Today we’d like to introduce you to Nijiah Filer.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always had a passion and love for hair since I was a child. Every birthday and Christmas, I would ask for doll heads so I could practice styling hair. At just 13 years old, I began my journey as a hairstylist by setting up in my mother’s kitchen and doing hair for friends and family members.
After earning my business degree, I attended Paul Mitchell the School and became a licensed cosmetologist at the age of 19. I continued specializing in extension services while working from home until I was able to rent my first professional salon space, which started as a mini salon.
Today, I am the owner of “Roots and Relif” Beauty Salon while also pursuing nursing school. My goal is to combine beauty and healthcare to better serve my community. I want to help people understand that the natural condition of their hair can often be one of the first signs of their overall health and wellness.
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 definitely has not been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing a business and personal responsibilities at the same time, which required a lot of sacrifice, discipline, and resilience.
I also experienced financial hardships along the way. Starting a business and building a career from the ground up is not easy. My major struggle was (and sometimes still is) learning time management and how to balance life overall. Being a salon owner, student, and mother/wife all at once can be overwhelming, but those experiences taught me how to stay determined and adaptable.
As I grew in my career, I also had to learn the importance of setting boundaries with clients and separating my personal life from work. In the beginning, because I genuinely cared about people and wanted to build my business, I often overextended myself and struggled to say no. Over time, I learned that protecting my peace, time, and energy is necessary in order to grow both personally and professionally.
Every obstacle I’ve faced helped shape me into the woman and professional I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a licensed cosmetologist, salon owner, and nursing student with a passion for helping people feel confident, educated, and cared for. I specialize in healthy hair care and extension services while focusing on maintaining the integrity and health of my clients’ natural hair. I am known for creating a comfortable and welcoming environment where clients feel valued, understood, and confident when they leave my chair.
What I am most proud of is most of my current clientele is the same clientele that started with me in my mother’s kitchen.
What sets me apart from others is the level of care and education I provide to my clients. I truly believe hair health is connected to overall wellness, which is one reason I am pursuing nursing. My goal is not just to style hair, but to help people understand and care for their health in all ways while also making them feel confident and empowered.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I would not be where I am today without God and the support of the people around me. My mother played a huge role in my journey by supporting my passion from a young age and allowing me to grow my skills from her kitchen. My fiancé is and has also been a major support system, constantly helping me through the challenges of balancing business, motherhood, and school as well as being the main investor for my business. My daughter motivates me a lot by allowing me to use her as a model/representation for my brand and being proud doing so. Most importantly, I am extremely grateful for my loyal clientele who have supported me through every stage of my journey, from working out of my mother’s kitchen, to doing hair from home, to becoming a salon owner and nursing student. Their loyalty, trust, and encouragement have helped shape both me and my business into what it is today.
Contact Info:
- Website: For Booking – https://nijiahthestylist.as.me/
