Meet McKesha Rucker

We recently connected with McKesha Rucker and have shared our conversation below.

McKesha, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resiliency comes from several different places, but at its core, it is deeply rooted in how I was raised and the women who shaped me. Much of my strength comes from my mother and my grandmothers. Women who embodied perseverance, grace under pressure, and unwavering faith in their ability to overcome whatever life placed in front of them. Watching them navigate hardship without losing themselves taught me early on that resilience isn’t just about survival, it’s about continuing to believe in yourself, even when the path forward isn’t clear.
When I was younger, I actually dreamed of becoming a lawyer. I loved the idea of advocacy, structure, and justice. However, as I grew older and became more aware of the realities of higher education costs and the emotional toll of such a demanding profession, I realized that pursuing law would be both financially difficult and mentally overwhelming. Around that same time, I began reconnecting with something that had always been a part of me, my passion for hair.
My grandmother, lovingly known as “Mama Johnson “, first taught me how to do hair when I was about 12 years old. My uncle Ronnie was also a hairstylist & I was in complete awe of him transforming women’s hair & that really inspired me to go into the field. What started as bonding time quickly turned into a skill that came naturally to me. By the time I was 14, I had unofficially become the family hairstylist. I was doing everyone’s hair. Relatives, friends, anyone who trusted me with their crown. Even back then, I understood the power of hair: how it could transform not just someone’s appearance, but their confidence and spirit. & I was truly ahead of my time.
When I expressed my desire to attend cosmetology school, my grandfather strongly disapproved. He didn’t see hairstyling as a noble or respectable career, and his opinion carried weight. Out of respect and pressure, I deferred my dream and chose a more “traditional” path. I went on to pursue higher education and earned multiple degrees (5 of them to be exact), across different fields. On paper, I was accomplished, but internally, I felt unfulfilled. No matter what role I stepped into, something was missing.
In 2017, I relocated from California to Dallas, Texas, hoping a new environment would bring clarity. Instead, by 2023, I found myself completely burnt out. I had worked in countless spaces, poured myself into many roles, and yet still felt disconnected from my purpose. That season forced me to sit with myself honestly. And in that quiet, persistent voice I had ignored for years, something told me: go back to your passion.
That decision led me to Paul Mitchell. Returning to school wasn’t easy, especially later in life, but it was necessary. I completed 1,500 hours and graduated June 2024. Almost 30 years after first touching hair as a young girl, I finally accomplished the dream I once put on hold. It was emotional, validating, and deeply healing. I never imagined that the dream I deferred would come full circle but it did.
I graduated Salutatorian with a 4.1 GPA, & the following accolades: Dean’s List, Honors program, Spotlight student, Visionary Student, Color, Cut & texture honors.
During this journey, resiliency wasn’t just emotional, it was physical and situational. I battled multiple bouts of Covid, Lupus and Fibromyalgia, conditions that challenged my body daily. I also faced breast cancer, a fight that reshaped my understanding of strength and mortality. There were moments when survival itself felt like an accomplishment. Additionally, I experienced homelessness while attending Paul Mitchell. A humbling and painful chapter that tested my faith, dignity, and endurance. But even in those darkest moments, I refused to let my circumstances define my destiny.
Along the way, I continued building. I became a licensed notary, launched myself as a business consultant, a catering service called Boujee Munchies and created a customized shoe line called Killah’s Kreations. Entrepreneurship became another expression of my resilience. Proof that even when life knocks you down, you can still create, build, get back up and most importantly, dream.
Today, I am a licensed hairstylist doing what I love. I specialize in extensions, color, formal styles, and helping people feel beautiful from the inside out. I am also in the process of developing my own hair care line, human hair line & a styling tools line. Projects that feel like natural extensions of my purpose. I truly love doing hair. I love creating. I love serving. And I love seeing people walk away feeling confident and empowered.
When I reflect on my journey, I’m often in awe of how far I’ve come. At 45 yrs young, I never imagined my life would unfold this way. I never thought I would survive everything I’ve been through let alone thrive. But resilience has taught me that timing is divine, purpose is patient, and dreams don’t expire.
Looking ahead, I see abundance, expansion, and legacy. I truly believe I am on the path to becoming the first multimillionaire if not billionaire in my family. Not just for myself, but as living proof of what perseverance, faith, and resilience can create. My journey has been long, layered, and challenging, but it has also been deeply purposeful. Resilience isn’t something I found, it’s something I inherited, refined, and chose every single day. Every delay, every setback, and every hardship prepared me for the life I’m building now. My story is proof that dreams don’t expire, they wait for you to be ready. And in many ways, I am just getting started.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My work is deeply shaped by my lived experiences my journey through service, entrepreneurship, resilience, and reinvention. I’ve built my career by listening closely to people, understanding their needs, and creating spaces and services that make them feel confident, supported, and empowered. Everything I do is rooted in care, intention, and lived understanding.

I come from a background where hard work, adaptability, and self-belief were not optional they were necessary. Along the way, I’ve learned how to lead under pressure, how to pivot when life demands it, and how to build something meaningful even in seasons of challenge. Those experiences have given me a strong sense of empathy and an eye for detail that shows up in my work every day.

What excites me most about what I do is the ability to create transformation not just aesthetically or professionally, but emotionally. Whether I’m building a brand, curating an experience, or supporting others through a service, my goal is always to leave people better than I found them. I believe excellence and compassion can coexist, and I’m intentional about delivering both.

My brand, (which is still being built), is a reflection of growth and evolution. I’m not afraid to expand, shift directions, or honor new chapters of my life. I’ve learned that success doesn’t have to look one way it can be layered, multidimensional, and aligned with who you are becoming. I lead with authenticity, discipline, and heart, and that philosophy guides every project I take on.

Currently, I’m focused on refining what I’ve built while embracing new opportunities for growth and collaboration. I’m excited about the future, grounded in my experiences, and committed to continuing to create work that feels purposeful, elevated, and deeply human.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three things have been most impactful in my journey: resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to execute with intention.

Resilience taught me how to keep moving forward even when the path wasn’t clear or comfortable. I’ve had to pivot, rebuild, and sometimes start over, but each challenge strengthened my confidence and sharpened my perspective. For those early in their journey, my advice is to stop seeing setbacks as failures and start seeing them as training. Stay consistent, even when progress feels slow, and trust that growth is happening beneath the surface.

Self-awareness has been equally powerful. Understanding my strengths, my limits, and when to ask for support has allowed me to make better decisions and avoid burnout. Early on, it’s important to spend time learning who you are not just what you want to do. Pay attention to what energizes you, what drains you, and what values you’re unwilling to compromise. That clarity will guide you through every season.

Lastly, the ability to execute with intention, not just dream, has set my work apart. Ideas are important, but disciplined follow-through is what creates impact. I learned to be organized, detail-oriented, and accountable to my own standards. For anyone starting out, focus on mastering the fundamentals: show up prepared, follow through on commitments, and take pride in doing the small things well. Excellence compounds over time.

Overall, I’d encourage people early in their journey to stay patient with themselves, stay curious, and stay committed. Growth isn’t linear, but when you lead with purpose and integrity, every step counts.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

One of the most influential people in my journey has been my mentor, Debbie. She played a pivotal role in helping me understand not only the technical side of my work, but also the discipline, confidence, and mindset required to build something meaningful and sustainable. Watching how she moved with excellence, innovation, and integrity, gave me a blueprint for leadership and ownership long before I fully stepped into it myself.

In my current season, I find myself drawing on those lessons more than ever. I’m more intentional about how I lead, how I set boundaries, and how I define success. Debbie’s influence helped shape my understanding that growth doesn’t always mean doing more, it often means doing what aligns most with purpose, values, and long-term vision.

Beyond mentorship, my development has been deeply shaped by lived experience. Navigating transitions, challenges, and moments of reinvention taught me resilience and adaptability, skills I now carry forward as I build with greater clarity and intention. Every season has added a layer of wisdom that informs how I move today.

Looking ahead, my future vision is centered on impact, longevity, and alignment. I’m focused on creating work and building ventures that are not only successful, but sustainable and meaningful. The guidance I’ve received, combined with real-world experience and self-reflection, continues to influence how I grow, lead, and prepare for what’s next.

Success, for me, has never been a solo journey, it’s been shaped by those who believed in me, challenged me, and equipped me for the season I’m stepping into now and the legacy I’m building for the future.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/your_faaavorite_stylist?igsh=MTNiMzMzcHlpMXp1bw==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msmckeshadrucker1980?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
• Youtube: @MsTeamThick