Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Onimole.
Hi Aisha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I always had a lot of hair and it was always a fight when my mother had to do it. So I taught myself how to braid my own hair. I was coming out of the bathroom with all kinds of braided hairstyles and my mother was impressed. At the same time, my sister was going to a natural hair salon in Atl on Moreland Ave getting loc extensions. She told the owner that her little sister braids her own hair and she is pretty good at it and the owner told her to bring me in. So we went up to the salon and they told me to show them some cornrows and to braid loose hair down that was on a rack. Then they explained to me how to add hair and how many pieces each braid should have. I mimicked what they showed me and learned quickly. They hired me on the spot and I was 13 years old. The owner actually opened the first natural hair salon in New York back in the day. I worked with women from Senegal at that shop until I turned 15. The owner moved and I followed one of the top natural stylists to another salon, we were the only natural hairstylists at this location. Unexpectedly the stylist I followed and shadowed became ill. She passed away soon after and I just took most of my clientele and never went back. From there, I literally styled hair in my bedroom at my parent’s house. Thinking about it sounds hilarious to me like I had people coming to my parent’s house to my room for hours to get their hair braided. Many of my clients have become friends and some like family. I now have a space in my home that looks a lot more professional, it’s downstairs with a private entrance and restroom. I provide a warm welcome and get to work. We listen to music or watch movies and talk about everything.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
For the most part, it’s been a smooth road and a great experience. At one point, I was just squeezing clients and friends in because I was in and out of college. I took few breaks which caused me to lose my mojo at one point. I watched videos, took courses, and practiced to get it back. Especially with so many “new BRAIDERS”. I was blown away when I realized they were calling cornrows “feed-ins” because that’s all I ever did and that is how I was taught. I came from the era of braiders where we had to pre-stretch the hair and we pulled hair as we braid. I still roll the hair on my fingers to make sure each piece is the same (OGs know this method). The era where all we used was a duck bill clip and rat tail comb to part without using a thick product just oil. Now that was a braiding era!
We’ve been impressed with A Natural Touch by Aisha, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a natural hair stylist and specialize in natural styles such as braids, silk press, locs, twists, or natural styles without adding hair. I want to give all of my clients the best customer service and experience during their time spent with me. I like to provide a comfortable space for my clients as well. I like to tell my clients that I do not have a heavy hand and that I have a natural touch. I’m also a paramedic and my patients always tell me I have a natural touch!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love Acuity scheduling it’s super easy to use. I follow @thebraidersonlynetwork page, it’s a community of braiders and we give each other advice and tips! I listen to anything about business, customer service, and financial literacy.
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@anaturaltouchbyaisha.com
- Instagram: @anaturaltouchbyaisha
- Other: Anaturaltouchbyaisha.as.me/
