Life & Work with Keshonna Hawkins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keshonna Hawkins.

Hi Keshonna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Keshonna (Key-shawn-na) for those who can’t pronounce the name but you can just call me Kekedidem because I DID JUST THAT!

I started doing nails in October 2020 during Covid. I’ve always wanted to do nails but I didn’t know where to start. I started watching YouTube videos, following Nail Technicians on Instagram, asking questions, and doing research. Jump the gun by enrolling into school for Manicurist all for me to find out that the school is Virtual (Zoom). Having little information about the school I was like “hey why not!” and went ahead and enroll. Little did I know I wasn’t learning/taught the way I expected to be but you know the famous line “Expect the unexpected” and that’s exactly what I got, the Unexpected.

I took what I could from the course and started to teach myself more and more on my own. Discipline is crazy to have but it grounds you for better results if you stay consistent every day. I took my first client in January 2021 and because of her, I am where I am today. She would come to me every two weeks, send me nail photos, challenge me on designs and give me feedback when needed. It was times I wanted to do nails for free because I was so eager to get good but I knew all it took was patience and time to get to where I am today…

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth road? Of course not. Every road have bumps, dints, and sometimes even telling you to go around or the other way.

I wish I would have waited to enroll in school and did more research within different schools because I would have definitely narrowed down my options and I would have moved differently. I feel like I’ve wasted time and money but the mindset I have a year later is definitely different and knows what to do in order to move forward with the right information regarding school.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Keke does nails! More like a Jack of All Trades. I’m known for actually sewing Bikinis which is crazy because how did you go from sewing bikinis to nails? Crazy right?

Long story short I’ve been sewing since I was 18 and I’ve never looked back. As I got older I knew I wanted to try a lot of things regarding the fashion/beauty industry. From Make-Up YouTube Guru, a Lash Tech, now nails? If I can do all three I would, life is full of endless possibilities but for right now just pick one and focus.

The most thing that I am proud of today is taking that step to put myself in school for something I truly love to do, finally realizing what I want out of life regarding my career, and definitely not rushing the process.

What sets me apart from others is if I were to quit my job today, I’m that talented in multiple areas to where I can still be able to bring in income.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happy is sewing. Yes, I am a granny when it comes to sewing because who have that talent? It’s rare and I’m blessed. I love to go DTLA and look at fabric all day. Buying yards of fabric, sketching your designs, and bringing them to life is AMAZING and breathtaking. All I need in my life is my sewing machines and I’ll be alright.

Contact Info:

• Website: KTheBrand.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/kekedidem

Image Credits:
Instagram @Dark.mark | Photographer Instagram @Mlchancelien | Videographer