Today we’d like to introduce you to Shatavia Portis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Shatavia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
During my immature years of elementary school, I found an extensive amount of interest in styling my own hair. My mother was also a braider so I would sometimes assist with her clients. Fortunately, that desire followed me up until I reached high school. Beginning my 9th-grade year, I was braiding hair in the kitchen of my parents’ home and by the time I was in the 10th grade, my dad cleared a space within his business’s building for me. I was more than happy to have a space of my own. From that point and up until now (at age 18), I have continued to make outrageous progress with an increase in clientele as well as the ability to give my people the most trending braid styles that they want and as expected.
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?
More than anything, this has been an adventure of varied change. There has been nothing that I have not adapted to or tackled. Starting off and building a base for your brand is always a struggle. When there are so many people that do exactly what you do, your brain is always working to innovate. It has been a beautiful struggle of watching my growth, meanwhile moving forward in the midst of it all. Right now, the struggle is being a college student and trying to insert what I do into this new environment.
We’d love to hear more about Melanin Hands.
Love is most definitely in the HAIR! In my community, I am one out of many other talented braiders. Name your braid style and I will lay it. I am most proud that I was able to enhance my craft from a very young age. It brings me the greatest of joy to provide my service as an addition to such beautiful women that trust in me to do just that. Being a braider puts me in an entirely different world. It allows me to connect with so many amazing people.
“I’m better than the hype. I give you life.” – Beyoncé
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of my favorite childhood memories has to be all of those times where I styled my own hair or even others at such a young age. Looking back at it has a hilarious effect, but the progress is more than impressive. As a child, I would have never known I’d be the me that I am now.
Contact Info:
- Email: shataviaportis22@gmail.com
- Instagram: sha_tastable
- Facebook: Shatavia D. Portis
- Twitter: @shataviaportis1
Image Credit:
Published Photographer: MGimagesstudios (Calvin Howard)
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
