Today we’d like to introduce you to Chee Symon.
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?
My name is Chade’ Spears, but my career name is Chee Symon. I’m not your average cosmetologist from Atlanta, GA – my journey started at the young age of 11. It all began when I desperately wanted a cell phone, and my mom said, “If you want it, earn it with your own money!” As a puzzled 11-year-old, I wondered, “How on earth am I going to make money at this age?” But I was never one to back down from a challenge.
I’ve always been a creative soul, constantly experimenting and inventing. Crayola crayons and olive oil turned into my very first lipgloss and lipstick creations. I realized that if I could do that, I could definitely find a way to make money. That’s when I turned to hair – a skill that I didn’t even know I possessed until that moment.
I started small, offering to do hair for a few friends in the neighborhood. Little did I know that this tiny spark would ignite a wildfire. Soon, I found myself doing hair for not just my friends but their parents and then hundreds of people in my hometown and beyond. It was amazing to witness how a simple passion could touch so many lives.
But as my skills grew, so did my ambitions. I knew I had outgrown the small city I called home, and Atlanta, with its vibrant energy, beckoned me. So, I made a leap of faith, leaving my undergrad studies at USC Aiken behind and enrolling in cosmetology school. It wasn’t an easy decision, and not everyone around me supported it, but I knew in my heart that this was the path I needed to take.
With hard work and dedication, I not only became a licensed cosmetologist but also an instructor. I formed my own business, proudly known as Rebel Co. Beauty at the time. But my journey didn’t end there. I yearned to make an even greater impact, to touch the lives of even more people, and to create something truly my own.
Moving to Atlanta was tough; I faced countless challenges and had little support from my family, who couldn’t understand my passion for hairstyling and running a hair business. But that didn’t deter me. I believed in myself and my dream – a dream to elevate not just my own life but also the lives of others through beauty and wellness.
I started as an assistant to a few of the best celebrity stylists, and while it was an incredible opportunity, it also overwhelmed me and through working for them, I saw gaps in the industry and wanted to create solutions. Yet, that experience pushed me to take a brave step – I opened my own salon suite. It wasn’t an easy journey, and I faced numerous tests along the way. But every single challenge was worth it because it led me to where I am today.
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of transforming thousands of lives. It fills my heart with immense joy and satisfaction when I see the smiles on my client’s faces after a makeover. Beauty is not just about the external transformation; it’s about the confidence and self-love that blooms within each person I work with.
Now, as I stand at this pivotal point in my journey, I am a little less behind the chair since I have obtained my yoga teacher certification. I am currently building a yoga community to provide a safe space to become in tune with ourselves. Now I am teaching yoga full-time and mentoring stylists to become 6 & 7 figure business owners.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road by far! I’ve had a lot of “broke’ ” seasons (that’s the boogie version of broke, that’s when you’re broke and nobody knows it!). One of my biggest obstacles was getting over the fear of rejection. I come from a place where I was always pushed to be the best and go above and beyond, yet don’t offend. In my hometown, I loved stepping on a toe or two and disrupting peace through my marketing and random pop-up events, but once I got to Atlanta, it overwhelmed the hell out of me! I had to learn how to get out of other people’s shadows. I knew how to make other people look good very well, but it was hard for me to do it for myself because I was afraid someone would pull the rug from up under me. I’ve worked for some crab in a bucket stylists that didn’t want to pour into me, so that’s what inspired me to become an instructor and teach and mentor anybody that was willing to listen to me.
Gaining a clientele in Atlanta was a challenge within itself as well. I was reading one of my old journals the other day and I saw where I wrote, “gain a larger clientele, get my name in rooms”. I can laugh now because since I’ve been living in Atlanta, I’ve had the pleasure of servicing over 1,219 beautiful women! Everything I’ve gone through has truly molded me. I lost the majority of my clientele when I went into the hospital due to acute kidney failure (that I had no idea I was experiencing)! I thought I was dehydrated, but I was in the hospital for nine days and forced to be on bed rest for two months. Damn near every client I had left! That’s how the business works, but I’m grateful for my true tribe! They stuck by me, they prayed for me, and through resting, yoga, and a much-needed mindset shift, we are all back in action! I love my tribe man!
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?
As an accomplished licensed cosmetologist with a thriving hair company, I am now venturing into my passion for Yoga, Mentoring, and Speaking. Today, I’m excited to share my vision for my yoga brand, which specializes in Vinyasa and Yin Yoga. While my hair business has been a significant part of my journey, I’m eager to discuss the transformative path that lies ahead.
With my recent yoga teacher certification, I’ve deepened my understanding of mindfulness and wellness. My focus is on empowering the black community through the powerful practice of yoga, offering solace and healing to individuals on their personal journeys.
In envisioning the future of my brand, I see boundless opportunities for growth and positive impact. My ultimate goal is to create an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their background or experience with yoga. I believe that continuous education is key to delivering the best possible experience to my community and staying at the forefront of the field.
Beyond studio classes, I aspire to organize yoga retreats in various countries. These retreats will provide a safe and nurturing environment for our community to travel and explore new horizons. Travel has been transformative in my life, and I want to extend this opportunity to others who may not have had the chance to experience it yet.
Inspiring others to pursue their passions, even if they seem unconventional, is at the core of my mission. I firmly believe that by doing so, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, uplifting and empowering countless lives.
As my business thrives, I am committed to giving back to society. I’m passionate about establishing a non-profit organization dedicated to providing mental health solutions for teenagers aged 12 to 19. Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and I want to ensure that the younger generation has access to the support they need to flourish.
What makes me proudest is leveraging my existing platform as a hairstylist to transition into this new space of passion. I’m excited to invite you all to explore my virtual yoga community, offering live classes that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home, in-person events, and engaging podcasts.
I’m thrilled about the possibilities that lie ahead, and I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to share my journey with you. Together, we can create a space of healing, growth, and empowerment through the transformative practice of yoga.
Thank you for considering my vision, and I’m excited to embark on this transformative journey with all of you.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
ALL OF MY CLIENTS! Good and bad! I appreciate every woman that has sat in my chair because in one way or another, they have molded me into who I am today. I appreciate everyone for their feedback and how they always showed up for me. I even thank the clients that has never come back to me because it hurt my feelings enough to make me self-reflect and through that, I’ve been able to change!
My fiance’, she has been a part of my journey since I’ve been in Atlanta and she has always been there to pick up the pieces and make it make sense for me. She has also stressed me out enough to push me into become greater and better.
My mother and my brother, they have been here through it all! Every pop-up shop, every late night staying up, all of it. They are the ones that pushed me out of SC and to Atlanta. It was rough, but I’m grateful.
My mentor Shannon, he is the one that pushed me to lean into my yoga practice! He would “man, this is so dope” me to death! He knows how hard-headed I am, but that never stopped him from calling and setting up meetings to check on me and make sure I was on track.
Kellon Deryck, he was the first celebrity stylist I assisted and he exposed me to what “on-set” life looked like. Through him, I saw possibilities I never even thought of for myself. He also taught me how to melt a good lace honey!
Alonzo Arnold, he gave me my first celebrity booking when he randomly called me and asked me to come and help him do Cardi B’s hair because sis did not play about her natural hair! We killed it by the way. My opportunity with him is what led me to have multiple sold-out hair tours all around my home state!
God. He deserves it all. Through him, all things are possible.
My pastor, Bishop OC Allen, joining his church literally saved my life! My career, relationship, life, family, and business had me in such a chaotic mental space I wanted to give it all up. But, I went into a deep prayer and God led me to Vision Cathedral and my life has not been the same since.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/thecheesymon
Image Credits
PAULA BRAUN TRINITY MORTON
