Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Wise.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Courtney. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I was 18, I was having a lot of issues with my hair and I made the tough decision to go completely natural. I wasn’t bold enough to commit to a big chop so I slowly started transitioning. I was about to be a freshman in college and I felt like I would’ve had a complete meltdown if I would have just chopped it all off. After having relaxed hair and getting my hair done by my mother, who is a hairstylist, for most of my life, I had no idea how to style or take care of my hair. I realized how much I had to learn and this lead to a ton of research. After hours of reading and watching YouTube tutorials, I learned that a lot of ‘naturals’ use protective styles to grow their hair out. I thought this was so perfect for me because I wasn’t sure what to do with my hair. However, I was just a “broke college student” at the time and I didn’t have extra money to pay for protective styles. So, I decided to teach myself. I practically spent every day in a hair salon after school so I picked up a few things just by watching. The memories of watching the stylists where my mother worked in combination with watching YouTube tutorials gave me a great head start.
After a couple of years of doing my own hair, I had gotten really good at twists. A friend of mine asked me to do hers and she was my one and only client for about a year. I had no intention of becoming a braider or doing anyone else’s hair besides hers, but God had other plans. This was the biggest plot twist for me.
A few years into my college career, it was finally time to start applying for summer internships. I applied for 5 and I ended up getting 2 callbacks for interviews. Unfortunately, I didn’t receive any offers for those internships, or any other job that I had applied for. I was crying and feeling really defeated for days, so a friend of mine took me to Roswell Mill– the place I went to clear my head when school was just too much. We both sat and talked about our lives and how we both didn’t know what direction to go in. She looked at me and said, “You know what? You should start taking braiding seriously. Make an Instagram.” I was hesitant but I thought, “Why not?” What else did I have to do at the time?
I made an Instagram account that night when I got home with the only 5 pictures of my work I had. After weeks of posting and reposting those 5 pictures with the maximum amount of hashtags, people started to see my page and I finally got my first official client. A couple of days later, I started to get more and more inquiries. Before I knew it, I had clients coming to me consistently.
I made the Instagram account in 2016 and I was working from my apartment. I braided my way through the rest of college. I was set to graduate in May of 2018 but I had a setback and had to sit out a whole semester to retake one last class. I moved back home with my parents and ended up getting a booth at the salon where my mom works. I was feeling like a failure at the time and I was honestly getting bored with just braids. Feed-in braids were so popular at the time, but twists were always my favorite. One day, I had the idea to try to take all the trending braid styles I saw and turn them into twists. I perfected the technique privately until things started to click, posted the pictures on Instagram, and my Instagram blew up. My styles were everywhere, even Pinterest. I kept trying new styles and the rest is history. I became extremely passionate about being an innovator in the industry and that was the key to how I got to where I am now. Today, I’m still trying to push the envelope and create new techniques and styles to add to my portfolio.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. However, that is the only reason I am where I am right now. The saying “everything happens for a reason” never meant more to me than it does at this very moment. If my life had turned out as anticipated, I would have never been able to develop my original technique and I would be in an entirely different field.
I mentioned above that I had a setback and I had to sit out an entire semester in order to finish my studies. The 6 months that I sat out and worked in the salon was extremely pivotal to my career. I learned so much during that time. I created my own technique, perfected it on all hair types, learned about marketing, learned how to photograph hairstyles, and mastered the basics of what I needed to be the best at what I do. It paid off in a major way.
I studied architecture in school. If my life had worked out as planned, I’d be working in a fancy firm somewhere in the city and I would have stopped braiding completely. My life would be very different but I’m grateful to be where I am right now. It’s very clear to me that this was meant to happen. I will eventually circle back to use my degree but I feel like this is where I belong right now.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Braids For You By Me story. Tell us more about the business.
Braids For You By Me specializes in all styles involving twists. I’m known for my flat twisting technique and neatness. I’m the most proud of this technique because I can make it look as if the extensions are my clients’ real hair, the technique guarantees a natural finish/texture, and all of my styles are long-lasting so my clients always get their money’s worth. I’m also very proud of the fact that I’m one of a handful of people who have mastered this technique. This is what allowed me to successfully turn all of the popular braided styles into twisted styles. That is what sets me apart from many braiders in the industry.
My most popular style is called “The Marley Ponytail” and about 80% of appointments booked are for this style. It’s such a simple style but it can have so many different iterations. Color, length, texture of the extensions, finishes of the ends, and unique designs allow for so much versatility. I usually get clients who love the simple, natural look, but I’ll always have a few people who want a unique look and I love that.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see the braid industry becoming bigger and better over the next 5-10 years. The art of braiding is a craft that will continue to transcend time because it’s so much more than just a style. It reflects culture and that is something that will never fade. The biggest shift I’m noticing right now is the popularity of more natural looking and lighter weight hairstyles. Braids are beautiful, but they can be uncomfortable, heavy, and can damage your hair. Over the past few years, styles such as faux locs, knotless braids, and passion twists have emerged and become very popular. They are very natural looking and healthy for natural hair and healthy hair will never go out of style.
I also predict that braiders will be more respected in the hair industry. I believe that braiders are very unappreciated right now but I see more of them learning their worth in the industry everyday.
Contact Info:
- Address: Studio 219 Salon
6631 GA-42 Suite #204, Rex, Georgia - Website: www.braidsforyoubyme.com
- Phone: (706) 514-9161
- Email: braidsforyoubyme2020@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/braidsforyoubyme?igshid=1uggnlbx9dqek
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braidsforyoubyme1/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/courtneyy_wisee/braidsforyoubyme/
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