Today we’d like to introduce you to Helaina Payway
Hi Helaina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey as a braider isn’t the typical story. I didn’t grow up braiding the hair of close friends or family, nor did I ever imagine or desire that I’d become a hairstylist. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. Growing up, I had a deep love & adoration for all things beauty—makeup, fashion, hair—but I only expressed my creatively on my myself. At 13, I started braiding my own hair after realizing that many traditional braiders couldn’t quite achieve the looks I had in mind. I vividly remember one day in particular when I came home from a disappointing hair appointment and decided to cut the braids off entirely. My Liberian mother, who had spent over $200 on the style, told me, “You’ll figure out how to put those back in your head.” And whew I took that challenge! After watching a few YouTube tutorials, I slowly but surely learned to create box braid styles on myself.
From ages 13 to 18, braiding was a personal passion—I loved experimenting with styles on myself and consistently creating looks that I adored. Often, I would get compliments on my hair and people asked, “Do you braid for others?” My answer was always, “No, I don’t think I’d have the patience to do that for hours.” Ironically, by the time I turned 19, what I thought was a lack of patience transformed into passion, driven by my relationship with Jesus.
One thing that I believe is one of my gifts is my ability to effortlessly connect with others. When I started my freshman year at the University of Houston, I participated in a one week Summer Bridge Program hosted by the College of Business. That experience was truly life-changing—it gave me the confidence to embrace college and everything it had to offer. More importantly, during that time, I discovered my life’s purpose: to love and serve others. Connecting with people from different walks of life helped me realize how precious and unique each person’s story is. God led me to see that this was my calling: to view others through His lens of love and to serve them with intention. From that moment on, I was determined to embody that love in everything I did moving forward.
In 2023, I prayed to the Lord and asked Him to help me monetize a skill that I already had but wanted to align it with my purpose. As I reflected on my talent for braiding and my love for serving others, I realized I could empower people through hairstyling. For me, being a braider is so much more than just creating a style—it’s about connecting with others and honoring their beauty in its fullest essence. People are so precious and there’s nothing more fulfilling than talking with my clients during an appointment, hearing their stories, and then witnessing their smiles when they see their final look!
I’m so blessed that God revealed a way for me to combine my personal passion with my purpose to impact others. TheHeezyEffect’s motto, “Where the effect is everlasting,” is the epitome of this mission—to leave each client feeling radiant and empowered in a way that lasts far beyond their appointment.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve been an official braider for about a year and a half now, and if there’s one obstacle I’ve faced along the way, it’s learning how to effectively market my business. The braiding industry is highly saturated, so figuring out how to market myself and stand out as a braider was a significant challenge.
To overcome this, I learned the importance of diversifying my marketing strategies. Beyond social media, I recently learned that networking is a fundamental piece: in-person interactions, tabling events, connecting with other braiders in the industry, distributing business cards, and, most importantly, offering my clients a unique experience that goes beyond just getting their hair done.
Some advice to upcoming braiders/hairstylists: Let your “why?” or purpose be the driving force of your business always. Motivations and passions can fluctuate and sometimes even die. However, if you remember your purpose it can ignite the strength you need to take anything you do to the next level!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in knotless braids, box braids, faux locs and also do natural hair styling! I’m most proud of my brand’s mission as it’s the fuel to all that I do and quality of the styles I offer.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theheezyeffect.as.me/schedule/53822481
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheezyeffect?igsh=dTIxN2w2cnVtM250&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
All of the images are owed and taken by me: Helaina Payway.
