Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Belle.
Hi Josh, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I actually started in the salon that I now own today. I worked here when it was called Top of the Line Barber Shop as a Braider from the age of 13-18. My career came full circle. I came back and took over at the age of 29, I now own and work as a stylist in the same location which I have named The Signature Hair Lounge! I was known as the Braider in high school at Gardena High and Washington Prep, I attended both. After high school, I went on to work at 14 different salons in the LA area… as I tried to find myself as an individual and who I wanted to be as a stylist, I went from one salon to the next. The next salon was always better than the last, whether it be the new group of people I would be working with or esthetics which allowed me to promote to a greater caliber of clientele. Until I realized when you are good at what you do, the people will follow you anywhere. The crazy thing is I never wanted a salon. God’s plan will present itself multiple times until you finally receive it.
I was never ready…
After spending and amazing work trip with one of my clients in West Africa for 30 days. I found out I had malaria from one of the many mosquito bites I had gotten while in Africa. It was a rare nonpreventable form called Plasmodium Malaria. It took two months while I was back in the states to break down my immune system. Being the workaholic that I am, of course I worked through the early stages of it and minor symptoms. When I finally went into the hospital, they decided to keep me. Thank god my aunt Jocelyn took me she was telling them everything I’ve done and everywhere I’ve been in the last few months. All her talking saved my life, lol. Malaria doesn’t usually take that long to break down the body so they counted it out originally. I stayed in the hospital for 12 days before they diagnosed me with Plasmodium Malaria.
After 30 days in Africa with one client, traveling for two months in the states, 12 days in the hospital and another 14 days at home on bed rest taking my treatment… I ended up losing half of my clientele. The $10,000 I made in Africa was mostly spent on medical bills ($7,700). So I was basically starting from square 1.
Also, at a new salon that closed two months after I was trying to get back on my feet. I was forced to go the salon across the street and I told myself that would be my last salon. I did not want to move again as it was also becoming one of my favorites. Having malaria changed my life. I needed structure, stability, and financial abundance. I needed to grow up! So, of course, that salon ended up closing also we had a month to be out after I had worked there for only seven months. At this point, I was forced to put the future of my career into my hands and make it my responsibility to be structured and stable as a person and now as a salon owner. June 1st, 2017 The Signature Hair Lounge was born and I have never looked back. I grind for my salon and my stylist. And the Lord has been blessing my business in ways I can’t explain.
Of course, it has had its obstacles but I’m glad I took a leap of faith and chose a path that has been for me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Owning a salon has not been easy. I’ve gone through 13 stylists in three years just to get my team that I have now. We are all like hearted and like-minded. And they are grown women who carry themselves as such! It’s a BLESSING.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Signature Hair Lounge is a salon of stylists that creates a look, color and or cut that will fit your signature lifestyle.
We are loved by our stylist simply because we are real, relatable and we give genuine always!
I’m super happy and proud of my business and stylist. We made it through a pandemic at ease and are continuing to thrive.
I want people to know that The Signature Hair Lounge in the city of Gardena, CA is here to stay. And outdoors are always open to clients who love to laugh and enjoy great energy when receiving a hair service that they will be satisfied with and want again.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice would be to listen to everyone and pray for discernment overall you hear.
My clients have been my mentors. They have taught me so much. All coming from different backgrounds and walks of life. They have made me a well-rounded woman. I just had to be willing to listen though they were not always the same age, gender, or race as me. A lot of us weren’t on the same path either just crossing. But most of them had great things to instill in me that helped me get to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: thesignaturehairlounge josh_stylisy
