Today we’d like to introduce you to Twy Bernal.
Twy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up I always said I wanted to own a salon, but wasn’t really sure for what type of hair. As a young girl I would always braid my friend’s hair for fun. Once I got to high school that turned into braiding for extra money.
My parents were against me going to cosmetology straight out of high school, because they felt that I should obtain my degree first, for security. While studying to get my degree in communications, I continued to braid as a side job just so I wouldn’t lose my touch. I eventually became bored, and decided I would give it a break.
I later finished school, and immediately enrolled in cosmetology. There I learned the technical side of doing hair and the mixing of chemicals. While in school I realized they taught everything except for proper braiding technique. At that point I thought, well I’m good at that, maybe I should teach it.
Soon after, I started to take clients for braids again. Meanwhile I was working a part time job. After a few months braiding, I took to social media and created a hair page. Before I knew it, people viewed my Photos, and I had clients to fill up an entire month.
After only about a month, the owner of The Wright Salon in Beverly Hills reached out to me saying that she loved my work. She explained that she had been looking for a braider, and that she hadn’t seen work as neat as mine in a while. I never imagined working in a salon as a braider, but this was the beginning.
I went on to work at The Wright Salon for a year and 7 months. Once time passed I felt as though it was time to challenge myself again. I envisioned leasing a salon out and making it strictly for braids, but it just never panned out how I wanted.
After reaching out to my mentor I decided to search for office space opposed to salon space, and go back to my dreams of a braid bar. It literally took me 3 days to find space. It was almost as if God was holding it for me. I found my space with little to no money, and stepped out on faith.
Not knowing all of the money and time it would take, I established The Braid Bar. It definitely was not an easy process, but it was absolutely worth it.
Has it been a smooth road?
Some of my struggles along the way was trying to come up with the money to make it all happen. Having to pay for every little thing ALONE was difficult. Being able to balance working, and handling the business side is also another struggle. It’s not very easy to find time to maintain an establishment, and work in it. In addition, I did it all pregnant with my third child, so I also had the struggle of balancing work life with home.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the The Braid Bar story. Tell us more about the business.
The Braid bar’s main focus is BRAIDS. We do Individuals, twist, cornrows, or Calirows as we call them, faux locs, goddess locs, and some crochet styles. I specialize in Calirows, and that’s also what I’m most known for. I am proud of my business because I built it all by myself. What sets me apart from most is that my braids are extremely neat, I work fast, and to top it off I have my own natural hair care line. I consider my business a total package because not only can we provide you with the best braid services, but we have what you need to maintain the braids and keep your hair healthy underneath.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the next 5-10 years I would like to have opened a few more braid bars here in LA, and other states. In addition, I would like to have my braid courses offered in school or have my location for reoccurring Braid classes.
Pricing:
- 2 Calirows $60
- 4 Calirows $75
- 5-7 Calirows $95
Contact Info:
- Address: 201 s. Santa Fe. Suite 104
Los angles ca 90012 - Website: [email protected]
- Phone: 310-259-3457
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @thebraidbar.la
- Facebook: @thebraidbar.la
- Yelp: The Braid Bar LA
