Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Nelson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My journey begins in high school in my sophomore year. I was enrolled in cosmetology and got accepted. At the time, I didn’t want to be a part of this program but my parents pushed it. So, I completed the program, collected my hours and by the time I graduated from high school, I was a licensed Professional. That still didn’t mean anything to me till I got to college. None actually knew I did hair till maybe my sophomore year in college when I was asked, “how is it my hair is always perfect?” from that one question followed by my response of, “ I do it myself!” My life changed. I started getting asked to braid, cut or Retwist hair in my dorm room. With the in and out traffic from my room being noticed, I started to actually get in a lil trouble. The dorm director at the time knew a lot of important people in that town so he helped me by putting me in contact with a guy that owned many buildings. I met this guy and we talked for along time about what plans I had which were little to nothing. He has seen something in me that I did not see myself and gave me one of his building to run a business. My rent for the building was only $300 a month with ALL bills paid and he provided all the furniture I needed. I stayed in that building until I graduated. My clientele had gone from just a few college students to the whole town knew my name. I loved it!
Then, I moved to Houston in search of a teaching job to actually put my degree to work while at the time doing house called since my name was starting to ring bells everywhere and driving back to my shop one weekend out the month. The job search was an epic fail. None wanted someone fresh out of college but my hair business was starting to take over. I ran across a special client whose barber was a guy who was finalizing the paper work for his shop. That client must have sold me before I even knew I needed to be bought. This new shop owner contacted me consistently and I would just give him false hope, Till finally I besides to go check it out. I met him at the shop around 10 pm on a weekday and he had about two people waiting for haircuts. 2 stations, 1Tv and fresh floors I was already sold. But our conversation was really what sealed the deal when he said I have already research you and your work and I want you on my team. I told him to give me a month to closed down my shop out of town and I’ll be ready on the first with no clientele! Within the first month, my clientele has grown rapidly from word of mouth and fliers I had made and passed out everywhere I went. That was just three years ago. Within those three years, I went back to school and received my Barbers license which doubled my clientele and opened me up to so many more services. I am still in the same shop and I’ve watched the shop group as a whole and as individual business
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being a female barber in a predominantly male industry is very challenging. You really have to prove yourself and come harder than the male barbers just to get noticed. For a while, I couldn’t get a soul to come sit in my chair. They would walk right by me like I wasn’t there to go to someone else or wait hours before they could get in a chair other than mine. Very depressing but I overcame. I continued to produce great cuts and even better styles until I made them notice me and my worth. Another challenge I still juggle with is family and work. My mom got extremely ill right when business begins to boom. My time became even more important at both places and I didn’t know how to handle it without losing clients and seeing a downward slope in business. So, I trail and error a few things like adjusting my work hours, actually set appointments and even increase my work speed. These things helped but my time was still be wasted with people not showing up to appointments. This caused me to become strict with my clients and make everyone go online to book their appointment where a card has to be present to even hold your spot. This worked out best for me and actually helped out with my timing and gave me more time to take care of my mom and still continue to run my business to its full capacity. I had to take control or my business would have run me.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with RoyalDreads – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am a certified Loctician, licensed Barber and certified in hair unit!. For short, I make people look and feel their best. When they leave my chair, they don’t have to go anywhere else be out. I pride myself on all my talents and actually using them to changes people perspective on life. But I also pride myself on my dedication to my brand. I haven’t pushed anything this hard in my life, and my clients can feel that with each service I offer.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
They are BIG things coming for my brand!!! you guys just have to keep your eyes open and remember the name.
Pricing:
- Adult Haircuts $25
- Kid Haircuts $20
- Loc Retwist $75
Contact Info:
- Address: 12033 Highway 6 Suite 200 Fresno, Tx 77545
- Website: Styleseat.com/Royaldreads
- Phone: 832-696-2282
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Royaldreads
- Facebook: Royal Dreads by Renee Stylez
- Twitter: @RoyalDreadshtx
Image Credit:
Renee Nelson
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
