Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Rogiers.
Hi Melissa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My Mom and I moved to Atlanta in 1999, I was about eight years old at the time. She was in cosmetology school and working as an apprentice in a salon when she brought home her mannequin training head. She taught me how to do a cornrow and a plait and that’s where it all began. I practiced all day every day on her mannequin you would have thought it was mine. Fast forward a few years, I started to practice braiding with synthetic hair, a technique now known as “feedin braids”. From there, I would braid anyone’s hair that would let me, friends, family, anyone! My sixth grade classmate was one of my first clients. I would go to her house with my products, do her hair and her mom would write me a check for $50. I did all the trendy braids back then from the Iverson braids to a dollar sign in or a criss-cross braid, I would do anything in your hair if you let me. I was obsessed with hair magazines back then and would replicate the styles I saw on my friends and sometimes myself.
Fast forward to 2013, I was a junior in college and had recently been let go from a job. It was then that I realized I didn’t want to work for someone and I started to think of what I could do to make money. At the time, I loved makeup and wanted to become a makeup artist but building a makeup kit required a lot of money. So I figured I would start braiding hair, use some of my earnings to build my kit and then transition into makeup. Well, we can see I never transitioned into makeup. Braids by Mel Orlando started in my little college apartment where I setup my “salon” in my dining room area. I bought an actual salon chair from a salon that was going out of business and some mirrors from IKEA. I stuck the mirrors to my wall and then I posted an ad on Craigslist. I thought I would just give it a shot, if it didn’t work out, I would apply for some jobs but at least gave it a shot. I landed my first client April 2013 from my Craigslist ad and it was up from there. I had a really solid clientele in Orlando that I built off of word of mouth, referrals mixed with a little social media. At the time, I didn’t really use social media to my advantage, it wasn’t the way it is now, so business-driven. I did all styles, braids, crochet styles, and my most popular, Senegalese twists.
After graduating college, I felt lost for a moment. I had no desire to go to Pharmacy school anymore, even though I knew it was a good career with great pay. In 2016, I decided I wanted to move to Atlanta and do hair, and if it didn’t work out I would consider pharmacy school or get my Master’s in Public Health (MPH). As we can see it worked out but it definitely didn’t happen overnight. The saying blood, sweat and tears is true. My success here in Atlanta came from the grind and the hustle that I had. I worked early mornings and late nights. I even worked Sundays and Mondays, days hairstylists typically don’t work. I traveled to clients, from my apartment in Kennesaw to Conyers, Norcross, South Fulton, wherever my services were needed. I put in the work and put miles on my car….ha! I was serious about my craft and my business. Even when family belittled it and called it a “side hustle” I took it seriously. Being completely honest, I did let the belittling from others affect me. I thought “I have a degree I shouldn’t just be braiding hair” but I knew this passion of mine could be profitable. This passion of mine became my purpose. I love what I do, all these years later it still doesn’t feel like work.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Moving not only myself but my business to a new city in a new state with zero clients was my first major challenge. Let’s be real, Atlanta is saturated with hairstylists. I knew this prior to moving but it wasn’t a deterrent. My mindset was I have to at least try! If I fail, I can always find a job. If I fail, I can go back to school. Instead of using Craigslist this time around, I used Instagram. Instagram helped me build my clientele here in Atlanta. It took almost a year to gain consistent work and retain clients. Many of my clients I’ve been servicing since 2017. It took almost a year from when I started to earn a $1,000 in one week and to repeat that took another couple of months. Booked and busy used to be a goal of mine, I’m happy to say that is no longer a challenge but I still do have challenges.
One of my current challenges is actually learning how to run a business. From LLC’s to EIN’s, to taxes, how to build business credit, how to scale your business, it’s a bit overwhelming for me. I’m now at the place where I want to take my business to the next level. I have a few things in the works that I’m trying to execute. I’m ready to share my knowledge with others, from braiding to business. My other challenge is navigating motherhood while being a business owner. My daughter is almost two and I’m still trying to balance my career and motherhood. Mom guilt is real.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Braids by Mel ATL?
My work is my name, my brand, Braids by Mel. When you get your hair braided by Mel, I can assure you that you are in good hands. I pride myself in providing quality braids at an efficient pace. My motto is “clean parts, neat braids, Always!” My clients will tell you that I’m professional, I show up for their appointments on time, I communicate, I’m prepared, all good things. Braiders typically have a bad reputation and I try my best to provide an experience that makes clients want to return.
Lately, I’ve been talking to God and manifesting. I want to work in production, publications, movie sets, award shows, etc. I recently saw Beyonce’s performance at the Academy Awards. Her dancers and background singers all had braids! Braids are everywhere and I would love to be a part of showcasing the culture through my work.
Before I go, I want readers to know that you can create a successful, sustainable career out of your craft or skill. I know society places value on certain careers and fields but I also know firsthand that you don’t have to go along with what society deems valuable. Success comes from being skillful. So if you like to do braids, nails, draw, or bake you have the ability to turn that passion into profit if you really want to! It only requires determination and perseverance because it won’t be easy. You can do it!
Pricing:
- Knotless Braids starting at $175
- Cornrows starting at $65
- Small Feedin Braids starting at $175
Contact Info:
- Email: info@braidsbymelatl.com
- Website: https://www.braidsbymelatl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braidsbymel.atl/?hl=en
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Jaden Aikman, @jadenshotyou Additional Photos: courtesy of Melissa Rogiers
