For Shamika Smith, hair has never just been a job — it’s been a calling since childhood. After nearly two decades as a licensed cosmetologist and four years running her own salon suite, Smith says her commitment comes from knowing no one else delivers her craft quite the way she does. At what she calls The Thairapy Suite, she focuses on caring for hair rather than simply styling it, prioritizing healthy foundations, professional products, and a peaceful environment where clients feel safe and seen. Whether restoring locs that seem beyond repair or creating a calm space where clients can relax and learn about their hair, Smith sees each appointment as more than a service — it’s an experience meant to leave people feeling confident, restored, and energetically lighter.
Shamika, you’ve been in the hair industry since you were 10 and licensed for nearly 20 years — what has kept you committed through the hard seasons, especially as you approach four years in business on your own?
Knowing that I am the ONLY one to do what I do and how I do it is what keeps me committed. Like, I’M A BIG DEAL! I know this about myself and I have done some impressive things throughout my life and my career. I really DO impress myself!! LOL!! No, but for real…I love ME. I’m grateful to our higher source of course, and I know that people are in need of ME. When I was created, I was given a certain set of skills and talents that only I can implement to make people LOVE their hair and tell people about my talents.
I have really been in love with hair since 10. I can only remember doing my dolls’ hair and not caring about anything else but doing their hair. Then, my mom left me and my older sister to do our own hair; my sister didn’t even try to do hair. LOL. She asked me to do her hair like Da Brat’s -with all of the different colored rubber bands on the ponytails. I did her hair and the next day the students at school went CRAZY! LOL. I knew then that I would be doing hair in the long run.
Now, life did get tough and very dark, but I was always directed back to doing hair. The more I took care of hair, the more I loved seeing the reactions and the spread of my Brand/Name via word of mouth. I keep me committed. Really. I CAN’T STOP. I LOVE WHAT I DO TOO MUCH! I can barely put it into words. I love the journey. I love the recognition and the personal growth. Four years having my salon suite business is WILD! I’m looking forward to 10, though. I am loving the lessons and the ability to share what I know with others. I used to talk about retiring, but I know I would have protestors, so that wouldn’t be such a good idea…LOL!
I don’t have another choice but to keep doing what I am doing and to keep going.
You often say that others “do hair,” but you take care of hair — what does that philosophy mean in practice, particularly in your work with loc maintenance and natural hair care?
When I say that I take care of hair versus just “doing” hair, I mean that I take into consideration so many aspects when I am giving a service, and I ALWAYS give a Shampoo Service. Presently, there are people who have had their clients come to their service “shampooed” and blown dry. I don’t trust that. I’m always using Professional grade products and clients don’t typically use the best products at home. Besides, I went to school to learn HOW TO CARE for hair, and how to keep the integrity of the hair top-notch. I have mastered growing, cutting, shaping, and styling all hair types and textures. People who just do hair do it as a side hustle. This is my passion. I care for hair. I don’t just do hair.
You recently refreshed your salon suite without tearing anything down, yet completely changed the energy and flow — how important is the environment and emotional safety of your space to the work you do with clients?
I did just remodel and I intentionally do this yearly. The frequency of my workspace is just as important as my home space. I love to keep the environment peaceful. The energy of a space makes the experience better. Think of times when you have gone somewhere and the vibes were just offend you ended up drained when you left… Could you imagine going into that kind of space when you are about to get a personal service? That’s not a good feeling, huh? Exactly. My space is safe. I don’t call it The Thairapy Suite for NOTHING. LOL. It’s in the name.
People need safety and not just in a vehicle or government building. The places where you get personal services should make you feel safe mentally and physically. The Professional rendering the service should be a safe space as well. As a Cosmetologist, I am also a therapist and not just to the hair… The space MUST be peaceful in order for ME to conduct business and display my talents.
Creating brings me peace so the spaces that I am creating in will reflect that at all times.
Repair and reconstruction of locs is something you describe as your favorite work — what does it feel like to help restore someone’s hair when it’s “on its last leg,” and why does that process mean so much to you?
OH, MAN! I LOOOOOVE doing crochet maintenance. I really can’t put into words what if feels like, I just love the feeling. I love seeing people on the verge of tears because they can see their scalp or they don’t see so much of it when I’m done. I love being the person who can fix what people don’t think is fixable with their hair. It feels like MAGIC. That’s it. It’s a magical feeling for me to transform someone’s hair from severely damaged to restored.
This means so much because this world is forcing down our throats artificial EVERYTHING. When people come to me, they are tired of hiding and are in desperate need to break free and love their hair in its naturally loc’d state. Knowing that I am the one who can reconstruct, reattach, and repair locs is part of my purpose. It’s like I HAVE TO do this. I absolutely can do magic! *Chuckles*
You emphasize privacy, integrity of the hair, cleansing your space, and creating a true safe space — how do you hope clients feel when they leave your chair, beyond just loving their hair?
I hope clients feel compelled to tell someone that I did their hair and that they learned something from me when they leave my chair! LOL. They usually do. I love to see the surprise and awe when people see their hair; I love the knowledge and insight I share about hair to clients. It’s not JUST a hair appointment. The experience is unmatched.
I know that I am talked about, I just don’t know where. I hope they keep my name in their mouth in the most positive way. People don’t just get their locs restored and their natural hair cared for at The Thairapy Suite, they often leave lighter- energetically. This is deeper than the surface for me. I spread peace, light, and love to each client I service whether they came once or are a loyal. I make sure clients feel that too leaving The Thairapy Suite.
