Today we’d like to introduce you to Tajia Harlem.
Hi Tajia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey within the beauty world began when I was a little girl. My biggest attraction was hair. My mom would braid our hair regularly and it always came with her go to line, “You’re not going anywhere looking crazy” lol. I’ve always been extremely tender-headed, sad to say I never grew out of that phase unfortunately. However, I always included my “tender head” as being one of the biggest reasons I myself started doing hair. I will never forget the summer after fifth grade year. I begged and pleaded with my mom so she’d allow me to do my own hair moving forward. As cute as she always got me with my varying styles, I just couldn’t take the pain any longer and I knew after watching her do mine and my sisters hair I could do it myself! My mother somewhat tested me and I had to show her that I could braid my own hair, which I of course passed! From then on, I was creating my own styles! My family kept me with doll and mannequin heads and that’s where my technique began to develop. I even started doing my sisters hair. As I got older, my little “free” clientele grew as well. I absolutely loved it!
After graduating high school, I made the decision to turn down my school offers and go to cosmetology school. The plan was to get my cosmetology license first so that I was official and then go back to school for what I thought I wanted to do full time, lol. I guess I originally looked at my skill of doing hair as a secondary side hustle. I learned so much and unexpectedly started growing a clientele while in cosmetology school and I just ran with it!
I graduated cosmetology school in October 2013. From there, I went straight into the salon environment working in a mall salon. It wasn’t long that I realized I personally did not like the environment I was in. Being the youngest, only 18 at the time, it was very difficult gaining true respect from the vets there. They seemed to love me outwardly, but I wasn’t taken seriously and it showed. I soon jumped into a salon suite which although at the time I loved having that space to grow, I realized that my clientele just wasn’t big enough to sustain me there. Looking back, I think if I had had a mentor within my profession, it would’ve helped me through some of those hurdles. My biggest support was my mom who hustled to help get my name and business cards out there. She was there from day one motivating me!
Eventually, I did leave the suite because I felt I just wasn’t ready for that step and I pursued a high-paying office job. I absolutely loved this job because it utilized other skill sets I had and enjoyed. I was again the youngest there and I somehow beat the other testing prospects within the interviews and skill set tests. I was so surprised especially since I did not have a college degree. While at this job, they became like a little family and I never stopped doing hair on the side. I built my clientele on the side for a few years while at this job and that turned out to be a blessing for me.
After I got married, my amazing husband pushed me to take the leap in quitting this job and starting my own business as a hairstylist and product developer.
2020 I rebranded what was originally a side hustle and I made things official with my brand Knot Your Crown LLC. This was my first year solely working for myself and I’ve been amazed by the growth! Within this time, I’ve developed a few products that have each blew our minds with sales! I’m happy to say that by the end of 2021, my products made it to a few beauty supply stores and have become one of my biggest sources of success.
It’s been an absolute dream meeting new people through my business. My clientele has grown so much and the encouragement and support I receive from each of them is what motivates me to keep going. I’m proud to share my craft and passion to the world and thankful for the opportunities I’ve received.
I’m also thankful for the large support system I’ve been blessed with. My husband motives and attends to every need while running his own business and my mom fulfills whatever role I may need at the time. My siblings and close friends have been assistants, packagers, runners, front desk personnel and everything else, lol. I can with confidence say that I may have started Knot Your Crown, but it encompasses more than just me. I’m just grateful to be a part of it alongside everyone else.
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?
There are always bumps along the way. I’ve experienced being “the youngest” within my environment several times and not being taken seriously but I learned after a while how to command my spot in the game. I’ve also experienced the setbacks that come from within. Feelings of unworthiness because of Initial lack of experience. Or the highs and lows within this industry where some months are slower than others.
I’m still learning with each roadblock, but I will say that I’ve learned that pushing through and believing in yourself always prevails in the end. Along with getting creative and finding other ways to supplement even the slow seasons.
As you know, we’re big fans of Knot Your Crown LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My company name came from a few different things that represent me within my profession. I specialize in protective styles and although I’m skilled in other avenues, it’s my preference and what I’ve become more known for. Hence the term “knot” to represent all kink’s & tangles. The term “Crown” also mentioned in the Bible, shows how highly I view hair as a whole. It’s something that the majority identify with and it represents something highly valued that deserves care and special attention. My attention is always to hair health first. I aim to make everyone who sits in my chair feel and look beautiful. I’m simply here to enhance what you already have and give everyone that “wake up and go” beauty that we all crave with my protective styling and products.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is within each individual. What are you passionate about? What will it take for you to obtain your desire? And are you willing to give it your all? Once I learned this for myself, success for me, even with the hurdles, was not too far off. Even when I didn’t have as many clients or my products weren’t selling as much, I still felt successful because I was happy doing what I loved and on my own time. Success isn’t determined by another person’s “level” in life because each person’s levels are different. The level I feel I’m on is amazing and I’m enjoying it but I will always keep challenging myself and striving for the next because I personally always have a new grand idea and goal to accomplish, lol.
Pricing:
- Reversible double silk bonnets $15
- All natural scalp drops $7-$20
- Double silk edge bands $6
- Crown control $8
Contact Info:
- Email: Beauty@knotyourcrown.com
- Website: www.knotyourcrown.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/knotyourcrown?utm_medium=copy_link
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/knotyourcrown?_rdr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCmq3UNIwFgFBd8o6uvwjFXw
- Other: Knot Your Crown LLC. would love your feedback. Post a review to our profile. https://g.page/r/CXnCnxMptqXtEAo/review
Image Credits
Ashley Thornton (photographer for the 3 event throne chair pictures) Nicole Roussaw (photographer for the wedding picture)
