Life & Work with Anaiyah Barker of North Carolina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anaiyah Barker.

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?
I started my journey in the beauty industry with a passion for hair, creativity, and helping people feel confident. What began as doing locs and styling quickly turned into building a brand and community around my work. Over the years, I’ve grown from simply servicing clients to creating a full experience through my business, ThelocPharmacy, where I focus on healthy hair, luxury services, and educating clients on proper loc care.

As my platform grew, I expanded into content creation, brand partnerships, and live activations. I’ve built a strong social media presence that has opened the door to collaborations with brands like Big Sipz Alcohol Brand and opportunities to work with eight different NFL teams through events, content, and community engagement. My online presence has allowed me to connect beauty, culture, sports, and lifestyle while building an authentic audience that supports my journey.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how important consistency, relationships, and adaptability are when growing a business. Beyond being a hairstylist and entrepreneur, I’ve become a creator and community builder who values representation and creating spaces where people feel seen and confident.

Today, I’m proud to have built a brand that represents creativity, authenticity, and empowerment, especially for women and the LGBTQ+ community in Charlotte and beyond. I’m still growing, learning, and creating new opportunities, but I’m grateful for every experience that has shaped my story so far.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to balance being creative while also running a business. As my brand and social media presence grew, so did the responsibilities behind the scenes — managing clients, partnerships, content, events, finances, and building a team all at once.

There were also moments where I had to overcome self-doubt, burnout, and the pressure of constantly staying relevant online while still providing quality work in person. Building credibility as a young entrepreneur, especially as a queer woman in business, came with challenges, but it also motivated me to work even harder and create spaces where people feel represented and supported.

Another challenge was transitioning from simply being a hairstylist to becoming a full brand. Expanding ThelocPharmacy, working with major brands like Big Sipz, and collaborating with multiple NFL teams required me to think bigger, take risks, and learn how to navigate opportunities I had never experienced before.

Even through the obstacles, every challenge taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of consistency. Those experiences helped shape not only my business, but also the person and leader I am becoming today.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is having my work featured in one of the biggest museums in Charlotte, North Carolina. For me, that moment represented more than recognition — it showed that beauty and hair artistry can also be viewed as culture and art. I’m also proud of building a brand that creates visibility and representation for women and the LGBTQ+ community while inspiring others to confidently pursue their creativity and entrepreneurship.

What sets me apart is my ability to combine artistry, business, and community all at once. I’m not only focused on creating great work, but also meaningful experiences and connections. Whether I’m behind the chair, creating content, hosting an activation, or partnering with major brands, I always bring authenticity, energy, and creativity into everything I do.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
One of my favorite podcasts to watch is Cam Newton’s podcast because I enjoy hearing conversations about mindset, business, growth, and confidence. My favorite book is Rich Dad Poor Dad because it changed the way I think about money, ownership, and building long-term wealth as an entrepreneur.

One of my favorite apps is GlossGenius because it helps me stay organized with bookings, client communication, payments, and running my business efficiently.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thelocpharmacy.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelocpharmacy?igsh=Zm14OXg3cnc2MjQw&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1aW1ZHXViL/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Twitter: https://x.com/thelocpharmacy?s=21
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thelocpharmacy?si=YTRU4dp1rZ5bmYyj