Conversations with Keyundra Gilmore-Burden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keyundra Gilmore-Burden

Hi Keyundra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Hello, my name is Keyundra originally from Miami, FL. I relocated to Hampton, Ga 3 years ago. I’m currently working in the healthcare field, but plan to soon take on braiding full time. I started braiding hair at an early age. At the age of 10-11, the only thing I wanted for Christmas was a “Kenya” doll. She was a black doll that came with a lot of hair and I would practice braiding it on my own. At the age of 14, I held my first summer job, and was placed to work inside of a hair salon named Le’Chic that was located in Naranja, FL. Working in the salon gave me insights of what really goes on in a hair salon. Once the summer ended, I no longer worked for the hair salon, but my father’s girlfriend at the time worked inside of a salon, in which I would go with her almost every weekend and she would let me wash her client’s hair. I quickly learned how to crochet hair and was charging $15 lol. Well at that time, being in the ninth grade with no responsibilities, the $15 came in handy. I quickly began learning how to braid by practicing on my little sister’s and cousin’s hair. The thing that stuck with me the most was “stop braiding so tight”. I took a break from braiding, and would only braid my daughter’s hair. Prior to moving to Georgia, I began to take braiding more serious, but it was on again, off again because I knew I was leaving. I often gave back to the community partening up with a school age friend from 1988 (yes way back when) lol, and I selected a few girls with good grades to braid their hair at no cost, and she would supply their bag packs with school supplies. Once I relocated to Georgia, it was a coworker of mines that encouraged me to start back braiding hair after styling her braids. We became closer and she stills promote and encourage me to keep going. I continued practicing because I could tell that some of the Braider’s here were so bomb, and I challenged myself to become even better. I purchased a mannican head, and YouTube was the best teacher for me. I offered to do another back to school give away knowing that would allow me to have actual models and I can practice the techniques that I learned from you tube. 3 years later I am a Master Braider. I’ve mastered and accomplished different braiding styles that allowed me to gain almost 60 clients and majority of them are repeated ones. I’m a home-based Braider located in Hampton, Ga, and I’m also a traveling stylist. I offer different styles besides braiding, I also offer Sew-ins, wig installs, crochet styles, soft locs, and butterfly locs. I recently created natural hair oils and hair grease that will be released next month, so I’m super excited for my next big project. Braiding hair is therapy for me so to speak. If there is a new style that comes out that I want to learn, I have no problem taking a class so I could too be offering the services. No matter how I’m feeling, once my client sits in my chair, and I put the cape on them, it seems like I’ve just landed on the moon. It takes away anything that has happened during the day good or bad, and it puts me on a different tune. Seeing the way my clients react to their style, and knowing I gave them exactly what they asked for, assures me that I’m a master at what I do. Hearing ” omg, I didn’t think it would come out like this”, or “you have me feeling myself” makes me toot my own horn and clap for my damn self! My response to the feedback is always “That’s the goal, because I have to make sure you come back”. I tell my husband that social media is my new hustle because the way I promote is insane. But I do know slow feet don’t eat, so I have to make sure my laces are tied and I’m ready to run and chase after my client’s. I don’t worry about the hype, or whose more clients because I believe quantity over quality, that’ll assure me that their coming back. Making sure I educate my clients on how to care for their hair is a big deal for me. I solely believe that not everyone has money to waste. Yes, I don’t mind taking your money, but at the same time, make sure you are properly taking care of your hair so it’ll last 4-6 weeks instead of 2 weeks. As I mentioned earlier, I love giving back because it’s not always about money, money can’t buy your peace. I still give back, offering discounted services with certain hair styles, and sometimes I’ll even extend it, because not everyone was able to catch the special or if the special is going really well, I’ll make sure to keep it going. All in all, braiding is most definitely my passion. I take pride in to what I’m doing because it’s not just hair, it’s a lifestyle. Everyone has their own lifestyle, mine is creating Beautii, one day at a time……

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?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road because I was undecided on whether or not I really wanted to go back to braiding. I would make excuses that my hand hurts, or pay someone to do my daughter’s hair knowingly I could have done it. When you want to become the best at something you just have to put your all into it and never give up because one day the light will turn on and you will shine from above.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m currently a certified medical coder, currently working with a hospital here in Atlanta as a Precertification coordinator. I’ve always seems out ways to have someoto fall back on but knowing it’s deeper than that makes me even more hungry for success. I’m known for my bubbly spirit. I can instantly connect with others without warning. I’ve learned to pray before being introduced to people because of the soul tides and I’m so cautious as to what my soul intertwines with. I specialized in many different braid styles: Box braids, Knotless braids, Butterfly locs, Soft locs, Wig installs, Crochet, and Sew-ins. I’m most proud of how I’m able to be a wife, a mother, an employee by day but an entrepreneur by night. Being one person wearing so many hats is not for ever. You’ll have to fight or flight. I can accomplish anything put my mind to. I’m skilled in may different areas. But it’s the braiding for me. The thing that sets me apart from everyone is trying to see the good in every situation and in everyone. I look for a positive outlet instead of creating more trouble than what it seems. I can’t stay mad at other for too long because of my conscious constantly talking to me. I’m very relaxed and easy going, and I live for laughing. Everything is funny to me. I often laugh so hard at times; my head hurts lol.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Let see…. My most favorite child hood memory is being in the 8th grade, and shaving off my eye brows trying to arch them. Whew what a lesson I learned…

Pricing:

• Box Braids *Lrg $135 *Med $165 *S-medium $200 *Small $250 *Extra Small $320
• Knotless *Large $150 *Medium $200 *Small $260
• Soft Locs *18 inch $180*24 inch $240 *36 inch $270
• Butterfly locs -$150
• Wig install-$100

Contact Info:

• Email: Beautiiskey@gmail.com
• Website: www.beautiiskey.com
• Instagram: _beautiiskey
• Facebook: Beautiiskey
• Twitter: @Beautiiskey