Meet Ilana Whiting

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

Hi Ilana, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I get my work ethic from my mother, without question. Growing up with a young single mother, I had a front-row seat to what strength and resilience truly look like. She didn’t have it easy, but she never let that stop her. I remember watching her wake up early, sometimes before the sun, and push through long days just to make sure my brother and I had everything we needed. She carried the weight of the world on her shoulders with grace, never complaining, just doing what had to be done.

Her hustle taught me that excuses don’t get you anywhere, but effort does. Her sacrifices taught me that love often looks like hard work. And her consistency taught me that no matter what life throws your way, you keep showing up. So when people ask me where my drive comes from, it’s her. I’m just continuing the legacy she started.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder of LocsByAnali, a brand that’s rooted in culture, care, and confidence. What started as a personal love for locs and natural hair quickly evolved into a business that celebrates individuality and empowers people through self-expression. I specialize in loc maintenance, styling, and education—creating a space where clients not only get their hair done but feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

What makes LocsByAnali special is the experience I’ve created around it. Every appointment is more than just a service—it’s a moment of self-care, a safe space, and a reminder that beauty is deeply personal. My journey started with just a chair, a passion, and a desire to create something meaningful for my community. Over time, it’s grown into a trusted name for those who wear their locs with pride.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding the brand—offering more products and educational content, as well as creating events that bring the loc’d community together. There’s so much more coming, but everything I do stays rooted in that original mission: to uplift, to care, and to crown people with confidence—one head at a time.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been consistency, patience, and connection.

Consistency is what builds trust—with your clients and within yourself. There were times when growth felt slow, but showing up every day, staying committed to my craft, and keeping my standards high made all the difference.

Patience has been just as important. Whether it’s mastering new techniques, building clientele, or managing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship—nothing truly great happens overnight. Learning to give myself grace and time was a huge part of my development.

Connection—with people, culture, and purpose—is the heart of everything I do. I’ve learned that when you lead with genuine care and build real relationships, your work speaks louder and travels farther.

For those early in their journey, my advice is this: be consistent even when it’s quiet, be patient with yourself when things feel slow, and stay rooted in purpose so you never lose your “why.” Keep sharpening your skills, but never forget—your mindset and energy are just as important as your talent.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

One book that played a major role in my personal and professional development is No Excuses: The Power of Self-Discipline by Brian Tracy. This book taught me that success is not about luck, talent, or timing—it’s about taking full responsibility for your life and consistently doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like it.

One of the most powerful takeaways for me was the idea that self-discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. That mindset completely shifted how I approached my business, LocsByAnali, and even how I show up for myself on a daily basis. It reminded me that discipline creates freedom—and if I could master my habits, time, and mindset, I could build anything I envisioned.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed or off track, I go back to this book. It keeps me grounded in the truth that excuses don’t build dreams—action does.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://locsbyanaliii.as.me/
• Instagram: @locsbyanali and @analiii__
• Facebook: @Lana Marie

Image Credits

Michelle McBride
Keyshia Brown