We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leslie Blakely. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leslie below.
Leslie, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I am a fourth generation master cosmetologist. I watched my great-grandmother, grandmother, and cousins demonstrate strong work ethics, provide amazing customer service and give gorgeous hairstyles to their clients. Their work ethic was one to be admired. Although my mother wasn’t a part of the cosmetology world she worked for and retired from the government and owned a printing business upon her departure from working with the government. Her work ethic too was everything! I honor them by mimicking their examples of time management, productivity, accountability and professionalism in my business.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the owner of Kinky Curly Beauty’s Hair Studio. I am a master cosmetologist who specializes in the health, care and maintenance of kinky curly coily natural hair. I’m also a natural hairstylist who does not alter hair textures, meaning I don’t flat iron nor blow the hair dry before styling. Kinky natural hair requires moisture in order to sustain hair-health, and because of this I refuse to blow dry my clients hair prior to styling. In fact, I never blow dry nor flat iron any of my clients hair.
The most exciting thing about what I do is that in my 10+ years of focusing on natural hair health, I continually witness thousands upon thousands of people fall in love with their natural hair in its natural unaltered state.
My goal is not only to provide gorgeous hairstyles to my clients, but my hope is to educate everyone who graces my salon with the knowledge of why their hair is so special and the amazing components that make up their gorgeous crowns.
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?
The three most important things for me are confidence, faith and work ethic. You must KNOW that you’re capable of achieving your dreams. You must have faith in your higher power and know that he will fulfill the visions and ideas he’s given you. And you must be prepared to work for and on the adventure that you’ve set out to achieve. In the good times and bad times ( and you will witness both), never lose focus of your goals and continue the work.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am looking to collaborate with photographers/videographers, makeup artists, as well as other natural hairstylists. You can connect with me by email at [email protected], on Instagram @kinkycurlybeauty and on Facebook at Kinky Curly Beauty’s Hair Studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kinkycurlybeauty.com
- Instagram: kinkycurlybeauty
- Facebook: Kinky Curly Beauty’s Hair Studio
- Linkedin: Leslie Blakely
- Twitter: KinkyBeauties
- Youtube: KinkyCurlyBeauty
Image Credits
Myself, Leslie Blakely These are images of my clients. All sign waivers ok’ing their images be taken and used for marketing purposes.
