Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My passion for hair and everything beauty started at an early age. I grew up in a hair salon surrounded by some of the top stylists that were from my hometown of Mount Vernon, NY. I often refer to myself as a “shop baby” because back then, parents brought their children with them to salons and all the kids played together either in the front or back of the “shop”. So naturally when you are around something so often you are bound to grow interested in it. That’s where it all started, my love for hair. Over the years, when asked the question of what I wanted to be when I grew up before anyone could finish their sentence, I’d jump right to telling them “A HAIR STYLIST”. My parents always supported my dream of being a stylist but wanted to make sure that I had a backup plan in case it didn’t work out. Right after high school, I went on to college to major in Psychology but still felt like something was missing, and realized I wasn’t pursuing my dreams. I enrolled in cosmetology school in 2011 and started to follow MY dreams. After that, I worked in many salons, specifically working alongside my cousin Tina Pearson throughout NYC & NJ until I relocated to ATL. To build clientele in ATL, I decided to enroll in a Master Cosmetology program at Shearz Institute which allowed me to improve my skill set and also build clientele at the same time. I completed my Master Cosmetology program in October 2021 and recently opened my Suite in December 2021.
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?
Along the way, there were many of struggles, but I learned to overcome them all. I was a full-time government employee by day and a part-time cosmetology student at night. I was balancing being a young adult working all while attempting to build my future. And if you know anything about going to cosmetology school part-time, you know that you attend class Saturdays usually from 9-4. I was 21, missing out on family events and social events with friends because I knew there was no room for failure and only room for success and my future was the most important thing to me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
With over ten year’s experience in the beauty industry and specializing in natural hair care, I consider myself a texturized hair and color enthusiast. I believe that healthy hair speaks louder than words, and I strive to provide cutting-edge salon services to clients throughout New York & Atlanta. I take healthy hair to another level and provide an aptitude of services to start you on your hair journey. What sets me apart is that I work to provide you with the style that you will love and feel comfortable with all while ensuring your hair remains healthy. While many stylists are into lace fronts, wigs and closures, I want to ensure that the client’s hair is healthy underneath the surface layer. I don’t want you to see a client and their lace is laid, but when removed they are left with unhealthy and damaged hair.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My fiancé has been my #1 supporter along this journey. I would not have been able to take this leap into entrepreneurship without his support and encouragement. He always provides the extra push I need when I want to throw in the towel and always tells me I deserve to be my own boss. My parents have also been supportive throughout my career. Often if you scroll through my Instagram, you may see a comment from my mom with “that’s my baby” LOL. When I opened my first suite in New Rochelle, NY in 2018 my Dad, was my handyman from installing sinks, removing cabinets, you name it.
My mentor in the beauty industry as mentioned earlier in the interview is my cousin Tina Pearson. My grandmother and her mom are twin sisters. Tina has been in the industry for 20+ years and has always provided me with the tools and advice needed to be successful. The start of my career began in her first salon in NYC. I can always give her a call or send a quick text for anything.
Contact Info:
- Email: Beautybydombrie@gmail.com
- Website: Styleseat.com/beautybydombrie
- Instagram: Instagram.com/beautybydombrie
- Facebook: Facebook.com/beautybydombrie
