Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Harris.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The thing that inspired me to build an empire is making sure that I’m the 1st but not last of my family to create ongoing generational wealth. I don’t see many men or women who are business owners within the black community setting up to leave legacies for the next generation to continue. I want to make sure that mine are taken care of and I hope that this can be a form of inspiration for our community to start setting these opportunities for their families.
Since middle school, I always knew that I’d own my own hair salon, but I never thought that I’d be working in it. My dream job was to be an orthodontist and own a salon on the side. I entered and serviced the dental field for ten years as I continuously ran away from hair. That was until I finally decided to attend cosmetology school for the 3rd time and stepped out on faith to open my 1st salon back in 2011. I wouldn’t say it was an easy journey, but it was well worth it. I now aspire to create an all-things beauty empire. I feel that beauty from head-to-toe increases confidence, self-esteem, and self-love. With that being said today we own a salon, fitness center, spa, and cafe’.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has NOT been a smooth road. In fact, after my very 1st year in business, I decided to close my salon and go to another salon to booth rent. I’ve started over a few times. One with a business partner, and now with the business partners being my significant other and two daughters. Even tho I’ve been in business for myself a while now I am just now at the point of making sure I build a strong foundation and that was the weakness I had in the business from the beginning. I do everything I do for my kids. It may be cliche, but my biggest goal is making sure I’m able to leave a legacy behind for them and those after. I would also say that I do it for the naysayers. When it comes to putting yourself in any type of debt, for example, purchasing a home or a car, it’s always congratulations. I find it amusing that when it comes to investing in yourself and starting a business, it’s the total opposite. Let the naysayers keep talking because I’m in it to win it!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I feel like the number one thing that sets Diamond Kutz Beauty and Fitness aside from others is that we focus on the entire body from head to toe and within. Our specialty would be doing everything natural! On the fitness side, we train hard to have a built not bought body. We offer healthy but tasty meal plans. We even have a herbal cafe’ for your items such as Seamoss and Elderberry. Both our Esthetician and Make-up Artist are top-notch with education, technique and product choice. We have one of the baddest team of Cosmetologists in our salon specializing in textured, relaxed-free hair. My entire work family is amazing!
What does success mean to you?
Maybe I will be here on earth to see it and maybe I won’t. For me, I’m not completely successful until I’ve built and passed down my businesses to my kids, their kids, and so forth. Generational wealth is key! Money and fame can come and go but building a legacy will forever live.
Contact Info:
- Email: Dkbeautyandfitness@gmail.com
- Website: Dkbeautyandfitness.com
- Instagram: @Diamond Kutz Beauty, @Diamond Kutz Fitness, @yourdestinyybeauty, @blacdyamondd
- Facebook: Keisha Harris, Adrian Gaymon, Destiny Thompson, Dyamond Geona
- Youtube: Diamond Kutz Beauty and Fitness
- Yelp: Diamond Kutz Beauty and Fitness
Image Credits
Jeremiah Drummond
