Today we’d like to introduce you to Archia “ChiChi” Owens.
Hi Archia “ChiChi”, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve ALWAYS loved doing hair. It comes so natural for me. A lot of the women in my family (aunts/cousins) are great at doing hair, so I picked it up from watching them. My mother worked long hours and swing shifts, so I started styling my own hair at a young age. I didn’t get into makeup until I was in my mid 20’s. I started by selling Mary K for about a year. I took a few makeup classes here and there. From there, I freelanced. I’ve been in the beauty industry for 17 years. After obtaining my B.S. degree, I worked in corporate for ten years while doing weaves and make-up on the side for friends and family. I decided to follow my passion in 2012 after a confirmation from a sermon at church one Sunday. Bye bye corporate, hello cosmetology. I enrolled in cosmetology school the next week.
My niche is custom wigs. My passion for hair loss excels from my own personal experience of taking my edges out by over processing my hair with relaxers and color, also from tight braids and glue in weaves. During the growing back phase, which was a slow process, I wore wigs. I have a small head so store wigs looked horrible on me. That’s when I started making my own custom wigs by gluing wefted hair onto a stocking cap back in 2000. The wigs gave me confidence and versatility during my regrowth period. I fell in love with the convenience and versatility the wigs gave, so when my hair grew back, I continued to wear wigs. This birthed my exclusive line of medical-quality wigs, which are designed for a totally natural and completely undetectable appearance; from the amount of hair in the cap to how the hair moves when the wig is worn. Adorn’s medical custom wig prices range from $500-$2500. Our custom fashion wigs range from $200-$1000 including the hair.
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’s definitely been a rocky road since I opened my salon in 2014. Two weeks after opening my mom had a triple bypass surgery. I had no idea my mom was sick suffering from clogged arteries, circulation issues, and MSR infection. She had kept this from me while I was in cosmetology school because I was so stressed out. I found out during the surgery. It was devastating. From there, things went downhill for her. I moved her in with me, her leg was amputated. I had to readjust my life to care for her as well as my two young sons 4 & 8 and my husband. Long story short my father passed away August 2016 and my mom passed away April 2017, about eight months apart. My 17 years old cousin who was more like my nephew was killed in a car crash in March of 2016. The grief took a hold of me bad for a couple of years. I managed to keep the salon doors open. Another struggle during that same time was keeping good-paying booth renters. That is a challenge. I went through a few and decided to be creative with my business without the need of booth renters. For me, at that time it was more trouble than it was worth.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Adorn is a full-service salon that specializes in makeup and wigs. We cater to the soft, sexy, and sophisticated. We are known for our soft makeup glams. We believe in enhancing your natural beauty. Unlike fashion wigs found in retail stores, our exclusive line of custom medical wigs and hair prosthetics is specifically designed for the woman with little or no hair. It may be either partially or totally hand-tied or sewn on sewing machine, with a smaller cap and a base that is specifically designed so as not to irritate a sensitive scalp. We also offer custom cosmetic wig services for divas without hair loss that loves the look, convenience, and versatility of wigs. We have wigs in our storefront ready for purchase.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am a certified hair loss specialist Archia Hall-Owens. I am a native of Montgomery, AL. I relocated to Atlanta, GA in January 2004. I own Adorn Beauty Enhancements which is an online wig store and full-service salon located in Jonesboro, GA. Along with entrepreneurship, I am a wife and mother of two busy boys (9 and 13 years old) and a wife of 13 years. Funny thing is I earned degrees in Human Resources and worked in corporate for ten years before entering the beauty industry full time. I’ve always loved makeup and hair since I was a little girl, like most girls. BUT it was soooo natural for me to do the things most thought were hard. My dad could cut hair, two of my aunts did hair, my uncle had a barbershop, and three of my big cousins were the best braiders ever…. so I guess it was in my blood. I used to fade my brother’s hair when we were in elementary, and if I messed up I would have to pay him…..LOL!!!! I actually did pretty good. I hated corporate!!! I felt imprisoned because it wasn’t fulfilling, it just wasn’t me. The office attire was too basic and boring back then. Couldn’t do it!!
Contact Info:
- Email: chichi@adornbeautyenhancements.com
- Website: www.adornbeautyenhancements.com
- Instagram: we_adorn
- Facebook: facebook.com/weluv2adorn
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcL2ApyZxoEh-8SyUSH2R-A/featured
