Meet Chanice Williams

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chanice Williams. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chanice below.

Hi Chanice , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Honestly it came from other people’s insecurities being projected upon me. I realized as a kid I wasn’t insecure, but as I got older and dealing with being bullied in school and societal pressures on beauty standards, I developed insecurities, thinking I was too fat, or ugly, my hair isn’t pretty enough, I used to wish I was mixed and had “good hair”. I gained my confidence and self-esteem back through my spiritual growth. I was broken and I was searching for healing, and I had to unlearn the way of thinking that others projected onto me. I learned to love myself completely flaws and all from the inside out. I literally had to start standing and looking at myself in the mirror and love to accept myself and what I see when I look at me. I learned that if there’s something I don’t like about myself or my habits only I have the power to change it. There are still some things that I am working on. For example, I recently fell in love completely with the texture and coil pattern of my hair. It’s about accepting yourself and finding your beauty in what God has blessed you with.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I released my first fashion collection through SHEIN x Designer Program. I completed an internship with Aldolfo Sanchez with whom I assisted designing garments for his clientele. I was head of hair for Dometri’s Closet glam squad supporting the NAACP Iowa/Nebraska President and Board of Directors Betty Andrews for the 2024 NAACP Image Awards, and I recently completed a glam squad training for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) through the NAACP, Handy Foundation, and Netflix.

I am currently working at Art Beauty Equilibrium as a hairstylist, I finally took a risk and went into business for myself. It’s uncharted territory so it is still new to me. I am learning as I go and working on building my clientele, I have a few returning clients that I’m grateful for. As a hairstylist, my goal is to give great service. I want people to come and sit in my chair and have a relaxing, and therapeutic experience, the salon is a safe space where they can come and just let all their worries go even if only for just a few hours. I want my clients to trust and know that I am going to style their hair with the utmost care. The most exciting part about my work is when guests say my shampoo service puts them to sleep and when I hand guests the mirror and they get to see the final style and a big smile grows upon their face it makes my heart warm and makes me smile. I don’t want to just be a hairstylist but I want to help and teach people to take care of their hair outside of the salon. Another exciting thing about my work is the versatility, one day I may do some braids, then the next day a sew-in or ponytail, or I may color someone’s hair, or do a silk press and turn around and complete a taper or fade haircut. I believe staying versatile in my craft allows for my creativity to always flow. I am also looking to expand my fashion brand House of Chi Fashions. I’ve been researching and learning the next steps to take. I currently accept clients for custom designs or tailoring and event styling, but a goal I am working on is to launch some product or accessory pieces soon.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I would say customer service, problem solving, and time management, gaining these skills have definitely helped my journey. I believe everyone needs to gain experience in these three areas especially if you are looking to work in any business of service. I have worked multiple jobs for example, working for corporate hair salons, in retail sales and customer advisor positions, they have all strengthened these skill sets. Working in these types of job titles will give one a sense of empathy, because for one you know what it’s like to be a customer and for two you also know what it would be like on the other end of servicing a customer and how harsh the job can be. It helps you get comfortable with communicating and dealing with customers, while learning how to be of service, including solving issues that can arise in any industry. It’ll benefit you to think quickly as well as on your feet to find solutions all in a timely manner because time is money. I would also advise someone to continue their education, always be open to learn new things or a new way of achieving an outcome.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I would like to collaborate with some non-profit organizations. A vision and goal of mine is to give back to the community, starting with once a month setting up a day to give free haircuts and shampoos and styles for men, women and children in need. Right now I don’t have the resources to pull this off, I need to find the space and other stylists or barbers willing to help and provide their services to the community, and maybe even get some restaurants or food trucks that are willing to offer free food. If there is anyone looking to collaborate and help me with this goal you can direct message me on Instagram at @ ChiChitheStylist or email me at [email protected].

Contact Info:

Image Credits

K.V. Productions
Patrick Crowe Photography
Blame the Shooter Photography
Christina Davison Welch LLC

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