Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanice Williams.
Hi Shanice, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi, thank you for the opportunity! For as early as I can remember, doing hair always came easy to me. I was doing hair while I was at summer camp when I was just 10 years old. It was fun for me. I started off doing box braids and Senegalese twists. I just picked up on it. No one taught me how. It was like I already knew how to braid from a past life.
I did hair all throughout grade school and in 2012, after high school, I went off to college. I went to Albany Tech and State and played basketball there as well. After getting my degree, I went back to tech to get my cosmetology diploma. I moved to Atlanta in 2019 and got my cosmetology license.
I knew that I wanted to be mentored by a stylist that was well-rounded and talented of course; That’s when I met a great stylist who has been in the industry for 20+ years. I learned a lot from him and assisted him for about a year. Then I worked in another salon for a while before I left and started doing my own thing. I worked out of a few booths for a while before I found my suite in Dunwoody.
I wanted to run my business the right way so I hired a business coach. She taught me a lot about systems, how to hire, money management, delegating, selling retail, opening a storefront, just everything about running a professional salon. She really helped in my development as a professional business owner.
I’ve been in my suite now for a year. People talk about the challenges of being a business owner and I get it now. You really have to be mentally tough but I’m growing and I’m really proud of the clientele and relationships that I’ve built. I’m excited for what’s to come!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s definitely been an up and down journey for me. I’ve been challenged in a lot of ways. Staying with the times and on top of trends with social media has been one of the toughest. Retaining clients is easy but you really have to put in work to get them to notice you initially. If it weren’t for my business I probably wouldn’t have social media but that is how I bring in my clientele. That’s why I respect content creators so much. I know the time and effort it takes just to make content. Sometimes I just want to do hair.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the salon owner and head stylist of Styles Align Studio. I specialize in extensions and natural hair care. I’m known for my classic and natural styles, microlinks and tight curl styling. I am most proud of my tight curl styles because I love seeing black woman being able to switch from extensions to their natural hair and feeling sexy and confident in either style. I think it’s very important for us to be represented in our natural state.
I think being a tight curl specialist sets me apart in Atlanta because there aren’t many curl specialists here. I teach my clients how to properly take care of their hair without using oils, raw butters and foods. You learned how to achieve hydrated and defined curls from me during your service. I address all of my client’s questions and take them through an unlearning process to get them to their obtainable hair goals. I just really love seeing hydrated curly hair taking up space. That’s “a way of life” I’m excited about.
What matters most to you?
Being in alignment with my purpose. I’m a big dreamer. There is a lot that I want to accomplish. I can’t do any of that in a positive way without being in alignment.
Contact Info:
- Website: stylesalignstudio.com
- Instagram: @stylesalignstudio
