Check Out Stormy Nolen’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stormy Nolen.

Hi Stormy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Cleveland Ohio and right after highschool, all I really knew is I needed a job. I never wanted to do anything too manual lol. I was introduced to a stylist who needed a shampoo assistant. When she left the spa, I assisted her at, the owner loved me and wanted to keep me so I became the receptionist. Just walking clients to the back I knew then I wanted to be more hands-on. I literally would ask the owner to let me assist the professionals and he made me promise if I would go to cosmetology school he’d hire me and find me my own assistant. Of course, I declined and decided to get my experience doing neighborhood people’s hair. At that point, my grandmother would always say… Girl go to school and get a license.

Finally, I went and graduated in 2009. During cosmetology school, I absolutely hated it!! I really thought I would be up in there styling but my behind was in somebody’s classroom. Fast forward to today… I had a son and wanted a better environment for my son and myself so I just up and moved to Atlanta. Really I didn’t know what I was going to do once I got here I just wanted out of Cleveland. After getting to Atlanta, I started working at a small restaurant downtown stone mountain. This was cool because I was able to bring my son to work most days with me but it did not provide. One day I walked into a salon and asked if they were hiring! I told the owner I don’t have not one client, I don’t even have a babysitter so I cant pay booth rent but I’m willing to do a commission. As my clientele grew, I knew I wanted to make a brand of myself but wasn’t sure how I was going to do it. After working in the salon for over six years I started taking classes and courses which pulled me away from the salon as often. I was focused on myself and my now two children. One day I literally woke up and said. Go look for a property! Almost never found one, so I stopped looking and then God just sat my Now location right in my lap! Like literally it was everything I was looking for and didn’t even look.

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?
No, absolutely not! There were definitely times where I had to sacrifice things at home to pay the booth rent I could no longer afford. There are peak seasons in being a hairstylist. I was just ever so grateful that I worked for a salon owner who allowed my to get back on my feet when I fell. If things wasn’t working out I switched my behind right back to commission. My main struggles would have been trying to be an entrepreneur with kids. I would have to bring them to work, take longer than needed on a client trying to tend to them and even cancel appointments. Sometimes I’d even pay a sitter, get to work and clients would cancel, so I didn’t even make money for that day.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a licensed cosmetologist. I specialize in many things but HEALTHY HAIR is my biggest priority. Yes I do weaves, chemicals, locs and braids but my biggest concern is to create healthy hair habits for my clients. I also do facial waxing, brow tinting and lashes! Those things for me are fun things. I am known for educating my clients on their hair care and also the girl who refuses to do any chemical when your hair isn’t healthy enough for it, I say… No I’m not gonna be able to do that until we build that hair up often lol. The thing that sets me apart is my personality, my love and care for each individual client. We have fun up in Salon Stormy Nolen!

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The thing that I can say that I love about Atlanta would be the women/men here aren’t afraid to try new things and be different. What I would say that I like the least… Hmmm that would be how people follow a popularity train. Not to mention a lot of the social media popular people have been skilled by the plain jane no one notices.

Pricing:

• Faux Locs $185
• Sew ins $150
• Knottless braids $165
• Silk Press/steam $60
• Quick weaves $75
• Brow tint $25

Contact Info:

• Email: Salon@stormnolen.com
• Website: Stormnolen.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/Stormy_Nolen
• Facebook: Yvonne Nolen
• Youtube: Stormy Nolen