Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiya (Brown Barbie).
Kiya, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
So, I remember it like yesterday because that’s what it feels like. I was up all night watching hair videos on YouTube and came across Ming Lee’s YouTube channel and watched a video that basically changed my life. She was telling her story on how she turned $500 into a multi-million dollar hair company and let’s just say she pretty much had me at millionaire lol.
Hair was always a passion of mine though. I was the little girl doing scalp braids on my baby dolls and curling their hair with the $10 curling irons from Dollar General. So watching this video pretty much sparked a childhood passion and ever since then, I’ve spent everyday chasing my dreams of becoming a multi-billion dollar stylist and businesswoman. My career as a stylist actually started while I was living in my hometown Sarasota, Florida. I was standing in line at H&M when I got my first client…A LAWYER at that. You couldn’t tell me nothing. She asked me who did my hair, I told her me and there it was I was officially taking clients. I worked a few 9-5s here and there while still doing hair but those jobs were never enough nor did they excite me. I worked in a few shops while living in Florida and clientele wise things were rocky. I had good days bad days, good months not so good months and again that wasn’t enough for me. It was literally times where I couldn’t even afford to eat. I would have to choose between me and my oldest daughter and of course, I chose her.
Thankfully my youngest baby was still on bottles. So as a young and talented but struggling mother, I had to make the best decision for me and my kids. My mom and brothers were already living in Atlanta so I decided to move and give it a try. I packed up my entire apartment and moved to Atlanta with $500! All I could think about was Ming Lee and how she changed her whole life with just that! It was a must I moved here and got to a bag period! I began posting my work all over Instagram and Facebook and clients began rolling in. In less than a year, I was able to TRIPLE my clientele and income so it’s a must I give a special shoutout to my ATL Brown Barbies! I love y’all to pieces and it’s only up from here!!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of the most impactful quotes I ever heard was, “Life is what happens in the middle of your plans” and let’s just say that’s the truest thing I’ve ever heard. Some things I’ve struggled with as a hairstylist and businesswoman was trying to sell a brand/lifestyle I couldn’t even afford myself. Imagine trying to sell bundles and you can’t even afford to buy them yourself. Something like that can be discouraging to anybody. But I kept going. Tbh, I know they say money doesn’t solve everything but most of my obstacles came from not having enough funds to fund my dreams and business plans. This made it hard to be consistent on Instagram, keep my stores open, etc. On top of life, maintaining bills, having kids, at one point I use to feel like I had so much on my plate, I just wanted to run away from it all. Especially because I was the type of person growing up where success and accomplishments came easy, so feeling like a failure wasn’t something I used to.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Brown Barbie Collection story. Tell us more about the business.
I am the CEO of the Brown Barbie Collection. My collection started off as a luxury hair extension and custom wigs company. I specialize and am most known for my lace installations & custom wig construction. Though I am securing the hair game, I always knew I was going to expand beyond the chair. My brand has grown into the all-around beauty brand. From hair extensions, a vegan cosmetic line, and now the Brown Barbie apparel is about to drop!! It’s lit baby the Brown Barbie Collection has come to take over, lol. Overall, I am most proud of my company being able expand and allow me to be self-made boss. What sets the Brown Barbie Collection apart is that I truly love making women feel beautiful. I see so many beautiful black women on a daily and they can all tell you I treat my clients/customers like real people and not just transactions. Whether you need a stylist, a friend, spiritual lightworker I am here. And to make it better, I don’t service just one group of people. I’ve made wigs for children as young as 4-5 with cancer and also grown women wanting to either have fun with their hair or use wigs as a solution to various hair loss situations. I inspire to give Black women the love, beauty, and appreciation & inspiration we deserve which is why I started the Brown Barbie Collection.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Good luck has played a huge role in bettering my business. Moving to Atlanta, I was worried about having to look for a job and starting all over. With good luck and determination, I was able to have clients booked before I officially moved here. Something I’ll forever be grateful of.
Contact Info:
- Website: BrownBarbieCollection.Com
- Phone: 6789074290
- Email: Brownbarbiecollection@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/BrownBarbieSlays
Image Credit:
Courtney Gurlie
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.
