Check Out Stephanie Byrd’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Byrd.

Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Doing hair has been my first love since I was in grade school! My mother did it know how to do my hair in cute styles so I started doing my own hair at 8 years old. I taught myself how to braid and cornrow at about 10 years old. I would practice on myself, my mom, and aunties to prefect my these skills. As soon as middle school and high school I was getting paid for my skills. But when I was growing up, I didn’t really have anyone to tell me to follow that passion. I had no one to tell me I should go to cosmetology school, even though I showed talent at a young age. My generation was gung-ho on going to a 4 year college so that’s what was drilled in me.
I told myself if I were to go to college I have to enjoy what I’m studying. I really enjoyed a psychology class I took in high school and I had always done really well in math classes so I was initially deciding on being a psychology or accounting major. I ended up landing on fashion design and marketing because I always enjoyed fashion, hair, and beauty. I loved being creative with my personal style and my hair. For years I didn’t follow this passion because it didn’t always pay the bills. I worked a string of high end retail jobs and then transitioned into property management industry. Working my way up the ranks from leasing to managing for about 8 years until GOD made me uncomfortable and told me it was time to take that leap of faith. I quit my 9-6 job to enroll in cosmetology school full time and literally everything fell into place and worked out in my favor over and over again. I booked with companies like Sephora as an assistant hair stylist by a referral of a friend the day after I finished Cosmo school. I’ve been braiding and doing hair for more than half of my life and licensed for the past two years and I have worked with brands such as Pattern Beauty, Jordan(Jumpman23), Apple, Sephora and a handful of celebrity clientele as well.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest struggle was taking so to take that leap of faith. But it was all in GODs timing. Building clientele and who was my target client was, was a challenge at first. The ups and downs of entrepreneurship definitely caused stress and made me question if I made the right choices. But in this industry I’ve learned that’s it’s pretty normal to have your slow and busy seasons. I’ve just learned to adjust and adapt and do the best I can no matter what.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a licensed cosmetologist, hair stylist, and expert braider.
I specialize in protective styles such as multiple braid styles, locs, twists, and natural hair.
If you were to ask me what I was known for in the early 2000s it was crazy cornrow braid designs but now I’d say your most popular braid styles. I am most proud of the fact that I get to make a living off of my GOD-given talent. I get to enjoy what I do everyday because it doesn’t always feel like work. I’m also proud that people have been able to see my talent and work on known brand campaigns and commercials.
I believe what sets me apart is how customer service based I am because of my background in high end retail and property management. I truly appreciate every time a client books with me and it’s important to me that I continue to build quality relationships with people and make them feel good by giving them that extra boost of confidence when they leave my chair.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think it’s always great to find events in your area that are lead by people with like interests. People who have the same passion or just in the same industry. There are groups on social media that you could also become apart of. What’s worked well for me was just being myself in every space, being kind and genuine. And remembering what’s for you shall not pass you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://herhaircrush.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herhaircrush?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr