Today we’d like to introduce you to Pauline Walker.
Hi Pauline, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey began long before I ever called myself an entrepreneur. I started dabbling in hair at the age of 14 and then followed the traditional path—college, corporate roles, and the idea that stability meant security. But deep down, I always felt a pull toward creativity, service, and helping others feel confident from the inside out. That pull eventually led me to the beauty industry full-time in 2015, where I discovered not just a skill of interlocking hair, but a calling.
I launched En Toi Beauty & Wellnes in 2016 and started my business in my home with my hands—behind the chair—serving clients one by one and eventually moved into in a salon working with others, then a salon suite. In the early years, I was focused on mastering my craft as a loctician and cosmetologist, but I quickly realized that talent alone wasn’t enough. I saw so many beauty professionals, including myself at one point, working hard but feeling burnt out, underpaid, and unsure how to grow beyond the chair. I was in survival mode. That awareness became a turning point for me.
As I invested in education, systems, and my mindset, my business began to evolve. I shifted from simply offering services behind the chair to building a brand and an ecosystem—one rooted in education and empowerment. I launched En Toi Beauty Youtube channel in 2021 and expanded into digital education in 2022, mentorship in 2023, and community building through the Locpreneur Experience Seminar in 2024. As I scaled my business, I began teaching other locticians how to scale their businesses with intention, confidence, and strategy.
Today, I’m a beauty entrepreneur, loc educator, mentor, author, and the host of the Next Level Her podcast (launched in 2025). But at my core, I’m still a woman who believes in growth—from behind and beyond where we start. My work is about helping others honor their journey, build sustainable businesses, and step into leadership without losing themselves, especially their God given identity in the process. What started as a personal leap of faith has become a platform to help others rise—professionally, personally, and purposefully.
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?
Not at all—it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs, my journey has been filled with learning curves, pivots, and moments of deep self-reflection. One of my biggest struggles early on was navigating the transition from employee mindset to CEO mindset—learning how to price my work confidently, set boundaries, and see my time, knowledge, and energy as valuable.
There were also seasons of burnout. I was working hard behind the chair, wearing every hat in my business, and trying to figure everything out on my own. Unfortunately, putting myself last eventually led to a miscarriage behind the chair. I struggled with overgiving, undercharging, and feeling responsible for everyone else’s needs before my own. Building systems, trusting delegation, and allowing myself to grow beyond what was familiar took both courage and humility.
Another challenge was learning to trust my voice. Stepping into education, content creation, and mentorship required me to overcome fear—fear of being seen, fear of judgment, and fear of not being “ready enough.” But those challenges became catalysts. Each obstacle pushed me to refine my purpose, strengthen my leadership, and build something sustainable—not just successful.
The road hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been purposeful. Every doubt, insecurity, and bump shaped the woman and the business I lead today, and it’s why I’m so passionate about helping others grow with clarity, confidence, and alignment—without having to learn everything the hard way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work has always started with beauty and evolved to education, and business development. I’m a licensed cosmetologist and loctician by trade, but I’m also a mentor to other locticians, a content creator, and a podcaster. I specialize in loc care, scalp health, and helping beauty professionals—particularly locticians—how to build sustainable, profitable businesses without burnout. My work goes beyond technique; it focuses on systems, strategy, wellness, and leadership.
I’m known for helping locticians move from working in their business to working on their business. That includes structured consultations, pricing with confidence, client experience design, digital education, and creating multiple income streams beyond the chair. I’m especially passionate about bridging the gap between technical skill and business literacy, because I’ve seen firsthand how talented professionals struggle when that piece is missing.
What I’m most proud of is the impact—not just the growth of my own brand, but the transformation I’ve witnessed in others. Seeing beauty professionals gain clarity, confidence, and financial stability—while reclaiming their time and well-being—means everything to me. I’m also proud of building an ecosystem that allows education, mentorship, and wellness to coexist in an industry that often glorifies overwork. My annual Locpreneur Experience Seminar was created to educate, empower, and elevate locticians and to celebrate our accomplishments.
What sets me apart is how intentionally I lead. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all success. I teach from lived experience, data, and discernment, and I prioritize alignment just as much as achievement. My approach is structured yet human, strategic yet nurturing. At the core of everything I do is the belief that growth should feel expansive—not exhausting—and that when people are supported holistically, their work and their lives elevate together.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is self-awareness paired with willingness to grow. I’m extremely curious and I’ve learned to consistently pause, assess, and realign—whether that meant unlearning habits that no longer served me, seeking mentorship, or rebuilding systems when something wasn’t working. That awareness allowed me to make intentional decisions instead of reactive ones.
I’m not afraid to evolve. I view growth as a responsibility, not a phase in my life. Being open to feedback, education, and refinement has helped me lead with clarity, build sustainable systems, and create impact beyond myself. My commitment to growth is what allowed me to move from technician to leader—and to continue expanding without losing alignment or purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.entoibeauty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entoibeauty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/entoibeauty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EnToiBeauty
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/ceoloctician
Image Credits
Byoodefel Media
