Meet Buckhead Freelance Hairstylist: Shekila Dupree Burge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shekila Dupree Burge.

Shekila , please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As a child, I was always interested in hair. I believe I played with dolls until my teens so I could do different styles to their hair. At the age of 14 is when I began styling my friends and classmates hair. I got pretty good at it and began charging them $10. (Laughing)

I’m from a small town North of Atlanta, called Rome, Ga.

After high school, I decided I would go to the Community college in Rome to complete Cosmetology and go for my license. I Finished my courses and went to the board for my license in 2002.

I moved to Atlanta in 2010 and this is when my Freelance journey began. I met a good friend who had started a Hair and Fashion Agency, which I am now a part of. Working with The Look Agency gave me the opportunity to work on Photoshoots, Weddings, video sets, commercial sets, Runway shows, demonstrations and etc. I do a lot of styling for Neiman Marcus for The Look Agency.

Freelancing is an exhilarating career and Love every exciting minute.

Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth Road No, but you have to be patient. You won’t always have a busy week. Sometimes you may not get paid right off from your Freelance jobs. A lot of times it takes up to 30 days to receive your funds from your gigs. So Patience and Great Attitude are Very important in this business.

What’s the hardest part of your job?
My job is really easy. But I would say the hardest part is the Business and IRS side. I mean the business side as far as calculating all of the quarterly receipts and completing the IRS forms. I’m completing my Accounting degree as we speak so, it’s really helping me out a lot. So I would say that’s the hardest part.

Pleasing my clients, that’s Easy!

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My personal definition of success isn’t about how much money you have in your bank account. Although that always helps. lol.

But more of how long you can withstand being in that particular field and living out your dreams. Sometimes you may fail but if you can get back up and continue, that’s part of fulfilling your success goals.

If you’re happy with where you are, you feel successful. You feel as if you’re completing that chapter in your life.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future… I love my Freelancing work. So I’m hoping to do more traveling and freelance gigs.

One goal that I’m also working towards is the Blow bar franchises, Or maybe an Extension Bar. I think that would be Awesome.

Pricing:

• Extensions (Hot/ Cold Fusion) start @$250
• Extensions (Sew in) start @$150
• Color start @$125 Full head one process
• Natural Silk press $50&up
• Blow out $40&up
• Bridal services starts @$125

Contact Info:

• Website: www.styleseat.com/shekiladupree
• Phone: 4046183954
• Email: shekilaadupree@gmail.com
• Instagram: KilaGlamHair
• Other: www.shekiladupree.com

Image Credit:
Neiman Marcus, Darnell Wilburn, Laconia Christopher