite in the back of a boutique on Melrose while still training and cultivating relationships with my 1st mentor. I’m very big on continued education, so every year I continued to take classes and learn something new to better serve my clientele while adding to their experience. I definitely had some oops moments but I worked on how to make them better each time.
I took a break for about a year to go on a tour contract and perform. It made me nervous to leave my clientele at first but it was a wonderful experience and just what I needed at the time. I came back to lots of open arms and even new faces. My clientele grew substantially and I began to do more celebrity and set work with the aid of my mentor. Some celeb clients were friends and reached out personally. During COVID, I closed my books because I could no longer take anymore clients. I used that time to restructure my business because I was feeling burnt out and over worked. With God’s direction, I began to work less days and less hours making the same, if not more than I was working full time with long hours.
A few years later, I partnered with the shop I was working in and became part owner of a Black Owned, Women Owned Beauty Supply and Salon in LA. Investing in a project as big as that was a dream of mine and I was honored to make that apart of my history. I’ve since moved on from that business and own a suite off Wilshire in Westwood. My “Pocket of Peace” I call it.
I love what I do and the luxury experiences I get to curate for my clients. I’m excited to see what these next years of my career will bring.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, it’s been pretty smooth but don’t let that fool you. Every career has its struggles. Mine were various at different points of my career. From being burnt out at multiple points, dealing rude or manipulative clients, landlords stealing my possessions and not wanting to pay for them, being fired, having to quit jobs because I wasn’t making enough money to pay my bills, being accused of things I didn’t do, or jealousy within the salon that turned into attempted sabotaging. Oh believe me, I have been through it, but God has kept me through it all and my better days have been greater than my bad. Best of all, I’m still standing strong and confident.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am Celebrity Hairstylist who Specializes in Natural Hair. I can service all textures of clients: from straight to coily, and all manner of services from cut, color, press, braids, locs, weaves, and makeup.
I am most known for being a one-stop-shop and catering to the health of your hair above all else. Everything I do, I do with love and this sets me apart.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
When God says move, don’t delay.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://withlovebyk.glossgenius.com/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLJs6BleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABp82eDZitEktioxrvgky7RklV7trdNNrYBOTMPj1yfFaVG2py61i3XV9fXCVN_aem_Mnp9gUa2BFjM8Wuk1jZ-lA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withlovebyk?igsh=bjh0dDVpMnQzZzZ2
Image Credits
Photo 1
@xostephbell documentary: Defending our Crowns.
Mag: @lmumagazine
Photographer: @jonrou
Mag Design: @michellemaudet b
Lighting: @keithhedgecock
Hair: @rastafribraid Awa curl
Wig: @WithlovebyK
Photo 2
@shoniquashandai at the Rings of Power Premiere Red Carpet
Photo 3
Photographer: @jarrellelee
Model: @_alexanderashley
Hair/Makeup: @withlovebyk
Nails: @gloss_la
Braid Hair: @rastafribraid
Foundation: @juviasplace
Eyeshadow: @juviasplace
Blush: @juviasplace
Liner: @tartecosmetics
Lip: @colourpopcosmetics
Photo 4
@ciara
Hair@drkariwill
Hair/Assist @withlovebyk
Photo 5
@BrittBrow
Hair: @Withlovebyk
Makeup: @missdrini
Photo: @noah.x.red
Wardrobe: @vl3xandria
Creat. Dir.: @nolionsden
Photo 6
@ayeshacurry
@covergirl clean face shoot
Hair: @drkariwill
Hair/Assist: @withlovebyk
