We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Darius King a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Darius, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I tend to stand out in crowds and even in rooms because I dare to be different. Not because I want the spotlight or to be the center of attention, but because I walk in the confidence in knowing that I am me and there can only be one me. I walk in grace knowing that I am wonderfully and handsomely made and that I am here today only because of Gods grace! I can’t be effective or successful without God
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I don’t really care for title “celebrity” hairstylist because I feel like that pins me to a category or a certain audience. So I am a celebrity comma hairstylist comma social media influencer [*King Laughs*]. On a serious note though, I’d like to call myself a jack of all trades, my mother always told me I could do anything I put my mind to so I did just that! Yes, I am a hairstylist and a lot of people may know me for that however, before hair was ever a thought I have always been multitalented. I started off singing I was raised in the church and come from a very musical family. I can act, model, and I am a fashion fanatic which I have to give my mother credit for again because she’s definitely been the Tina to my Beyoncé since I was born!
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 on my career seeing how I turned absolutely nothing into something still shocks the hell out of me, at the time I felt so small however the amount of faith I had in God was larger than life! Don’t get it confused though I still have an abundant amount of faith in God however like a lot of us, I got so caught up in my blessings I was forgetting where all of my help really comes from. And to all of the readers who are just starting out or already well on your journey I want to say to you please, by any means live & enjoy the fruits of your labor, just don’t forget to take time out of that time to thank God! Just as quick as he gives, he can take away.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Living in a single parent household, some of the most impactful things my mother did for me was motivate, support and pray for me. Being a mother, a single mother raising a man at that deserves a lifetime achievement award[*King chuckles*]. My parents instilled a different type of confidence in me, they are both such strong, wise individuals and without both my parents there would be no me here today so I’d also like to take the time to thank my father, God rest his soul. Thank you dad for the love and respect you showed me the absolute best you could! I love you with my whole heart and I’ll continue to carry the King legacy forever and always.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @iamdariusking
Image Credits
@treyshotme
