Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayana Abakah.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ayana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My love for hair started as a child. I would cut and style my Barbie doll’s hair the best that I could without burning them and the house down. Haha!
I am also an artist so hair and art just flows together for me. I love art but I REALLY fell in love with hair more in high school. My old hairstylist at the time hired me to be one of her assistants at her salon. From there, I was able to see that I could really make my love of all things hair into career.
When I graduated from high school, I almost took the “safe” route by enrolling into college for graphic design. Financially me nor my parents could afford that expensive school. So that fell through, thank God! From there, I decided that I really wanted to enroll into cosmetology school and get my cosmetology license.
While working in the salon, I wanted to connect with women, specifically women who loved all things short hair. So in 2009, I created my website TheHaiRazor.com and then YouTube Channel, TheHaiRazorTV. Those channels opened up so many doors for me like being featured on Essence.com twice and working with The Cut Life.
Today I am currently “retired” from behind the chair after having my daughter a year and a half ago. My love and passion for hair hasn’t changed though. I recently developed my first hair product, The HaiRazor Hair + Skin Oil, which is becoming a beauty staple for so many women.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There has definitely been challenges along the way. One in particular is the naysayers. I had folks telling me to have a back up plan when I went to cosmetology school when I started working in a salon professionally and when I decided to retire. I ignored them every step of the way and excelled without a backup plan!
The HaiRazor – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
TheHaiRazor.com is for the short hair lover. I initially created the site for women who had no clue on how to take care of their hair after the salon. Unfortunately, there are a lot of women who are not being educated by their hairstylist about at home care and products. I offer online hair tutorials, tips, product suggestions and more. I recently started to work more behind the scenes with other hairstylist who want to excel in their career.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is what makes you happy. Do you enjoy waking up daily and doing what you do? Can you do it even if no one paid you? For me, yes, I’ve done all that and some! I thoroughly enjoy connecting with other women and hairstylist. I also love seeing someone with my shirt on or using my product in their hair everyday. That’s success. The impact, the connections, knowing that every day I wake up and do what God has called me to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehairazor.com
- Email: hello@thehairazor.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thehairazor
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehairazor
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/thehairazor
- Other: www.youtube.com/thehairazortv
Image Credit:
Sylvester Abakah – Hakaba Design
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