Today we’d like to introduce you to Kadija Manjang.
Kadija, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey really started with creativity and curiosity. I’ve always been someone who loves working with my hands and bringing ideas to life, and over time that grew into multiple passions like beauty, that’s mainly hair and makeup then came content creation, sewing, cooking, and just helping people feel confident.
As a college student, while majoring in Biology(pre med) now, I started braiding for work. I used to do it in high school as a side skill and realized how much joy it brought both me, my friends and my sisters and it’s just the reaction and how they feel when I was done doing their hair . What started as doing hair for a few friends and sisters turned into my brand, Fye Braids, where I focus on quality, detail, and giving people an experience, not just a hairstyle. Around that same time, I would also do makeup when I have gigs with this other makeup artists’ that I work with. I began creating content on TikTok after a long break from YouTube because of how time consuming it is but I love making content ,I love combining beauty, lifestyle, and cooking. I realized that people connected with my authenticity and my storytelling, and that motivated me to keep doing it .
Balancing school, business, and content taught me discipline, consistency, and how to grow something from the ground up. Every year, I’ve expanded whether it’s learning new techniques, building a stronger online presence, or exploring new projects.
Where I am today is really the result of staying committed, stepping out of my comfort zone, and believing that my story matters. I’m still growing, still learning, and still building, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come and excited about what’s next
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?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and honestly I think the challenges are what shaped me the most. Balancing school, business, and content creation and taking care of myself at the same time has been one of my biggest struggles. Being a full-time student in Biology while running a braiding business and building my social platforms means I’m constantly juggling deadlines, clients, and personal goals.
There were times when I felt overwhelmed, burnt out, or unsure if I was doing enough or doing the right things or times where I questioned my direction. Running a business comes with its own challenges too like charging your worth / learning pricing, dealing with inconsistent bookings, and building a loyal client base from scratch.
But every setback taught me something how to manage my time better, how to prioritize my mental and spiritual well-being, and how to stay disciplined even when motivation isn’t there. These challenges forced me to grow, to stay focused on why I started, and to trust that every phase, even the tough ones, is part of my story. “Indeed with hardship comes ease” Surah Ash-Sharh (94:6) and so I keep going forward.
As you know, we’re big fans of Fye Braids . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My brand is called Fye Braids, and it started as a small passion project that has now grown into a full beauty experience. We specialize in knotless braids, boho braids looks, and protective styles that are customized to each client. What we known for is my attention to detail clean parts, natural looking braids, gentle hands, and styles that actually last and fast and efficient service because I have an associate and that makes the process faster. I don’t just braid hair; I really care about the health of my clients’ hair underneath, so I always prioritize protective techniques, hydration, and educating clients on how to maintain their styles.
What sets me apart is the experience I create and that I’m a perfectionist it’s scary sometimes because of how I’ll keep trying and trying to get something perfect and that’s also time consuming . I believe getting your hair done should feel peaceful, personal, and uplifting. A lot of my clients tell me they come back not just for the braids but for how comfortable, safe, and confident they feel in my chair and how efficient their service was. I put thought into everything from timing, to communication, to making sure each style fits the client’s personality, lifestyle, and face shape and I’ll always go above and beyond for all my clients whether new or returning clients.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how authentic my growth has been. I built everything from the ground up no shortcuts, no big team behind me just Allah my business partner/associate, consistency, quality work, and word of mouth. The fact that people trust me with their hair and return regularly means everything to me.
What I want readers to know is that Fye Braids is more than a hairstyle it’s a full experience rooted in care, quality, and connection. Whether you’re booking a service, watching my content, or following my journey, you’re supporting something that’s growing, evolving, and built with heart.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’d just like to remind anyone reading this that your journey doesn’t have to look perfect for it to be meaningful. I started with small skills, big dreams, and a willingness to grow and that’s really all you need. Don’t be afraid to start, to reinvent yourself, or to walk away from things that no longer align with who you’re becoming.
I also want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me, booked with me, watched my content, or encouraged me in any way. Every bit of support has helped me build something I’m passionate about. And I’m still just getting started there’s so much more coming.
If you want to keep up with my journey whether it’s beauty, lifestyle, or entrepreneurship you can follow me on my platforms and continue growing with me. I appreciate you taking the time to hear my story, and I hope it inspires you to trust your own.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fyebraids_?igsh=MTR4bzJoeWpsbXgyMQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556068322653
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@darkskindija7062?si=LGp9Ud56kOpJUN36
Image Credits
All images were taken by me and these are some of our beautiful clients 💗
