Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanique aka Nique Williams.
Hi Nique, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I learned how to braid when I was in junior high, my brothers had hair and my mom told me to learn so I can braid their hair. Once I learned I started braiding kid’s hair at school charging the most of $30 lol so cheap back in the day. I stopped braiding after high school and didn’t pick it back up until Covid-19 hit. I was bartending and working at my current job as an assistant manager in properly management in March 2020. When the world shut down so did the bars and nightclubs. I’m used to having multiple incomes I was used to making a certain amount a month so I had to figure out how I was going to do that during the pandemic. I saw on Instagram that a lot of people were getting knotless braids and since I’m a visual learner I watched a few YouTube channels and one of my Friends let me practice on her! I literally kept redoing the first braid so many times! It’s funny now. Anyway someone told me you won’t take yourself serious until you start an Instagram page for your hair and I definitely knew I wasn’t that good to post my work but I eventually did and it’s been going every since! I started off working in my kitchen in a small in the middle of my sink and kitchen island and got to work! Now I have built my own salon room in my 2 bedroom apartment making my second room my hair studio. Everyday I get better and every head I do is me perfecting my craft!
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?
Absolutely not! To deal with slow bookings, cancellations, reschedules for the following month, or just nothing! It gets scary! I can honestly say I have a self talk with myself every two weeks because it can get discouraging if your bookings are slow or you not promoting enough content. But I can honestly say every time I’m in that unmotivated mood I check my email and get an appointment and I know the universe is just telling me to be patient!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in knotless and stitch braids! I started off being known for just knotless but as a braider you have to keep up with what is new and then came about stitch braids which are my favorite to do! I’m most proud of my work just to see the process of me getting better on my Instagram I still have pictures from when I first started and sometimes I just look at the growth and be amazed that I never gave up and even when my work wasn’t its best in my eyes it was getting better and better! What sets me apart from others is my customer service, I try to make my clients feel at home and feel comfortable and always make sure I leave a good mark on them for them to come back and I always express my appreciation rather it’s your first or second time coming to me
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Very outgoing, friendly, and goofy! I use to play basketball up until I graduated high school so I have always been good with people! For the most part, I am always fun to be around, I’m kind of the life of the party.
Pricing:
- Stitching starts at $85
- Knotless start at $150
Contact Info:
- Email: niquebraids@gmail.com
- Website: https://niquebraids.as.me/schedule.php
- Instagram: beyounique_braids
