Meet Emily Griffin of M’pressive Slayz n’ Fadez in Fulton County and Statesboro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Griffin.

So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been into doing hair since as young as I can remember. I taught myself how to braid by watching my aunt and practicing on my Bratz dolls when I was a kid. As I got older, my sister would let me do micro braids, sew-ins, and quick weaves on her. As I got into high school, I would do my friend’s mom’s hair and some college friends I knew from being in this organization called upward bound.

I remember telling my mom when I was young that I wanted to be a hairdresser but she said hairdresser didn’t make enough money (haha). So I ended up studying psychology at Georgia southern for 4 years while doing hair for extra cash.

I was known amongst friends to change my hair very often. But, I had decided I wanted to do some box braids on myself so that I could have a lasting protective style. So I did. The next day, I posted them on Instagram and went to work. I had so many people asking who did my hair and asking how much would I charge etc.

I decided to start a traveling braid service and I named it “Braidz 4 Daze”

I ran the traveling service for almost two years before deciding to pursue getting my cosmetology license. Once I got my license, I realized I needed to rebrand because I wanted to do more than braids. That’s when I came up with the name M’Pressive (it’s a play on my nickname emz).

Before I finished cosmetology school, I was working in a salon. I worked with the same stylist for four years and then I was blessed to open my own salon suite and name it M’pressive Slayz N’ Fadez.

Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been easy. Owning and operating a small business is never always sunshine and rainbows. You have times where business is booming and you have times where you’re like “let me go get a 9-5”, lol.

As a service-based business, you have to stay in the know about what the next hip style will be, you have to be on your A-game at all times when executing any style and you have to have top-notch customer service (especially as African American small business owners)

African American braider gets so much slack because of the stigmas that surround what we do. You will hear people say I only go to the “African” braid shops for braids. In actuality, braiding is a part of all of our culture as indigenous people. Within my first year of traveling and styling, I was actually servicing some of the African braiders in my area and they would compliment how my braid style was so much like their own.

There is so much I can say about the journey of being in the hair industry but I will say I am so grateful for the gift of being able to create with my hands. I’m grateful to God for allowing me to make a career out of doing what I love to do.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a nerd, lol. So, I enjoy learning new things constantly. With that being said, I specialize is a few things. Many of my clients recommend me based off of my speed and ability to create PAINLESS BRAID STYLES.
I am a firm believer that “IF IT HURTS IT IS NOT HELPING”.

Protective styles should NEVER HURT.

I also specialize in the regrowth of hair. Many of my clients come to me with hair loss issues and within the year they see the difference whether it’s locs that need reattachment and repair, or thinning/balding spots. I tell them all if you have patience and trust me, we will get you back on the road to healthy growing hair.

I have spent the year 2019 investing in my craft and expanding my business knowledge and skills. I took classes with Sierra from the tv show “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta “ to become a certified microblading and micro shading artist. I traveled to Columbia to become a certified lash tech with a well know company “Lex & co. And also began taking makeup classes and am now a certified make up artist as well.

I’m not what I consider to be “well known” in my area lol… a lot of my clients call me the best-kept secret. I was doing authentic goddess locs and passion twist in my area before people even knew what they were called.
People traveled from Atlanta to Statesboro where my salon is just to get that M’pressive slay (lol) that’s what made me relocate to this area.

I’m most proud of being able to wake up every day to do something I absolutely love to do. To say that as a 27-year-old black woman from a small town called Sylvania, ga, I am my own boss and I run a successful business. I take pride in having the best customer service that I know how to provide. I love that my clients aren’t just customers but they are my family. They know they can call or text me about anything or hair issue and we are going to solve the problem.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
It’s an awesome place to be for business. Atlanta is the MECCA of the beauty industry and has been for years. I would definitely encourage anyone in the beauty industry to start here first.

Pricing:

• Microblading/shading special: $200
• Lash extension special: $65
• Hairstyling prices can be found on my website

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mpressivehair.com
• Phone: (912) 978-1624
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: mpressive_hair And mpressive_salon
• Facebook: Emily Griffin M’pressive hair M’pressive Slayz n Fadez salon
• Other: https://mpressive.as.me/schedule.php

Image Credit:
Lisa Marie Photography

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