Today we’d like to introduce you to LeCreshia Maddox.
Thanks for sharing your story with us LeCreshia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The fall semester of 2003 is when my journey in the beauty industry started. Before summer break, I was accepted into the Cosmetology Program where I attended high school. Throughout the two year program, I participated in USA Skills VICA.
It’s a competition among all vocational departments in the surrounding school districts. Both years the fantasy projects I entered received 1st place ribbons, as well as in the nail care competition. These events were the highlight of my last two years in school. Upon completion of the hours needed to be eligible for both written and practical exams, I knew it was time to look for my first job in the salon. I passed both exams during the summer and waited for my license to arrive in the mail. Let the job hunt begin. I remembered different recruiters from local area franchised salons coming to speak to our class about their salon locations, so I tried those first. I’ve worked for many franchise salons over a 12 year period starting out as just a hairstylist and worked my way up to salon management. In 2017, I took a leap of faith and started with what I had. My faith, a dream, my business and technical skills, $500, and styling tools accumulated over the course of my career. June 5, 2020 will be Royalty Divine Hair Salon’s three year anniversary in business.
Has it been a smooth road?
Along this journey of entrepreneurship, I’ve faced many challenges to which I’m very grateful for. Every minute of every day is a learning experience. My first struggle came in the form of financial hardship. I parted ways with a position where I received a guaranteed paycheck every two weeks, into the unknown freedom of when I’d have income coming in. After I transitioned into my new location, I lost clients and gradually gained new ones by word of mouth. From this experience, I learned which clients were truly for me, and they are still supporting me to this day. There were some weeks I serviced 0-3 clients in a week and didn’t know how I was going to pay bills. I wasn’t prepared for this. Eventually, the funds I did have ran out. I had to move out of my apartment and into the homes of my family. I could have made the easy choice to close the salon and give up right then, but risking it all for my dream was the right decision for me. Material things can be replaced, my dream is worth fighting for. It has been a very challenging time for me mentally grasping the fact of my living in my own place to sleeping on a couch, air mattress, or sometimes a bed depending on whose house I was at. I didn’t understand it at first, but I soon learned that God was stretching me mentally and spiritually for the MORE I have been praying for.
The next obstacle showed up in the form of a letter. A “Cease and Desist” letter came from the last franchise company I was employed with. False accusations of competing with their salon for similar services my company charges two times more for. I was in complete shock and disbelief, scared even. Here it is you build a relationship with others, spending more time with them than your actual family. I didn’t understand how individuals with an already established company, was so concerned about me starting a business that no one knows exists. I serve a God that is bigger than any obstacle that may come my way, I turned to God for guidance along with wise counsel. My faith is bigger than fear, I am still in business.
Far from the last obstacle I may encounter, I had to make a decision again to keep the doors of my business open and relocate or close altogether. Suite rent was very expensive where I placed my business. Financially, it didn’t make sense to continue doing business there or stay open for that matter. I shared my challenge to close individuals whose advice I value and have a sound mind. Closing wasn’t an option. Needless to say, I’ve relocated my business in the same area, I have a bigger suite, and suite rent is hundreds of dollars cheaper. Since the relocation, my business has taken a shift and I’m quickly reaping the fruits of my labor. I thank God for my FAITH and to God alone belongs all the glory.
These challenges/obstacles I have and will encounter are bigger than me but not bigger than my faith.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Royalty Divine Hair Salon is a multicultural salon providing hair care services to women, men, and children. The services I provide are precision haircuts, silk press/blowouts, hair color, relaxers, select braid styles, and facial waxing.
I am proud of having the ambition to build a business from ground up that will one day be able to bless members in our community. Growing up in a single-parent household, I had a front-row seat to the struggles of how hard life can be with the lack of assistance to push people into their destiny. Instead, struggles kept you running like a hamster in an exercise wheel. Admiring the work ethic and sacrifices made by the women in my life to provide for their families, working for other people isn’t how I wanted to spend my life. I wanted to be in the driver’s seat. So here I am, pressing forward through it all to lend a helping hand for others along their journey.
What sets Royalty Divine apart from others in the beauty industry is the obligation I have to my clients by showing them I value their time. A huge problem in the salons today is how clients are left feeling neglected or rushed due to stylist having a lack of time management. The clients that are divinely connected to my business receive one on one time for their appointments. No other people waiting in the suite to be serviced. I have strategically timed each service I offer so clients know in advance how much time I will need out of their day. In this intimate space, clients can be open and vulnerable if they choose to do so. Hairstylists offer more than hair care. We are therapists as well. We have the privilege of sharing in the most exciting and life-changing experiences our clients endure. By offering a relaxing environment and continuously showing them they are valued, they made lasting relationships where strangers become friends and friends become family.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I do feel our city is a good place for businesses like my own. Salons offer a wide variety of hair care services and specialties. With Houston being such a diverse city, there is a place where every person can feel welcome and be serviced to their personal preference. I believe for someone just starting out in business, Houston is the place to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.royaltydivinehs.weebly.com
- Email: royaltydivinehairsalon@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royaltydivinehs
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