Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Tynia Dowdy of Decatur Ga

Tynia Dowdy shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Tynia, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
As A Haisrtylist in a fast growing business I am most proud to be able to Land on my feet. Being an Entrepenuer is not for the weak but I’m Godly Greatful to have the ability to Create. Going Through Losses, Betrayal, Sleepless Nights, Being Away from my kids while also dealing with Grief I wouldn’t change a thing. Unless your in a creative setting no one understands what it takes to build from the Ground Up. While others sleep I create even when I’m exhausted, my mind is troubled, things around me fallin apart I can still Create. I am HR, Marketing, CEO,The Website Builder etc. The Failures In Trying to See what works in a demanding industry without a real blueprint has been challenging but yet rewarding.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
So I formerly went by Good Karma but after collecting information I realized that no one really knew I did hair. When You hear Good Karma you don’t think about braids as your first thought so after having a cousins trip in Texas I decided to Rebrand to Braidz by Tynia. What Sets Me Apart is that I Have the knowledge of Hair not just providing a service but the education to heal the hair. I Love that its not solely about the money for me I genuinely do care if your hair is thriving under your style. Being a part of such an ever changing Industry you must always maintain Integrity. Your money doesn’t mean anything if your hair isn’t healthy after you take a style down after. Hair Is Alive and what and who you let touch or transfer into your hair Matters. Your energy intentions and knowledge all play an important part. My Mom taught me how to braid when I was 12 I Thank God for the bond and belief my mom had in me. Going in and out of Foster Care or being placed with family members she set me up with a tool that wouldn’t part from me but uplift me in a way I can now sit here and appreciate. When my mom Passed away in 2022 I didn’t think I would recover or do hair again I went numb and fell into a deep dark depression. Then I thought about the very first time I picked up a comb and how I felt doing so, working in the salon with my Aunt Deanna, watching her and my cousin Selena do hair when I was younger and the smiles it brought others. I decided to finish what we started all those years ago I currently will be moving into a Suite to provide a more intimate setting for my growing clientele. I will also be providing private 1 on 1 classes for upcoming braiders and parents as well so I’m excited for that as well. Lately Ive been getting into building websites for others as well. I am in a healthy Ceative flow right now so I will be focusing on that Im very talented and I have been shrinking myself afraid of true success but Im Ready Now. Getting back to my Social media endeavors, content creating, Haircare products, Brand deals you name it. Im Just Getting started and I cant wait to reach my full potential. I want people to use my story as fuel to keep going when life gives you lemons God also gives you blessings. Mustard Seed Faith is a real thing if you don’t where to start that’s ok start and take God with you in every room you Step into. Special Shout out to The Braid Bar for giving me my start when I moved to Georgia without a plan But I had God and a Dream with The Hustle to Match.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child I was always told you wont be successful doing hair its not a real job its a hobby. They were right its not a job its a Passion and Ive made more money doing something I Love more then I ever could working for someone else. I Now Know that if no else believes as long as I do I cant be stopped.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that this too shall pass and its temporary but a part of the process. Mind over Matter isn’t a true statement until you have to press past what you feel and what you see in order to make your dreams a reality.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
That Having a good heart and watching who you give it to is important. I Give because God gave me first so that’s what I know so that’s what I do. I don’t get worried about peoples intentions God sees all and will handle it accordingly. I Love Big and I Love Hard I used to be so apologetic about it but its what makes me who I am. If you do harm to someone that only existed to show Love what does that say about you? I believe in my heart that spirits are transferrable so I will continue to carry Love where ever I go. The rest will sort itself out its not something I need to worry about.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when I’m creating whatever it is at the time. I will sometimes get lost hours will feel like minutes when I’m in my zone. Waking up and being able to call the shots is a high all its own, freedom from it all. Depression, Anxiety, Fear, Doubt, Disbelief cant touch me when I’m in my element. God resides there in the stillness of my happy place when the world is crashing down I can still Create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://BraidzByTynia.as.me
• Instagram: Braidzbytynia
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@Braidzbytynia
• Other: Tik Tok – Braidz By Tynia

Image Credits
I designed my Website myself