Today we’d like to introduce you to Makayla King.
Hi Makayla, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Coming from a family FULL of hairstylists and barbers, it was literally written before I was born what I would be. I thought I would be a children’s book writer or something to go against the grain but you can’t run from your calling! I was born in San Diego California but raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and I used to braid a lot coming up. That was my introduction to a career in hair. Braiding the guys in the neighborhood, doing my mom friends hair and my little sister’s hair as well.
I’ve always been a hard worker as the oldest of 4 girls so while in college to get my degree in marketing, I also worked as a stylist assistant at Salon EJS and worked as a file clerk for Lexus Dealership. It was A LOT but I had to do whatever to make sure I never had to ask for my family’s help. I was quite prideful, I guess lol Once I graduated, I was nervous to do hair full time with no clientele and bills but thanks to my now husband, he took over some of my financial load until my clientele was at a decent enough place which gave me the peace of mind I needed to focus on nurturing my career.
I now have 12 years of professional hairstyling experience under my belt, great clientele, a new hair extensions line called @DistinctHairCollection and looking to get into buying rental properties! God has definitely brought me a long way and I couldn’t be more blessed!
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?
I changed salons a few times trying to find my footing and build clientele all while trying to afford booth rent. At one point, I did hair out of my apt when I was 23 and it was going well until my apt got broken into. That had me shaken because I had no idea who it could be so I had to go back to a salon.
Going to college while working two jobs was definitely exhausting to say the least. Many times I thought what’s the point of even getting my bachelor’s? I already had my cosmetology degree but thanks to my mother, that allowed me to learn more about marketing myself or maybe even working on marketing for a big hair company like L’Oréal or Matrix!
I’m now in a new phase which is juggling being a new mom and an entrepreneur. Gone are the days I can work late every night. I would t say this is a struggle but just more of a learning experience that I’m figuring out every day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in healthy hair care which is a dying area of expertise, unfortunately. I come from a family who practiced and produced healthy hair care so to see so many new stylist disregards what grows out of our scalps is mind-boggling to me! Lol. My motto is ya gotta have something to attach the weave to ladies, lol.
I do a lot of silk press and transition clients from relaxed to natural. I also do a lot of extensions (with minimal tension) and crochet styles that serve as protective styles. I love being able to give my clients options and not just focus on one thing because when you’re natural, there sooo much that can be done.
I’m most proud of transitioning my clients because most people just cannot see themselves without a relaxer(I was one of them, lol) but once I get their hair to a thicker, longer and healthier state, I just smile from ear to ear seeing how happy they are with the results, I’m not bashing relaxers now but I will say it’s lit where the naturals reside! Lol
I would say my personality and customer service set myself apart. I try to be accommodating, educate you on your hair journey, and give you some laughs and great results while you’re in my chair!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In 10 years, I’ll be 42 and I pray I no longer do hair. Although I LOVE what I do, it’s very taxing on the body. I have all kinds of aches and pains from literally my hands to my feet and some days I feel like a 92-year-old! Lol.
I pray to be making great passive income in our residential and commercial lawn care business (Kings lawn care, check us out! Lol) As well as owning multiple rental properties! I just want to enjoy my family, travel and live how God said we should! Not worrying about bills and the evils of this world but making great memories and seeing this vast world God has created!
Contact Info:
- Website: Distincthaircollection.square.site
- Instagram: Hairbykayllc
- Facebook: Hairbykay
