Meet Joy Barnes of No More Hats Hair Salon

Hi Joy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi!! My name is Joy Barnes and I am from Phoenix, AZ. I am the proud owner of No More Hats Hair Salon. God gave me the name, No More Hats 25 years ago while I was still in beauty school. I thought it was a cool and catchy name. I didn’t know at the time that No More Hats was going to be my personal path to self-healing. It was the beginning of my journey, of me seeing myself as beautiful and knowing my worth and value. I learned that beauty radiates from the inside out and isn’t defined by other people’s opinions or thoughts. My life growing up was very performance-based and I looked to my achievements to gain acceptance. I looked to others to validate me. I was a huge people pleaser. Because of some bad choices | made in life, I felt like a failure, and for years carried a tremendous amount of guilt and shame. I let that define me and how I saw myself. I didn’t consider myself beautiful. I didn’t consider myself worthy of love or see that my life had importance. I did what I knew how to do, which was put on a hat. The hat helped me hide behind this persona that everything was cool when it wasn’t. It helped me hide behind achievements, to try to make up for the person I used to be, and I tried to right a wrong.

As women, we often wear many hats and it’s easy to think you’re doing work and not actually do the work. You can wear makeup, get your hair hooked up, overachieve, and wear the finest clothes and still be broken inside. There came a time in my life when it was time to do the work! God started to excavate my soul and heal me. That’s when I started to see myself in a whole new light. I remember asking God, “Why me?” And now I’m like, “Why not me.” I no longer define myself by my past. I now see myself as beautiful and now know my value and worth. The confidence I have in myself now is amazing. No More Hats is a ministry and I have the awesome opportunity to not only service clients’ hair care needs but to be a part of their journeys. I use this platform as a way to learn from others, meet people where they are, and minister with them. I use this platform to have deep talks, to laugh, to cry, and to encourage. It’s important to let them know they are not alone and to share stories. When the service is complete and earrings are put back on, and lip gloss gets refreshed, the joy for me sees heads held higher, a pep in their step, and a smile on their face, and I know I have done my job.

Alright, 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?
This journey has definitely had its set of challenges, but it has all been well worth it. I can look back at some of the obstacles I faced and see them now as a blessing. The growth and maturity needed for me to blossom as a person came through those tough times. I became a mom at 18 and was pushed into trying to navigate my way through life, understand motherhood, and find my place in the world. It was tough! In 2001 the Lord moved me to Atlanta. I had never been here before and was so scared. I had never just picked up and moved. This was a huge risk and to uproot my child and to move away from my comfort zone was a big deal. It’s one thing to jump out in the ocean on my own but another thing to uproot my child and take that leap.

Then… on top of that, I am moving to one of the hair meccas of the world and entering a market that was extremely competitive. This was a difficult challenge and it proved to be very intimidating. One of the advantages I had coming from Phoenix is that I knew how to work with all hair types. I started working at a salon called Ecocolors, not knowing God was going to develop my brand there and me. I worked there for 12 years, and during that time, I built a clientele, learned about product safety and ingredients, and worked with non-toxic hair color and products. Having that job stability helped me raise and get my daughter through school. It allowed me to grow as a person. I still had to take on side jobs at times to supplement my income. I felt weary many a day but the sacrifice has definitely been worth it. As a mom, you do what you have to do, and I wanted my daughter to grow up seeing what it took to go after what you want and fight for it. In 2005 I started No More Hats Hair Salon and in 2013, I moved into my own building. The day I had my grand opening, standing among friends, celebrating and being celebrated I experienced joy in its purest form. The sacrifices were truly worth it.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in and am most known for Hair Coloring. What sets me apart is my usage of Non- Toxic Hair Coloring and Products. I also offer non-chemical options such as Henna for those with allergies and other sensitivities. I work with all hair types, from straight hair to locs and service a very diverse clientele. I believe that the foundation of a good style is good haircare. I create unique conditioning blends based on the hair’s specific needs and encourage regular trimming cycles to maintain balance, shape, and style.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
During this pandemic, I have learned to slow down. To not only live for today, but to appreciate today. I learned to stop and take a moment to smell the roses and watch the sunrise. This pandemic has taught me that life is truly a gift and is very fragile. It has helped me face and deal with things that the busyness of life wasn’t allowing me to see or that I was masking with work. It forced me to let go of unhealthy relationships and things that were holding me back. I love my family even more now that I can’t be with them… that kind of emptiness hurts.

COVID-19 has forced me to work harder at creating a safe work and home environment for my clients, family, and friends. I now look at germs, bacteria, and viruses differently and see how easily they can spread and wreak havoc on people’s lives. I have a deeper love and appreciation for my clients that stepped up and continued to support me even when we were shut down. To be loved that much is dope!! It has always been my focus to get my affairs in order and handle my business, but don’t obsess about it like I used to. A much-needed change of perspective in this area was a must. I am much more grateful overall due to this.

Pricing:

• Haircuts $55 and up
• Haircolor $85 and up
• Natural Hair Styling and Locs $75 and up
• Deep Conditioning Treatments $30 and up

Contact Info:

• Address: No More Hats Hair Salon (Located inside My Salon Suites) 227 Sandy Springs Pl. NE suite 422 Sandy Springs, GA 30350 Door 205
• Email: Nomorehats2013@gmail.com
• Website: www.nomorehats.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomorehatshairsalon
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomorehatshairsalon

Image Credits
Ellimac Photography