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Meet Sylvia REESE of Stylesh Kenna

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylvia Reese.

Sylvia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started doing hair since I was 13 years old. My mom was a beautician so I was around it at a young age. Watching her on a daily, I took interest in hair and grew to love it.

My mom began teaching me her techniques and I started braiding hair for friends and family in the neighborhood. Throughout middle and high school, I was known for doing hair. After graduating high school, I attended a local community college where I completed my 1500 hours for cosmetology but I wasn’t allowed to take the state board until completing math and English courses. The community school that I attend didn’t allow you to take state board unless you completed math and English courses. In the midst of trying to finish school, some of the life toughest moments began for me. I found myself in and back to back an unhealthy relationship. The second resulting in a pregnancy and later realizing I’d be raising my daughter as a single parent. At that moment, I knew I had to make things happen because I wanted the best for her and me. I was born and raised in Mobile, AL which is a small town and I had no clue where my life was going to take me. I never had intentions of moving away from home but between disliking my job and raising my daughter without help from her dad. I knew it was time for a change. My sister lived in Atlanta. I visited almost every weekend. Every time I came, it was a breath of fresh air, which became my fresh start. I told my parents I was moving to Atlanta and they gave me their full support. I figured I’d be able to enroll back in school and finally following my dreams. Only to find out I had to start completely over because my schooling was from a different state. A new school was a new start and a way to meet people and build healthy relationships. I’m so happy that I followed my heart. Making this move allowed me to rediscover myself and focus on my goals. The beauty industry has always been a part of me and I couldn’t give up on something that I love and enjoy doing. Since being here, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with Yandy Smith, Ming Lee, Keke Plamer and many more. It’s also been great for my daughter who is one of the new faces for the justforme campaign! Atlanta has been one of the best decisions I’ve made yet. It’s only up from here.

Has it been a smooth road?
There have definitely been some challenges along the way. Moving from a small city like mobile to a fast city like Atlanta was kind of overwhelming because I never thought about moving away from home, leaving my whole family as well as raising a child on my own. Everything kind of happened so face when the time came. Having to crawl before you could walk was frustrating but I got through it. It was pretty scary at times, too. I must admit, trying to adapt to something different other than what I was used to. Expecting your life to go a certain way & it does a whole 360, it took some time getting used to.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Stylesh Kenna story. Tell us more about the business.
My business is styleshkenna LLC. Stylesh means staying stylesh from the inside out and Kenna being my legal middle name. Styleshkenna. My business is a hair business where I sell luxury wig units and relatable hair tools. I also create YouTube content where I customize, color and style wigs that I sell on my site. I also apply them on from time to time. I also have a workout brand called stylish n fit. It’s based around me showing my workouts in the gym & fitness routines as well as branding my waist shapers. I’m a momanger where my daughter create content as well as branding her. I’m mostly known for doing hair and selling wig units.

My most proud moments has to be me just doing it by myself that speaks value and happiness over my life. Everything I learned, I taught myself. I’m proud I have the mindset to keep pushing and to never give up on myself or what I believe in. You couldn’t have told me I would be where I’m at today years ago and I’m not even halfway where I want to be.

What sets me aside? I’m sure you hear this a lot, but me being me not no one else sets me apart. By not letting things or anyone get the best of me no matter what. My dilemma, my work ethic and creating things my way being different.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I definitely see my brand growing even bigger as long as I’m consistent and staying true to myself. I have more coming in store from both my daughter and I. I have a book coming soon so be on the lookout for that. I’m not where I want to be so I’m going to keep pushing.

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