Meet Nyoka Celestine of Nyoka Gregory Beauty in Sugar Land

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nyoka Celestine.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Anyone who knows me knows that I’ve always had a love for the beauty industry. I can remember getting in trouble for cutting my sisters Barbie doll’s hair one day when I was about 9 or 10 years old. Her hair was matted so I felt as though she needed a trim! Another time I can recall doing my best friends hair in her bathroom after church or doing my own relaxer at the age of 13 while my parents were at work. After my high school graduation in ’96, I convinced my parents that a four-year university was not for me. That’s when they said “yes” to my cosmetology career. I hit the ground running and never looked back!

One thing I can say about my career path is that it has allowed me to be free and creative. I’ve worked with different types of people with all shapes, sizes, races, and sex’s in many different parts of the US. Usually I get that warm and fuzzy feeling at the end of the day which lets me know that I’m doing what God has me here to do. It is that passion that continues to drive me every day.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a business owner definitely has its ups and downs and I’m proud to say that I’ve been in both places. I can remember being a young entrepreneur while booth renting at a salon. I had a pretty good clientele so I figured that I could spend the money on shoes, clothes, food and entertainment because clients kept coming in. Then one day I realized that it’s easy for a client to schedule an appointment but it’s even easier to cancel one. Well I had already spent my money shopping and hanging out so my rent checks would bounce. I would somehow get an extension and recoup as much of the money as I could with the clients that did come in but it wasn’t enough. I inquired late fees and bounce check fees and guess what? The rent was going to be due the next week…who knew it would be this hard?

One day the salon owner Frances (RIP) came up to me and basically told me that she knew I was being young and dumb and spending my rent money on unnecessary things. She also told me that I need to get my shit together (her exact words) and get responsible because I was talented and was never going to make it if I kept going in that direction. It was then that I started buying my supplies before they ran out so I would always be able to service my clients, I stopped shopping as much and started getting serious about my money. I’ve been that way since.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Nyoka Gregory Beauty – what should we know?
From the time the doors open and she walks through until her final farewell, brides should feel as glamorous and as beautiful as they are. Nyoka Gregory Beauty is a Sugar Land studio salon that provides premier makeup, hair and lash enhancement services with over 15 years of experience. I believe that my guests should not just receive a service, but should also leave with an experience.

I specialize in wedding beauty services and am best known for customized looks with great customer service. I am most proud of how far I’ve come. I remember leaving JC Penny salon back in June 2000 to go on my own. It was that time in my life that shaped me in to the business owner that I am because on June 16th of that year I started my own company.

What sets me a part is my ability to create a one-one fun atmosphere for my guests. I’m on time (thanks to my father). I pay attention to detail and organization (thanks to my mother) and I am consistently learning ways to better myself and my talent (thanks to God).

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel that my professionalism is most important to my success. Without it I stand to be mediocre.  In my mind, I like to treat my guest the way I’d like to be treated. That means, responding to messages/phone calls at the appropriate times, being on time, dressing the part, giving the guest not only what they want but also what they need and so on.

Pricing:

• Wedding Consultation $80+

Contact Info:

• Address: 15315 Southwest Freeway, Suite 186, Sugar Land, Texas 77478
• Website: www.NyokaGregoryBeauty.com
• Phone: (281) 944-5NGB
• Email: nyoka@nyokagregory.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/NyokaGregoryBeauty
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/NyokaGregoryBeauty
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/NyokaGregBeauty
• Other: Snapchat: @NyokaGregoryBeauty

Image Credit:
Daryl Brown Photography
905 East Studios
Teshorn Jackson Photography
Daniel T Davis Photography
George Street Photography
Addison J Weddings