Inspiring Conversations with Nina Agbegha of NkechiBeauty Bar & Salon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Agbegha.

Hi Nina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story really begins with my parents who migrated from Nigeria in hopes to give their children a better head start in life with both education and opportunities. As a first-generation Nigerian American born here in the states, hard work, dedication and resilience was instilled in us from day one. In our household growing up, you weren’t allowed to not know what you wanted to do in life. Everyone was required to have some type of plan in place for their future. Preferably something in the medical or engineering fields. I’ve always had front row seats to entrepreneurship thanks to my parents. From putting signs in the yards for marketing to answering enrollment calls for their nursing school, it just felt like entrepreneurship was second nature for us. Growing up with sisters, hair and the upkeep of it was a task my mom passed off to my older siblings. I learned quickly that true power is in being self-sufficient after my sister denied my request for a bi-weekly touch up on my braids. The day I was told no was the day my life changed. In that moment, I decided that I would never allow someone to have enough power over me to keep me at a standstill with anything I desired, even something as little as a hairstyle. At just ten years old, I started braiding not just my hair or the hair of my siblings but my friends and classmates at school and before I knew it, I was getting paid and taking appointments in both middle and high school. For me, hair was always a hobby and side hustle until the day it wasn’t. At 18, I found myself to be a new mom. College was at the top of my list but I knew I needed to earn a living and earn it quickly. I decided to enroll into Aveda cosmetology school at 19 years old and take a chance at being a professional hairstylist. Shortly after I graduated, I decided to pursue a lifelong dream of mine which was to move to Atlanta and do hair. I packed up and moved with absolutely no one and nothing but my baby and I. Every single person in my life thought I was crazy. I was only 21 with a two years old baby and not a penny to my name. Moving to Atlanta, I faced obstacle after obstacle. From lack of finances to no childcare and homelessness. Life really felt impossible for me at one point.

To top it off, my cosmetology license didn’t transfer over which left me jobless in a new city with no help or support. My family back home in Florida begged and begged for me to come back home but I told myself I would never give up. I decided Atlanta was for me and being a stylist here was what I was called to do by God. I was not going to return home. I later acquired a call center job and studied for my boards which I aced. In 2016, I received my big break as a stylist when I decided to try out Goddess locs, a hairstyle originated by Dr. Kari Williams, out on myself. I styled my hair, made a YouTube video and posted it. Just for fun, I decided to let people on YouTube know I was a stylist and I take appointments for the style. I had no clue people would actually be interested or even inquire about the style. I was new to YouTube so I expected nothing to come from it. From that moment, my career as a stylist completely blew up. I went from having to work a call center job and do hair on the side to being able to dive into complete entrepreneurship with a full book of clients. Fast forward to present day, I was able to go back and obtain my bachelor’s degree in marketing, launch my very own cosmetics brand, NkechiBeauty as well as my newest baby NkechiBeauty bar and salon, a full-service salon where I offer amazing services such as braids, full face glam, various faux loc styles and much more. Today as a wife, mother of three, full-time entrepreneur and business owner, I thank God for the rough times and the foundation of perseverance & faith I was able to build over the years. Every life experience, obstacle, setback and trial set me up for the success I’m experiencing today.

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?
I have had anything but a smooth road. Chasing my dream came with so many tears and setbacks. I moved to Atlanta with literally $26 to my name after purchasing a vehicle and securing a place to live in the new city. I gave myself a deadline and choose to stick with it no matter the circumstances. I hit roadblock after roadblock once I moved here. From my cosmetology license not transferring over, leaving me jobless and broke, to not being able to afford food, rent, childcare or any basic necessities I needed to survive. On this journey, I faced eviction, having to work in undesirable conditions like a grocery store freezer on 12 hour shifts just to make ends meet.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about NkechiBeauty Bar & Salon?
I own two businesses, one being a Makeup & cosmetics brand named NkechiBeauty and a full-service salon by the name of NkechiBeauty Bar & salon. NkechiBeauty cosmetics is a brand that caters to women of color in hopes to put an end to the struggles we face in the makeup world. From lack of pigment to unflattering lip shades, sticky, residue filled glosses and all. NkechiBeauty has found the cure. A place where women of color can feel included and seen. NkechiBeauty cosmetics is mostly known to have the best Glosses. Our Glisten glosses are high and rich in pigment and leave your lips feeling moisturized. Our shade range accommodates women of color in a way that is not really displayed on mainstream makeup platforms. All Our Glosses are Anti – residue which is a huge game-changer. My Newest and second business, NkechiBeauty Bar and salon is the place you come to get it all. We specialize in braids, faux loc services & full face Glam makeup applications. The beauty bar is special because we carry our own in house cosmetics brand. The ambiance, aesthetic and vibe is unmatched. The beauty bar is a place to come, relax, unwind and leave feeling beautiful. We want our clients to have no care in the world which is why almost all of our services are all-inclusive. No having to go from hair store to hair store looking for the right hair, right color or anything. We pride ourselves on amazing experiences and superb customer service which I believe is an invaluable trait to have for business success.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
If you ask me, it’s only up for us when it comes to beauty and I love to see it. The biggest change I’ve seen is the level of diversity and inclusivity that is being displayed amongst the industry. In the next 5-10 years, I definitely see a sense of strong representation for people of color being a thing. I feel like we are already making headway now with brands like mine NkechiBeauty, Fenty beauty, the crayon case and much more. I know what representation did for me as a child growing up and I love knowing that not just I but numerous other brands are creating representation for young boys and girls out there as well. We can also definitely expect to see more brands collaborating outside of their field, for example maybe a Fenty x Louis Vuitton rollout and such would be beyond amazing. Anything is possible when it comes to the future of the beauty industry and that’s why I love it so much!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.NkechiBeauty.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/nkechibeautybar?utm_medium=copy_link
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCftOxON6PdTo0njmqrpw2DQ
• Other: https://locsbynkechi.simplybook.me/v2/ 

Image Credits
Photographer: Francis Aihe a.k.a Ieknows with Innovative Kingz, LLC Client Photos: Chiquita Wilder, Jasmine Conner, Arielle Walton