Today we’d like to introduce you to Chole M.
Hi Chole, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi everyone my name is chole and here’s my story.
“MOMMY I DON’T WANT TO WORK FOR ANYBODY. I AM GOING TO BE MY OWN BOSS!”
My journey to entrepreneurship began at the early age of five. I came from two immigrant parents and raised by my Jamaican mother who worked tirelessly day and night just to provide for my sisters and I. Watching and listening to her complain about her job truly made me rethink the life I wanted for my future self. I was always the creative and adventurous child who enjoyed interior design, painting, photography, haircare, fashion design, makeup, and just being freeee do explore all my creative passions.
Who would have known that my journey to becoming a full-time entrepreneur would begin in 2017 inside my tiny college dorm at Bowie State University, where I graduated with my Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism. I had just finished my first semester of my sophomore year and I knew money was tight because groceries were low and I barely could afford to get all my books for the next semester. My father had paid for my first year and a half at BSU using his retirement money and he said he would continue to use it until I graduated. I felt sick to my stomach but grateful knowing my parents were giving me as much as they possibly could just for me to obtain my degree. So, like the true entrepreneur I am I began renting out my freshman textbooks and saved every penny I managed to make from four textbooks.
Being a natural hair enthusiast I enjoyed switching up my hair often. I received lots of compliments on my hair and people often asked for hair growth tips. But, there was one day I decided to install faux locs on myself and as I walked all over campus, I received loads of compliments regarding my hairstyle. Students began inquiring about my prices and when I could squeeze them in for an appointment. Suddenly, **DING** a lightbulb went off in my head. I sped off to my dorm and went in full grind mode. I whipped out my laptop and began creating flyers, a business Instagram page, and used my large platform on my personal page to get the buzz going about my new hair page. I could not believe the amount of clients I received within a short time frame.
Although, business was booming I was still short on my tuition for the upcoming semester. I cried night after night because I had no idea how I was going to pay for the upcoming semesters and I refused to be a financial burden to anyone, especially my parents because they work so hard. I had to figure out something and fast! So, I decided to take out a small loan I knew I would be able to pay back with ease after graduating. I later decided that I would spend the last two years commuting and staying with my mom. I could finally work while in school. I had a part-time job as an inclusion specialist and I made time to do hair after work to save up for a car which would make things a lot easier! LISTEN Uber’s are expensive lol.
During summer breaks, I worked at a summer camp as a part-time inclusion specialist for children with disabilities. Working with children always made life seem a little brighter. I enjoyed the children so much I didn’t even care about the pay. I was legit making $400 every two weeks and that was before taxes were taken out. After work, I carved out enough time to fit in one client so I could continue doing what I loved most — making my clients feel beautiful! Now that I was no longer living on campus my clientele branched out from just college students. By this time I finally had enough saved to put a down payment on a car and I could now travel to clientele. Everything was coming together!
However, I still felt trapped! My minimum wage job was taking up so much of my time and energy that when it came to pouring into my hair business I was exhausted! I found myself in the same cycle as my parents and many other adults who had a burning passion and a dream but they let their job steal their joy and time. Fear is the destruction of all things. Fear keeps people from pouring their all into the things they truly desire. In that moment I felt like I was letting my inner child die. I saved up enough money to move out of my mother’s house in December 2019. I finally had a space designated to providing my clients with a pleasant hair experience! Which meant no more doing hair in my bedroom!
Although, I knew fear was trying to creep into my life’s desires I continued to straddle the fence. Not fully trusting my ability to run a successful hair business, but still believing my clientele was going to continue to support me. After 4 months living in my new apartment Covid-19 hit and I was laid off from my job and when I tell y’all there was a HUGE weight lifted off my shoulders! Although, this was a scary time I finally felt free enough to go after my dreams.
I went a year and a half working for myself full-time and I was just stunned by the support and amount of clientele I received! I finally was able to see what I knew all along. I was so proud of my accomplishment that I decided to take things a step forward by moving my business to Atlanta, GA. I came to Atlanta with zero clientele just faith in myself and in God. Of course, my parents worried about my decision but I decided it was time to live life fully without fear. I believe in my ability to run my business and I have faith that everything that is meant for me will happen for me. I am excited for this new journey here in Atlanta and I hope you book with me soon. Remember sometimes it takes that leap of faith to make things truly happen for yourself.
Thank you to all my DMV clients and thank you to all my new clients in Atlanta. Thank you to anyone who shed a light on my journey! I love you all.
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?
The road was not always smooth, there were times I doubted myself but not to the point where I ever wanted to give up. Life has its ups and downs and once you accept them both equally you will become unstoppable.
Since I have moved to Atlanta, I have cried a few times feeling as if I made the wrong decision. But, truthfully I wouldn’t be here now if this was not the place I needed to be. Things are a little slow right now but I believe my clientele will arrive in divine timing!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a protective hairstylist who believes in TRULY protecting the crown. I specialize in soft locs, braids, butterfly locs, passion twists, starter locs and instant locs. I am known for creating soft locs styles that resemble the look of real locs. I am also known for keeping my clients edges strong and healthy! My clients hardly ever complain about tension after leaving my chair!
I am most proud of my determination to reach higher heights within the hair industry. I had the opportunity to install ChellyTheMC’s soft locs and she absolutely loved them. Hearing how much my locs resembled real locs from someone who had real locs before was a major compliment!
What sets me apart from other hairstylists is that I truly view all my client’s crowns as a powerful energy magnet. It is important to sage my space to provide a clear energy space. I am very mindful of my own energy while working with my clients because I am working with such a energetic part of someone. I provide gifts and discounts for my loyal clientele. I remain professional yet relaxed like I’m one of your girlfriends 🙂
Stay tuned for my hair oil line releasing November 19, 2021 on crownedbychole.com
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
During the Covid-19 crisis, I learned that so many other people also had this mental shift to step out on faith and pour into their passions. This revealed that I always been fully capable of being my own boss I just had to release myself from that part-time job lol.
Contact Info:
- Email: booknicholem@gmail.com
- Website: crownedbychole.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealcholey2.0/ and https://www.instagram.com/crownedbychole/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/therealcholey/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/NicholeMagana
