Meet Imani Taylor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Imani Taylor.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Imani. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My love for hair began as early as I can remember. My mother reminds me that I stood as a young toddler on a step stool and combed my great-grandmother’s hair. By the age of 7, I remember feeling this is what I wanted to do ‘forever’! By age 11, I had an established base of regular “clients” that would come to our home. I found it fun doing my teachers and classmate’s hair, especially older adults, because nobody believed an 11 year old could have as much creativity and skill as I did.

My parents kept me motivated and moved our family to Norcross, where I had an opportunity to go to regular high school as well as a vocational high school to major in Cosmetology. From there, I continued my journey and completed my studies and became a licensed master cosmetologist by 2017.

Seeking a job in a salon was difficult. Not a lot of owners believed in taking chances on stylists fresh out of school. One chain salon gave me an opportunity after months of looking. They specialized in silk presses. While there, I learned the importance of connecting with people, loyalty and being honest. The value of being in a salon chain was the experience of working with different people, their level of expectations and answering to a boss.

The next step forward was meeting and working for a salon owner in Lawrenceville, who became and still is a mentor to me. With only six clients and a brand new outlook, she helped me to re-build, have more confidence in my work and look at the hair industry as a career and not hustle in times when I wanted to give up my dream. My mentor and my family kept me motivated. From there, I decided I wanted to open my own salon suite. I always had dreams of owning my own salon, but figured I should start small.  I was very nervous because being in a salon suite is so different than being in a traditional salon. Nobody sees you, nobody markets for you, and at the end of the day, you are the reason for your success and failure. I wanted so badly to succeed; I knew at the time I did not have the clientele base to support the suite life just yet, but I was determined. The owner at the time gave me the first 3 weeks free,  and that’s all I needed ! By week 3, I gained everything I had lost, plus some! Now I am a 23 year -old proud owner of Royal Tress Hair Salon, located in Duluth, GA, with a booming and AWESOME clientele.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not a smooth road by any means! I struggled at the beginning with learning everyone in the hair industry didn’t have my best interest in mind. I was shorted money, overcharged in fees beyond my commissions earned and experienced so-called leaders telling me I wasn’t good enough.

Tell us about your company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
Royal Tress Hair Salon is built upon the foundation dedicated to giving the best all-around experience in a private salon suite. Emphasizing on making each of my clients feel at home, satisfied and assured they will be out in a timely manner. I specialize in hair care. If my client’s hair isn’t healthy, then most admired styles are unobtainable. I preach to my clients that hair hygiene and scalp conditions can make or break OUR hair journey. I say OUR because when you sit in my chair, we are TEAM. You are not alone. You are family. My clientele is what I’m most proud of. They keep me busy, are my biggest supporters and sometimes my harshest critics. Even though most of my clients may be old enough to be my parents, they allow me to be creative and trust my recommendations. Plus, they know I won’t have them walking out my door looking any kind of way! I do not believe in over-booking or rotating clients. I believe in time is to be respected on both ends. Nobody wants to spend the entire day at the salon and I thoroughly understand everyone has a life. My personality sets me apart from others, i.e., strangers have told me that I have an aura that makes them feel as if they’ve known me their entire lives, that I’m upbeat, honest, personable and funny. I’m not afraid to say when I don’t know how to do something and my prices are fair.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Humanity. Honesty. Fairness.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2148 Duluth Hwy, Suite #109 Duluth, GA 30096
• Website: www.hairbyimanib.genbook.com
• Phone: 6785256009
• Email: burwellimani@gmail.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hairby_imanib
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hairbyimanib

Image Credit:
Personal Photo – Carter Creations by Jervontae Carter
Portfolio Photos – Imani Taylor ‘Hair by Imani B’

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