Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Jones.
Camille, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born on a small island in the Caribbean called Dominica (often mistaken as Dominican Republic); my family and I moved to Houston in 2000. Being able to communicate with other people was always very difficult for me. It was even more difficult to do so in a whole different country. I also suffer from anxiety and I quickly realized that doing hair was very therapeutic for me, and at the same time, I get to help people feel their best. My journey to become a hairstylist was quite a process.
In high school, I was always interested in taking the cosmetology course but unfortunately, every time I tried to sign up, the class was filled. After I didn’t get in, I just figured it was a sign that doing hair wasn’t for me. When I graduated high school, I had no clue what I wanted to go to school for so I went to Lonestar college for a couple years to get some college credits out the way. During my time in college, I worked as a barista and loved it. Because I loved it so much, I decided I wanted to study food and beverage management at the Art Institute of Houston to own my own coffee shop. That didn’t work out because I lost interest at the time. Being lost as ever as far as where I was going career-wise, I randomly moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with my cousin to see what was out there. I worked for Marriott there for six months. I didn’t like living in Florida, so I transferred to a Marriott back in Houston! I felt pretty lost still and a family friend and I were talking and she mentioned to me that since I liked doing hair, why don’t I go to beauty school. I gave it a shot and can’t imagine doing anything else! Now making eight years in the hair industry, I’m loving every bit of it! I’ve worked for two different hair salons, as well as a barbershop, before co-owning HairXCraft Barberahop and Salon with Ashlee A. at the Phenix Salon Suites in the Heights in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a scary decision, but it worked out perfectly. I offer a wide variety of hair services and love working with all hair textures. I specialize in braiding and haircuts. My Instagram (@hair_by_millie) has been my main source of marketing and promotions, which has helped a lot! I’ve been busier than I ever have been and I’m continuously improving as a hairstylist every day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a slight bumpy road. Working for a couple corporate businesses in the hair industry almost lead to me giving up hairstyling. From getting lectured about NOT wearing makeup to not being able to call in when my child was sick. Luckily I didn’t give up because this is definitely my calling.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a licensed hairstylist and I known for my braiding. What sets me a part is that I don’t limit myself to one or two services. I love working with all types of hair and I’d get bored doing the same styles all the time. So I do more than just braids, including women’s, men’s and kid’s haircuts, lox retwists, color, keratin smoothing treatments, color, tape-in extensions, and face waxing.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I have many favorite childhood memories. One of them is when I started going to the hair salon with my mom. I always felt good about myself after getting my hair done.
Contact Info:
- Email: Hairbymilliehtx@gmail.com
- Website: Hairbymillie.GlossGenius.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hair_by_millie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hairbymillieee/
