Nyanah: Polishing Crowns

June 8th, 2023

Nyanah set out on a journey to chase her aspirations, inspired by a deep passion for hair. She became a licensed cosmetologist, honing her skills and expertise in the world of hairstyling. Driven by a desire for independence, she made the bold decision to become an entrepreneur, establishing herself as a hairstylist. With dedication and skill, Ny takes pride in her craft, helping individuals shine by enhancing their natural beauty and polishing their crowns every day.

What inspired you to become a hairstylist, and how did you get started in the industry?

I was inspired to become a hairstylist because as a teenager I LOVED keeping my hair done, my mom wasn’t taking me to the shop as much as I wanted to go so I learned how to do it myself. It was always just a hobby but when I graduated high school and realized I truly wasn’t interested in anything else I decided to put all of my time and effort into my craft.

What or who are some of your biggest sources of inspiration or motivation that keep you passionate about your career or life?

My biggest motivation is my son. He’s 3 which is just about how old my business is. He inspired me to do something more than just hair at home as a “side hustle”. I feel like he gave me the push to go and get my license, open up my shop and make what I love my career. Trying to be the best mom and role model I can be is what motivates me to keep going and go harder.

What were some key milestones or turning points in your journey as a hairstylist that shaped your career?

I think one of the biggest turning points for me was expanding my education beyond just braiding/styling hair. Learning about actual hair care and how to keep it healthy was key for me when shaping my business. I want to not only be able to provide amazing hairstyles but I want clients to have flourishing hair underneath.

How do you approach consultations with clients to understand their desired hairstyle and meet their expectations?

When doing consultations with clients I try my best to understand their desired end goal with what they have currently. I am always real with my clients, if it won’t work or if it’ll do more harm then good I’m going to point that out and try to offer alternative solutions to the best of my ability. I feel by being honest and upfront about what I as a hairdresser am comfortable working with and doing is key to meeting both mine and their expectations.

How do you stay updated with the latest techniques, products, and advancements in the hairstyling industry?

I love being creative and trying new hairstyles! Between social media like Instagram and Tiktok I find new styles all of the time and often take models so that I’m able to have creative control. When it comes to new tools and products I try things as needed because not everything new is good or worth trying. I honestly have turned into an “if its not broken don’t fix it” kinda girl. I used to be a “product junkie” and would buy everything just because it was new and trending, although trying new products can be fun but in reality I was wasting money and products when they wouldn’t work.

How do you stay inspired and continue to evolve creatively in the ever-changing world of hairstyling?

I think the reason I’m able to stay inspired is because I truly love what I do. As I mentioned I started doing hair as a hobby so having my hobby now be my career definitely keeps me interested and with that I’m all to evolve because I’m always trying to dip myself into something new. No mater if it’s braids, extensions, color, etc I’m always trying to do and learn something new.

What advice do you have for aspiring hairstylist?

Its easy to get caught up in the amount of money and opportunities that come with being a stylist however I recommend really spending time learning to be personable and have customer service. The key to having a good and loyal clientele is to give people an experience that they wouldn’t receive somewhere else. Make them feel comfortable with you and confident in your skin set. I also recommend really spending time perfecting your craft and charge your worth+tax. If you are just getting started spend time practicing before jumping right Ito finding clients. If you already are confident in your skill, don’t low ball yourself and be confident in your work.

What steps do you take to prioritize and maintain your mental well-being?

I maintain my well-being by taking breaks. I find that its really easy to get burnt out because I love my job. I find myself taking on more than I sometimes should because I want to see a style come to life. I have learned that it’s important to take a break and take off days. Now I take at least 2 days off a week and use the time to relax and do things that I love to do outside of work such as spending time with my family, going on dates with my boyfriend, and travel.

What's your endgame? What do you ultimately hope to accomplish in the future?

Although I enjoy my career I don’t want to do it forever. I do see myself staying in the beauty industry however I see myself doing more behind the scene business endeavors. I'd love to open up my own salon Suite building so that other professionals have to space to work on their craft and be their own boss. I’d also like to spend more time creating a hair line that targets natural hair care in and out of protective styles.

FOLLOW NYDIDTHATT ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

BOOK: nydidthat.as.me

INSTAGRAM: @nydidthat

TIKTOK: @nydidthatt