Hidden Gems: Meet Kendra Lyles of Red Chair Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Lyles.

Hi Kendra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the owner and operator of Red Chair Studio. A braiding salon, mobile & stationary.

Red Chair Studio LLC was birthed during Covid. I’ve been braiding hair since I was ten years young (20 plus years) and licensed for six years. During my high school and college years, braiding hair was just for fun. Once I realized I could make a little money from it, it became a side hustle…until 2020. When Covid hit, the company I worked for closed indefinitely. I took that opportunity to invest in my talent/craft. StartME-Spartanburg gave me the necessary education, tools, & resources to successfully turn my hustle into a business.

I have worked with kids since I was 19 years old. In those years, I saw way too many kids bullied over appearances. I tried talking to those kids, but talking never stopped the bullying. I could never afford to buy nice clothing & shoes(for the kid being bullied), but I did have this talent/craft…hair braiding. I started braiding kid’s hair, especially the less fortunate. I started out doing it for free, that got old fast & heavy on my pockets. I then began to charge a very affordable price and on top of that decided I would be a mobile braider.

Kids don’t drive, right. So I bought this old RV, gutted it out, & turned it into a salon. Providing convenience & affordability, all in the name of stopping bullying! You won’t believe the confidence that shows up in these kids when they love the look of their hair. When they look good, they do good!

Thankfully, Red Chair Studio LLC is going strong and servicing all ages in the community, mostly youth & senior citizens. Unfortunately, my affordable prices were not enough for me to take care of my children & pay bills so I had to raise my prices. Because I still wanted to be able to help the kids less fortunate, I started a Red Chair Studio donation fund, where I solicited the community to donate the cost of 1 service in order to help a young girl or boy get their hair done without the burden of the cost. The donation usually comes with a recommended client already but the outcome is the same.

Red Chair Studio will be expanding in the future to teaching other young girls/boys how to properly braid hair. I’m patiently looking forward to it!

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?
The road to the grand opening of Red Chair Studio LLC was definitely rough…and even after. I attempted two times before now, and it didn’t work out. Getting the education on entrepreneurship definitely helped me get it right the 3rd time.

We’ve been impressed with Red Chair Studio LLC, 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?
As a licensed hair braider, I specialize in youth hair.

Along with the many years of experience, I have taken the necessary training courses on natural hair and braiding to be sure I’m growing my client’s hair.

The parents in my community tell me that my patience, tolerance, & willingness to work with kids sets me apart from other local braiders, not to mention they love my work.

I’ve come to be the most proud of the effects my work has on my clients. I can’t tell you how many messages I’ve received from parents about improved behavior in their kids because of a hairdo…more Confidence in their kids because of a hairdo…one parent wanted me to know she no longer struggles with getting her child to get out the bed and get ready for school, all because of a hairdo. Those messages keep me going.

Help me continue to pour into these kids, and donate if you can!

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
To all my clients, donators, & supporters, you are truly appreciated! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Contact Info:

• Website: Redchairstudio.as.me
• Instagram: _redchairstudio
• Facebook: Red Chair Studio