Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Tottenham.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Brittany. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
From watching my mom and grandma braid my little sister’s hair, to having lessons on how to braid. Taking that skill and french braiding all of my softball teammates hair before game time, to taking my school breaks such as spring break, Christmas break, summer break and so on. I used that time to braid people’s hair who trusted me from age 15 until now to make money for holiday gifts and spending money for my softball tournaments every weekend. I honestly never knew braiding and styling hair would be a career path I chose as I grew into my adulthood, but only God knew where I was headed. After graduating high school, I went off to college right here at Texas Southern University, where I started playing ball but soon was guided on a different path, while on that path, me and my best friend taught each other how to sew in our hair. A craft we both grew to master, the more and more we styled each other’s hair. Even though I didn’t finish at TSU, I continued my education in two other community colleges. I lost interest in the major of physical therapy and sports medicine due to ..well life. I then worked retail for some years, worked as a manager and was really starting to regroup and remap a new game plan, and there you have it a baby boy who is now five years old was placed into my life. Who also was diagnosed with a heart condition that has required him to have a total of 5 heart-related surgeries with two being open heart. As a young mom, I was focused on making a better life for myself and my son. And trying to remain mentally and physically strong, I knew working at Olive Garden as a server once I was able to work again, wasn’t going to keep the proper funds coming in. But as surgeries were taking place and as time went on, I started feeling really down and really trying to find my purpose once again. I then reached into my creative side and went into customizing t-shirts at one point distressing and giving off bleach effects and selling them which surprisingly did well, but at one point.. I just stopped because, well honestly I don’t know. Part of it was because of so many people were wanting them and I just got overwhelmed. Thinking back I probably should have stayed on top of that. Hey, who knows I might just make a comeback lol, so stay tuned. But again of course I’m still trying to figure out my true calling. One day me and my friend were sitting in my living room and she turned and looked at me and said “Brittany didnt you use to braid hair”? I said to her “yeaaaa…why?” She says back to me “You about to braid my hair, I’m going to post you on my IG page and we about to get this money”! Lol after many many trial and error on the now popular style of braids which are the feed ins I finally got it down. Once I practiced and the more I started taking clients the less days I became available to serving tables at Olive Garden. Soon after I talked to a Salon owner to get more in site and advice on the industry as a hairstylist, and with the conversation we had and the knowledge and numbers discussed she advised me to go back to school for cosmetology, get my license and my degree to follow behind that. And now I’m licensed, I have a degree in science and I’m looking to going back and take some business management and possible real estate which has nothing to do with hair but it’s another source of income. But here I am now a mom, a 2 year small business owner, a one year independent contractor and an entrepreneur who’s sold merchandise with “#BeNext” on the front to not only advertise you can “BeNext” in my chair but to “BeNext” to tackle your dreams and goals to not be afraid to trust in God and go out and own your success and happiness. I’m far from my finish line but I’m proud of who I am and who I’m becoming. I will #BeNext to reach my success and hopefully inspire many other women, moms, young girls, etc to never be afraid to own their destiny.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been far from smooth, but it’s been fun. I had to learn to appreciate the low volume months as I did the high volume months. The downtime gave me the time to think of ideas to better my brand, my techniques on styling and braiding. To understand my numbers more. Even in doubts on how I was going to reach my weekly quota, I just have to understand budgeting and being smart with your money is something you have to put in place. There was a time I went through 2 weeks of “no call no shows” before requiring deposits and it hurt me bad but also made me step up my requirements upon booking and made me hustle that much harder.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with “B” Next Beauty Studio – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As a licensed cosmetologist, my current focus is all things hair, caring for natural hair, relaxed hair and specializing in braids. I’m also always finding ways to build and brand my name “B” Next with Brittany, or “BNB” Beauty. As time progress, I will be expanding my services towards waxing and skincare services.
I’m known more as a braider and installing weave coming into the industry, so most of my clientele right now is for braids and weaves. Once I received my license, my interest grew more into coloring and cutting, so I’m introducing more services as I continue perfecting my craft.
I am most proud as the BNB name rises every time a client turns around and falls absolutely in love with their style. I am most proud when my clients tell me I actually styled their hair how they wanted and they will return. I am most proud because this is a name I can call my own and continue to make better. What I feel makes me different is I’m not just a braider, I’m not just a natural hairstylist, I’m literally that one-stop shop. Hair, makeup, skincare and more. My clients ask and 9 times out of 10 I’ll service them.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the city physically and how it lights up so nicely at night. It just screams “a great night”! I love the support the city gives and ultimately how everyone wants to see the next win. One thing that can be improved in the city is the doubt that’s placed in some young minds that just because one is doing something they believe put themselves down thinking they can’t tackle that same interest. But in reality, no matter the product or the service, no two people will sell or achieve interest the same. So let’s continue to encourage and teach.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://benextbeautystudio.as.me/
- Email: benextstudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benextbeautyfix/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benextstudio/
- Other: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC_8IsIDbx5EBktpNxjn3uYQ
Image Credit:
DejaaSimonee_
Shaneice. Rashawn
Prechus Elizabeth
Bri Lew
Tawnuim
Raven
Ambrosha moya
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