Today we’d like to introduce you to Andria Wolfolk-Sands.
Hi Andria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been doing hair all my life. It started with doing my friends’ and family’s hair, flat ironing, curls, quick weaves, little styles here and there, just because I loved making people feel good. I even did my own hair for every major moment in my life: prom, graduation, birthdays, and even my wedding. Doing hair has always been my peace, my passion, my art.
But when I graduated high school, I didn’t believe I could make a real career out of it. I was scared that doing hair wouldn’t pay the bills or provide long-term stability, so I went to school to become a medical assistant. I worked different jobs, but deep down, I wasn’t fulfilled. No matter what I tried to do, my first love, hair always found its way back to me.
In 2016, I finally decided to stop running from my purpose, I quit my corporate job, stepped out on faith and enrolled in cosmetology school. Once I graduated, I started working in a salon. Everything was great at first, but I eventually had a bad experience that pushed me to step away for a bit. I started working retail, and while I was there, I met a woman who did makeup. We bonded instantly over the ups and downs of finding a comfortable salon space. I did hair and makeup, she did makeup, so we decided to combine our talents and open our own place.
In 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, we were furloughed from our retail job. I took another leap of faith and sacrificed my funds from unemployment to help open a full-service salon called The Kaviar Beauty Bar. We built something amazing, a one-stop shop that offered everything from hair, nails, and makeup to barbering, esthetics, tooth gems, laser lipo, and teeth whitening. We had a team of ten talented professionals and ran that salon successfully for nearly five years.
Eventually, we had to close due to the everyday challenges of running a Black-owned business. It was tough, that was our baby. But instead of letting it break me, I took it as a sign to evolve. I took everything I’d learned, from leadership and teamwork to customer care and business operations and poured it into my next chapter.
That’s when Pretty Impressive by Andria Daniele was born in 2024. The name came naturally because, honestly, everything I do is pretty impressive. I rebranded, moved into my own suite, and focused on what I love most, silk presses, natural hair, and protective styles.
Now I’m running my own space, continuing to build my clientele, and laying the foundation for my next big move, launching my own hair line and opening my own salon again soon.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road, but every bump taught me something that shaped who I am today. People see the pretty hair, the loyal clients, and the success, but they don’t always see the sacrifices behind it.
Moving from Long Island, NY to Nashville, TN, and now Macon, GA meant starting completely from scratch each time. I didn’t come with a built-in clientele or a network waiting on me. I came with faith, skills, and a dream. I didn’t know anybody, so every client I booked, every connection I made, and every relationship I built came from me pushing myself to socialize, learn a new environment, and introduce my work to people who had never heard my name. It wasn’t easy, but it made me stronger and helped me build a community and a brand from the ground up.
Balancing motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship has been another major challenge. I’ve been married for 16 years and I’m raising 3 beautiful children, two teenagers and a soon-to-be 3-year-old. Trying to grow a business while being present as a mom and wife requires patience, time management, and a lot of emotional strength. There were plenty of nights I stayed up working on business plans, and plenty of days I sacrificed family time to show up for clients. I’ve learned that balance doesn’t mean perfection, it means giving your best to what matters most in the moment, and continuing to provide stability for my family the best I can.
My greatest struggle was losing my first salon, The Kaviar Beauty Bar, it was one of the hardest moments of my career. My business partner and I poured time, money, love, and passion into building that space, and we were successful for nearly five years. But the pressures of running a Black-owned business, especially during and after the pandemic took a toll. Overhead costs, staffing, rent, and the emotional weight of trying to keep everything afloat became overwhelming. When we had to close, I was devastated. It felt like failure in the moment, but that loss became the foundation for my comeback. It forced me to evolve, trust myself, and step fully into my power as an individual stylist and entrepreneur.
There were times I doubted myself, times when money was tight, and times I felt exhausted. But my love for hair, my desire to inspire, and my commitment to my clients kept me grounded. So no, the journey hasn’t been smooth at all, but it’s been worth every challenge. It taught me resilience, faith, and the importance of never giving up on yourself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Master Cosmetologist and owner of Pretty Impressive by Andria Daniele, where I specialize in silk presses, natural hair, and protective styles like sleek ponytails, twist, sew-ins, and wig installs. Natural hair is my passion, I love helping women, men and children embrace their texture and showing that healthy hair can still be beautiful and versatile.
I’m best known for my silk press experience, that flowy, shiny, healthy finish that keeps my clients coming back. I don’t just style hair; I educate my clients on how to care for it between visits.
What I’m most proud of is the loyal clientele I’ve built over the years. Many of my clients have followed me through every stage of my journey, from cosmetology school, working outside of the salon, to co-owning The Kaviar Beauty Bar, and now running my own suite.
What sets me apart is my resilience, passion, and genuine care for every person who sits in my chair. Pretty Impressive isn’t just a brand, it’s a reflection of my growth, my faith, and my love for making my client’s feel confident and beautiful.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I just want to remind anyone reading this especially my Black entrepreneurs to keep going. No matter how many times life knocks you down, trust that every setback is preparing you for something greater. Losing my first salon was hard, but it pushed me to grow, rebrand, and rebuild stronger than ever.
Keep God first, believe in yourself, stay consistent, and never let fear talk you out of your purpose. Everything you’re dreaming of is already on its way, you just have to keep showing up for it. The best is definitely yet to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://prettyimpressive.as.me
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14N4ARtr7CJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Gary Watkins Production “GWP”
Profile photo
