Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariama Dashiell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Native Texan. I became interested in Hair when I was around 10/11 years old because my mom couldn’t take my sister and I to the hair salon regularly anymore because it got too expensive and she didn’t know to do hair. So I began to watch and learn from the lady that braided our hair and started to do my own hair.
My uncle mookie who is a barber always told me that I’d be a hairstylist and actually gave me manikins to practice on that he had from barber school. So I practiced braiding over and over and watched Mrs Kady braid and from there, I started to do my own braids and twists for school.
My mom would buy the hair and I would just do it. Once I got really good, my mom noticed and I actually started to do my mom’s hair and my sisters. In middle school and high school friends on the football, basketball and volleyball teams started asking me to do their hair because they would see mine. I would charge 40 dollars for full head of twists and micro braids throughout high school.
My older brother is one of my biggest inspirations, motivating and supporters. He always told me I great and loved the different ways I would do my hair. When I was 15, he was killed in a tragic car accident and my life was changed forever. I was so angry spiraling out control suicidal and angry at the world. Then I turned that negative into a positive the best way by doing something I know he’s be proud of me to do. He taught me to work hard for any and everything that I want.
Once I graduated high school, I decided to go to cosmetology school when I was 18 on the outskirts of Dallas about 3 hrs from home. Not really a lot of family there being young and also in a relationship I dropped out of school and moved back home to be closer to friends family and my boyfriend at the time I ended up getting married at 19. During that time, I lost sight of my career goals, passion for the hair industry and I was a kitchen stylist just popular at home money was good great clientele, working and taking college courses towards an associate’s degree. I wanted to go back to cosmetology school and finish so that can move to Los Angeles or Atlanta and follow my dreams but my partner was very unsupportive of my dreams would always say “the city is too fast for a girl like me”, “I wouldn’t make it in the city”, “That there wasn’t that much money in doing hair, etc.” so I believed it for a little while until I realized that this was a way for him to keep me from following my dreams and control me. Things got really bad and he became physically, verbally and mentally abusive.
By the time I was 21, I was at my lowest almost as low as I felt when my older brother died when I was 15. I felt like there was nothing left to live for so I decided that I needed to leave while he was away because it was my chance to get out and leave without things getting physical. So I left. Moved to a shelter in Dallas and enrolled back into cosmetology school.
Graduated from ogle cosmetology school in Arlington, Texas got my license and got my own suite to work in. Things were going great but I wanted more so I traveled to Los Angeles to work because ppl were asking if I would ever come to la. So I traveled two times once in one year. I knew then I wanted to move and work/ live here to accomplish my dreams and that the time was “now or never” so I came dec. 2014 and while I was here a salon posted they were hiring hairstylists in West Hollywood my friends and sister were all tagging me on the posts so I sent my resume to Kim Kimble studio and the other salon didn’t get a response from Kim Kimble. I got a response from the second salon and the owner liked me she asked how soon I’d be able to move. Told her I’d be there in January and went home packed my things and moved within 3 wks.
I moved and got here Jan. 4th 2016. I went straight to booth rental. It was a weave/extension shop so I figured if I did at least one person a week. I could pay the booth rent. I ran ads on Craigslist, used hashtags, ran specials just to get clients.
I didn’t know anybody didn’t have any family I knew here and moved with faith and a few bags. And the rest was history. It hasn’t been easy but it has all been worth it. I’ve worked with Jesse J, Belly, Jordyn Woods other celebs so it has been amazing and only up from here. Continue to work some nights are long little to no sleep but I keep going because there is a bigger picture. I’d rather work towards something than waste of time.
Family inspires me the most and keeps me motivated. Everything that I do is for them first. For my brother and myself last. It’s fulfilling. The times people told me I couldn’t or I shouldn’t inspire me to continue to prove them wrong. The doubters, naysayers. I’m learning, growing, glowing perfecting and mastering my craft. I have a passion. I love what I do. I’m never gonna stop. I want to be an inspiration to everyone especially young kids who lack confidence, guidance. Anyone that experiences domestic violence etc. When the odds are against you. You have to keep going and choose yourself first. I’m not perfect but I am far from where I want to be. I am striving to be better and great daily.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all.
LA is a hard city to make it in and you never know who you can trust or anyone’s motives. It’s been a lonely road at times.
Most of my struggles stem from being so far away from my family. I don’t have a balance in LA. It has been all work here.
Sometimes I overwork myself and get to a point where I have a meltdown on an off day to where I’m burnt out, overwhelmed and just feel like giving up. I’d question myself often like “am I good enough?” Is it worth being away from my family?”
I know you can’t get time back and I just want to give my family everything one day so me knowing that I will do that literally gives me the push I need… Being able to take my nieces and nephews shopping every time I come home. I can get them anything they need at any time I can help my family out. That literally makes every struggle worth it.
Just me thinking about the family mansion I’ll have one day keeps me going.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Beauty By Mariama story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a licensed cosmetologist, I do all hair types. I specialize in hair extensions, wigs and natural hair, which is what I’m known for.
As a brand, I am most proud of my reputation I have been able to build in LA.
My professionalism, personality and hard work ethic set me apart from others.
I treat everyone kind and give the upmost respect.
Some nights I’ll finish working at midnight and start my day at 6 am. I think me being reliable and literally being available/ ready at anytime has helped set me apart as well.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In 5-10 years, I see myself a mogul in the beauty industry.
I want to build a team that travels the world with me for work help create opportunities for other young black women like myself.
Launch my own universal hair care products and have them Sephora.
Open an upscale salon.
Have my own show with others behind the scenes of being in the industry to show everyone what goes into it. It’s not all glitz and glamor but it is worth it.
I’ll be an instructor. I’ll be a motivational speaker. I’ll be a millionaire.
Contact Info:
- Website: mariamadashiellcollection.com
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Malik Daniels @mdanielsphoto
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
