Conversations with the Inspiring Athena Laster

Today we’d like to introduce you to Athena Laster.

Athena, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I followed the rules…
I went to college…
I took out the obligatory student loan…
I graduated from Hampton University with a BA in Communications…
Now, it gets easy… right?…
You know, where you follow the rules and everything just falls magically into place. NOT.

I followed the rules only to realize that the rules I had been following were set by everyone else for me and the reward I was promised wasn’t actually based on a goal I wanted to achieve. So, I got to work creating my own rules and identifying my own goals.

I have been a braider since I was a tot. Baby dolls with long hair I could braid and comb was my obsession (much to my Mother’s chagrin). I braided hair in college for bills and spending money I didn’t have to ask my parents about or explain. When I returned home after graduation and couldn’t find work with my degree, I went back to what I had always done – Braiding.

This led me on a long journey through a number of natural hair salons. Some were healthy and positive. Some were not. Good or bad, I appreciate my time in each one because I was able to learn the industry, add to and sharpen my skill sets, and build the confidence I needed to eventually step out on my own. Every day it grew more evident that I would have to create the type of positive and safe space I wanted to work in and provide for my clientele. My goal appeared clearer: to carve out a lane for natural hair care in an industry that had always degraded, disregarded, overlooked, and sidestepped this sector while uplifting my community. This sector being Diasporic/African/Black Hair in its natural and unaltered state. In the history of the hair care industry, when briefly mentioned in cosmetology training, it has always been widely instructed that African hair has to first be chemically altered to be cared for and styled. I knew different.

In 2007, I opened the doors to a small boutique salon with no name. I took my time with naming the space because I believe words have power. I had formulated my blueprint which had a firm foundation of: Black History and Cultural pride, professional business acumen and execution, Integrity, Excellence, Taste, quality and most importantly Peace. The name needed to represent these factors. Simultaneously, My Mother had been preaching to me that I needed to draw a circle around myself and stop allowing negative people and energies into my circle. So, two years in, standing behind the chair working on a client, all of these thoughts came together in perfect harmony to sing out the name of my little salon and Circle of Peace was born.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, my road hasn’t been smooth. My greatest struggles have been standing confidently in my power unceasingly, the inevitable financial challenges of entrepreneurship and patriarchy.

“Jack of all trades and the master of none…”
“Pick one thing and only focus on that…”
“You can’t have it all…”

These three phrases have haunted me all of my life. Usually, doled out with the best of intentions. Often coming from a place of love. But, doubt and fear-inducing as well. However, my response then and now continues to sound out “ Why?” I don’t recall hearing my parents question my brother’s ideas the way mine was regularly dismissed or redirected. I don’t remember my male childhood friends ever being told what they couldn’t do or achieve. I always thought, but what if I CAN master all of my trades? What if I CAN simply focus on one thing at a time? What if I CAN have it all? What if the voice inside of me is right? What is the harm in trying? I remember my Spanish teacher in high school telling me that if I didn’t stretch I would never reach what I was striving to achieve. I knew what it looked like not to try. I decided to try. Obstacles are a part of life and any story worth telling is full of them. Plow through them and stay the course.

My advice to women is to listen to yourself. Believe in yourself. Stand tall, hold your head high and no matter what people say, Just keep going.

What should we know about Circle of Peace Natural Hair Space? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m an artist with many canvases and Entrepreneur. Specifically, I’m known as a retired professional makeup artist, a master natural hair stylist, a product creator, and a culinary creative. I know myself to be a visionary and businesswoman. I own Circle of Peace Natural Hair Space, Maintain Body And Hair Care and Nafsi Ladha- a quaint event catering and events service. I am most proud of enduring the often rocky road of entrepreneurship. I look fear square in the eye daily, even through tears, and tell it “up yours!” I also take pride in what sets me apart and that is a consistent and high-level quality of service.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Absolutely. My parents were and are a great inspiration. My father was a visionary. He saw what you could only imagine and brought it to life. He made things happen. His career in venture capitalism and his entrepreneurial endeavors were great living examples of how to believe in yourself, how to stumble, fall and get right back up continually. He was adventurous and one of my favorite people. I miss him so very much. My Mother has been my professor of endurance, strength, creativity and follows through. She is a librarian. Growing up, when I would ask her a question her response was usually “Look it up.” This was well before Google. Off to the home library, I’d go to figure out the answer to my questions myself. This taught me independence and to think for myself. Both of my parents insisted that we (me, my brother and sister) be thinkers. Thinking through good and bad decisions have been integral to my success. In addition to my parents, there is my beloved Third ward. My memories of childhood in this neighborhood have fueled and shaped my ideas of community: Compassion, care progress, culture, and pride. I attended predominately white schools growing up and while the lessons learned in those environments were key to my development, coming home every day to the open arms and welcoming arms of Third Ward was invaluable.

Pricing:

• Maintain Shea Butter $20/ 8oz. Jar
• Maintain Lubricate Oil $10/ 8oz. Bottle
• Maintain Humidify Mist $10/8oz bottle

Contact Info:

• Address: Circle of Peace Natural Hair Space
  3016 Isabella St. unit A
  Houston, TX 77004
• Website: atthecirclehue.com
• Phone: 8323353104
• Email: atthecircle@gmail.com
• Instagram: @thecirclehue
• Facebook: @thecirclehue
• Other: @nafsiladha

Image Credit:
Solo photo: Dawn Barnes, Other photos: self and Clients

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