Today we’d like to introduce you to Tempest Langley.
Hi Tempest, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up going to salons and was fascinated by the stylists and their processes. I was a quick learner, and after every appointment, I would go home and practice what I had seen on myself and my little sister, sometimes even getting in trouble for using hot tools at an age I probably should not have been. Although I loved hair, I didn’t initially see it as a viable career path. I always imagined myself working in broadcast journalism or public relations, so that was the route I pursued academically.
Toward the end of college, my curiosity around wigs and hair extensions grew. In 2018, I started making and installing wigs, first on myself and then for others. What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into a business as my clientele steadily grew.
For a while, I lived a double life. I worked full-time in corporate communications during the day and took clients in the evenings and on weekends. When COVID hit, I was anticipating a promotion that ultimately never came. At the time, it felt devastating, but looking back, it was one of the biggest blessings of my life. It forced me to bet on myself. I left corporate America and pursued hairstyling full-time, a decision I remain incredibly grateful for.
The journey has not been without challenges. Building a clientele in the Washington, D.C. area came naturally because I had deep roots there, but entrepreneurship has tested me in ways I never expected. Fear has been one of my greatest obstacles. As business owners, we are constantly wondering, “What if this does not work?” Over time, I have learned that on the other side of fear is opportunity. Many of the opportunities meant for us require us to take the chance before we feel ready.
That lesson became even more real when I made the decision to move to Houston. I went from consistently having five-figure months to rebuilding in a brand-new city, sometimes seeing only one client a week. It required persistence, determination, and unwavering faith. I spent much of 2025 preparing for that transition, and although it stretched me financially and emotionally, I knew this move was what I was called to do. This chapter has challenged me, refined me, and reminded me just how resilient I am.
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is not a celebrity client or career milestone. It is the stylists I have been able to impact. Through my classes and mentorship, I have watched women start careers in this industry and pursue dreams they once thought were out of reach. Many have shared that hearing my story gave them the courage to move forward. Moments like those remind me that my obedience is bigger than me. My journey is not just about doing hair. It is about inspiring others to walk boldly in their purpose.
For my clients, I hope I have created an experience that shifts the narrative of an industry that sometimes carries a negative reputation. I want my chair to feel like home, a place rooted in professionalism, healthy hair, genuine care, vulnerability, networking, and growth. I want women to leave feeling more confident than when they arrived.
For fellow stylists, I hope my impact is groundbreaking. I want them to understand that they are more than “just hairstylists.” We are creatives, business owners, caretakers, educators, and changemakers. I strive to lead by example and show what is possible when you stop allowing fear to dictate your decisions and start knocking down the barriers placed in front of you.
Above all else, my faith has been the foundation of everything. Putting God first and allowing Him to be my business partner has been the greatest game changer in my life and career. There have been countless moments where I did not have all the answers, but I have learned that obedience often requires faith before understanding. Every opportunity, challenge, and victory has strengthened my belief that what is meant for you will never miss you when you are willing to trust God’s plan.
Alright, 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?
Absolutely not! Full time entrepreneurship comes with so many challenges. Long nights, failing in front of people, financial risks, difficult clients, the list goes on. I’ve been in this industry for 7.5 years, and two of the hardest things I’ve had to overcome are fear and properly delegating to prevent burnout.
Fear shows up often because this industry is always changing. As it progresses, it requires you to be more creative and show more of yourself, which is different from when I first started, when consistently posting pictures of your work was enough. You have to keep up with so many trends and strategies while stepping out of your comfort zone, and that alone can be scary. But one thing I’ve realized is that on the other side of that fear are so many open doors and opportunities. Failure is just practice for when you finally get it right, so turning fear into fuel has been vital for me.
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Delegation, whew. As a creative and a perfectionist, you always want your vision executed the way you see it. It’s scary to hand off tasks to others because you’re afraid that if they get it wrong, everything you’ve worked for could be jeopardized. But I also know I’m only one person, and I simply can’t do everything. Through prayer and planning, I’m constantly working on delegation and building a team that will keep pushing my brand and vision forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a Houston based hair stylist, educator, and entrepreneur with over 7 years in the industry. I specialize in sew-ins, quick weaves, flip overs, and wig installs, and I run Tempest Ruth Hair out of my salon suite. Beyond the chair, I’m known for my education business, where I teach other stylists the techniques and business strategies that helped me grow. I’ve also had the opportunity to work in media and with celebrity clients, including styling for Sheryl Lee Ralph and Karen Huger on Real Housewives of Potomac.
I’m most proud of the impact my teaching and mentorship have had on other stylists. I’ve been able to encourage women and men to pursue their dreams in the hair industry by showing them what’s possible. When I started out, I never knew my journey would become this, but I’m grateful for being obedient and following God’s plan.
I am also most proud of my hair extensions brand, Tempest Ruth Hair, launching August 2026. This brand means so much to me because it honors my late grandmother, who was a cosmetologist and always fostered my love for hair. It’s also so much bigger than hair extensions, we will host classes and events that give back to the community and the industry in an impactful way.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just do hair, I build people up while I do it. My background gives me a full picture of the industry: I’m behind the chair doing the technical work, I’m in the classroom teaching other stylists how to build sustainable businesses, and I’ve worked in media and with high profile clients, so I understand what it takes to show up at every level of this industry. Everything I do is rooted in purpose, from naming my brand after my grandmother to using it as a vehicle to give back to my community. I’m not just building a business, I’m building a legacy.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My relationship with God and my family, hands down. I wouldn’t be where I am today without God. At my lowest moments, He has always been the one I could call on to lift me back up. I spend time reading His promises over my life, what He’s written about who I am, and that’s what keeps me grounded when the industry gets overwhelming. I believe God gave me this talent for a reason, because of the impact He wants me to have on the world, and I don’t take that lightly. Every chair I sit someone in, every student I teach, I try to carry that purpose with me.
My family is my everything, they’re just my people. I’m the middle child of five, so between my parents, grandparents, and siblings, I’ve never lacked support or love. Building a brand thousands of miles away from them has been one of the harder parts of this journey. There are milestones I’ve celebrated without them in the room and moments I wish I could just drive over and see them. But knowing I have their love, and remembering how they’ve shown up for me over the years, carries me through the distance.
We spend a lot of time in this industry talking about the technical side of building a business, the branding, the strategy, the numbers. But none of that matters if you don’t have something rooted underneath it. My relationship with God and my family is what allows me to show up fully in every other area of my life. They’re the foundation everything else is built on.
Contact Info:
- Website: tempestruthhair.com (launching august 2026)
- Instagram: slayedbytempb/tempestruthhair
- Other: Booking – slayedbytempb.as.me/
