Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Mitchell.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been braiding since the age of 12. I often worked with my older cousin who is also a braider. In doing so I picked up on a lot of skills such as speed and technique. When I graduated from high school, I went off to college, after a short stay I returned home and began to work in a corporate environment. I worked for two different companies over a five years time frame. I was laid off from one company after three years and was paid to relocate to Houston to work for the partner company. After working there for two years, the call center was closed down and I was being laid off again. This time I believed it was a sign from God. I wasn’t walking in my purpose. I was doing what felt comfortable to me. I wasn’t using my God-given talents. I went to the center to pick up my things and drove to the nearest cosmetology school and enrolled the same day that I was laid off. I couldn’t waste any more time.
After earning enough hours, I was approved to take my state board exam but I ended up pregnant with my now six years old daughter. I took some time off to concentrate on being a mother especially since it was my first time. Once I got back into the swing of things braiding was what I went back to, I’m originally from Louisiana so once I broke out as a “new face” on social media in Houston everything went so fast. I started with three clients and now I’m booked a month in advance. I did all of this by staying consistent and honing in on my craft and perfecting it and the work spoke for itself. It is my goal to open a school specifically for braiders because it is “glossed over” in the world of cosmetology. Braiding to me is an escape. It allows me to zone out and become in tune with myself. I thank God that I have been blessed with a craft that I use to support my family. I am forever grateful.
Great, 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?
No, there have definitely been bumps in the road. I have two daughters, one of whom I go pregnant with while still in beauty school and my youngest daughter came when I was at the “peak” of being a new braider in town. I literally went into labor while servicing my last client of the night.
Pretty Plaitz – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The name of my company is Pretty Plaitz. Plait being another word for braid. I specialize in small, precise braids. I am known for my neatness and attention to detail which just comes from me being a Virgo. As a company, I am most proud of the growth I have experienced in just a short time frame. What sets me apart from others is my patience. I love doing styles that take 8,10,12 hours because I enjoy watching the style come to life. I not the braider who has 3-4 people piled up on a daily basis just to make the maximum profit. I take my work and my brand very seriously. Which is why every style that walks out of my door has all of me in it. Each and every time.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far is when I was chosen out of 210,000 other braiders across the U.S. to participate in a braiding competition. To be considered, we had to make creative content to get the attention of the person who was going to be choosing the finalists. I was so nervous at first because I had never done anything like it before. I’m a very shy person so making a video or talking on camera was something I would never feel comfortable doing. I took a leap of faith and created a video and all of Houston got behind me and helped me get recognized and I was flown out to participate in the competition in New Orleans alongside 20 of the most talented, down to earth women I have ever met in my life. I didn’t win the competition but the person that did definitely deserved it. Being able to see the love and support that the city had for someone who wasn’t even from here was overwhelming and gave me motivation to give even more of my craft to the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: prettyplaitzllc.as.me
- Phone: 8329041913
- Email: prettyplaitzllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: @prettyplaitzllc
- Other: also instagram: @s_helby__
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