We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Keyla Haynes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Keyla, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.
How I overcame a layoff was in 2018, I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 15 yrs. The company that I worked for got bought out by another company and decided they wanted to close down some facilities and our building was one of them. It was over 400+ people that were laid off and jobs were limited. It was like we all were applying for the same opportunities. After 6 months of not being able to find a job that aligned with what I’m looking for I decided that I was going to pursue being a full time entrepreneur.
I was already licensed as a Natural Hair stylist since 2014, I wanted to offer more services such as color but couldnt with my current license. I enrolled in The Paul Mitchell School of Columbus to get my cosmetology license. I graduated in 2019, and became a suite owner while building clientele amid of covid hitting and having to adjust to working during the pandemic. In 2021, moved into a bigger suite space, launched my product line Naturally Rooted Strands, and became a Certified Trichologist.
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?
As a curl specialist I help naturals simplify their routine, educate on how to properly care for your hair, embrace, and fall in love with your curls. With also having a background as a Trichologist I’m able to deliver solutions for your hair or scalp needs by creating a plan of action to get to the root cause of the problem.
I offer a variety of Curl Care services such as curly cuts, color, wash & go, rod sets, two-strand twists and flat twist styles. Treatments and scalp care services such as deep condition treatment, protein treatment, curl detox, olaplex, and scalp exfoliation for those who may deal with scalp issues.
Here at Naturally Chic Salon It’s a place where you feel listened to, understood and focused on helping you become your own hair goals. Whether you’re a curlie newbie or an expert, partnering with our salon we can help you with whatever challenge you may be facing with your hair. We have experience with all types of curls—so we know how to make sure your hair is healthy and looking its best. Our services and recommended hair care are tailored to fit your individual hair care needs using products from hair care lines that are eco-friendly with high quality ingredients.
I look forward to helping you with your curl journey!
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 qualities that were impactful in my journey were: Always continue learning, taking continuing education classes and adding new skills and techniques to your profession. They say it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill so you want to continue to practice and over time you will be better and master that skill or technique.
Patience when it comes to building a brand/business it takes time to get your name out there when building a business from the ground up.
Always have Faith in your business even when it’s not bringing in any money. At times this may have you feeling like throwing in the towel when it comes to your business because you’re not making any profit. Have faith, determination and stick with it and you soon will reap the fruits of your labor.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is a career professional who is ready to partner with a professional Curl Specialist who will help you simplify your hair routine and care for your curls. I know that it can be a little frustrating trying to find a new salon home. I understand that rocking your natural curls, coils & kinks can be confusing, complicated, sometimes discouraging, time consuming, and I am here to help you Simplify it.
Every Curl has a story and I want to get to know yours. Let’s chat about your Hair-Story and where it has been, so we can make a clear plan on how to move forward.
Let’s detox your Mane from all the things you’ve been doing & using that’s not benefiting your hair in any way. Let’s detox your Mind from all the misinformation you learned off the internet.
I look forward to helping you with your curl journey!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamnaturallychic.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/naturallychicsalon
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/iamnaturallychic
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/naturallychicsalon
Image Credits
Naturally Chic Salon and Portraits By Patrick
