Today we’d like to introduce you to Koren Whisnant.
Hi Koren, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started doing my own hair in college. People would ask me to do their hair, so I started doing hair out of my dorm room. As I grew with clientele, I rented a suite in an office building and rented outstations in the suite. As I gained more exposure, I networked with clients in the entertainment industry, which landed me some deals with record labels to do hair for artists and special events. I decided to take things a step further and branch out. I came to Houston to visit a friend, and I fell in love with the weather and people here, so I decided to move! I’m excited to see what Houston has in store for me!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a rocky road at times. It seems like the biggest breakthroughs have happened when I was on the verge of quitting. Finances were a struggle when trying to invest to get to the next level. There are slow seasons in cosmetology, so I had to be innovative to create new streams of income.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a hairstylist and business owner. I specialize in protective hairstyles like braids and locs. I am known for my personality and the welcoming vibe of the shop. My clients love the experience of coming into the shop and being catered to. I am most proud of my growth. I am diverse and am able to work with all different types of people. My professionalism sets me apart from others. My clients appreciate my punctuality and customer service. I really try to get to know my clients. I appreciate that my clients come from different walks of life. I grew a passion for people and good conversation so that keeps my clients coming back.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Instagram has been a big help with working. I am able to see trends and see/hear feedback from what potential clients want in a hair stylist and hair salon. I started a podcast called Plugged In With Koren, where I interview some of my most interesting clients and get into their professional lives, their businesses, and how their love for protective styles may or may not affect their work environment.
Pricing:
- Knotless Braids ($100-$350)
- FauxLocs ($100-$350)
- Loc Retwists ($100)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/korenandko ; instagram.com/theholykoren
- Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/mskorenwhisnant
- Youtube: YouTube.com/korenandko
Image Credits
Images By Dee
