We recently had the chance to connect with Deidra Hogan and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Deidra, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Intelligence, energy or integrity; they’re all important but the one I hold highest is integrity. Intelligence is measured in many ways but the application of it is based on a person. Energy can create peace or confusion, joy or indifference; and is often shifted with emotion. Integrity, is being consistent regardless of the scenario or audience. It’s a different level of respect you have to have for people & yourself in my opinion.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Well, my name is Deidra, I’m the owner & solo operator of Deidramatik. Deidramatik is developing beauty brand. It started as a name on my wall, has quickly become a place of growth for me as a woman, & a point of peace for the clients who walk through my doors. My skills were learned young & have me nearing my fifth year in this industry. Five years is something I don’t take lightly. This could have been a story of what was a few times. Between the faith my clients have in my abilities & the determination I have to keep going I don’t see me stopping or slowing down anytime soon. I specialize in braids, locs, natural hair & color services. Healthy hair care is why I started this all; my goal now is to show upcoming stylists how they can truly grow in business. As I’m growing in this field I have often wished there was more instruction on navigating certain aspects of the business side. I’m still all things beauty & standing solidly behind the chair; just widening my scope.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
The most about work… I’d love to credit one person but I was very blessed to have a few people in my life who taught me about work. My mom definitely stayed on me about having a good work ethic, staying on top of my responsibilities, & making sure I wasn’t dependent on people keeping my life afloat. Focus is where my dad comes into play; that & reminds me constantly about the value of every move I make. That “by any means necessary” is all my granddad, he kept the go get it mentality in me. Got my start from my grandmother, I mean I don’t know what I’d be doing right now if she didn’t give me the skill & let me go with it. All that to say I have a few voices to go back to on whenever I need a refresher course in any aspect of work.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely! I have an actual list. Haha it keeps me going. The biggest thing I could think of is my period of “being a boss but not being the boss.” I was trying to regroup personally, stay in business, & maintain of level of strength that everybody around me always saw. I was essentially telling myself I could fake it until I made it out. In all honesty it took cutting off a lot of people, researching the industry I wanted to really be apart of, & checking myself regularly. I had to stop trying to be everything for everyone around me because my focus had to be growing a business & brand I believe in. That wasn’t easy, & the checking myself part… Honestly, I struggle with checking myself to this day. I am constantly reminding myself of the student I need to be right now. I haven’t mastered this craft by a long shot but it’s in my grasp.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say it definitely is. I know anybody who knows me has heard me say, “I’m the same person all the time.” I love who I am & I’m not going to ever apologize for being me. That consistency thing is real for me. I hope publicly I’m viewed as the joyful, spicy, caring, inquisitive leader I know me to be. That’s not to say you get all parts on the same day in the same manner but who I put out to the world is exactly who I am. There is way too much going on for me to attempt being multiple people.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow I think my clients would miss the services I provide. I mean let’s be clear, I’m one of the hottest in my city hahaha. Okay seriously outside of the services the conversations would be misssssssed. We have a time when my clients come in. That is their safe space! They can vent, be themselves, relax & regroup, or just doze off in the chair. My clients would miss the crazy shenanigans that are my life because just as much as I save them, they save me. I could never give them up! We forlifers at this point; me & my clients list hahaha.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Deidramatik.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deidramatik?igsh=MThkNmdybmwzdXQ1cg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
