Meet Kaylin Harris of Eleven and Co in Tuscaloosa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylin Harris.

Kaylin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a kid, I’ve always loved dressing up; it made me feel confident and safe within myself. My grandmother was a beautician so she always made sure my hair was done everyday. I could always come up with ideas and visualize exactly how I wanted my hair, like where to put what ponytail and which bow would go with my outfit. In high school, Pinterest became my best friend, I was always on there looking for ideas. Matching up my outfits for the week, even the month for school, down to my socks with the hairstyle to match. It taught me how to love myself for me and built my self-esteem.

Curating my own personal style didn’t come until my freshmen year in college, honestly. I had the autonomy to do what I pleased with fashion without restrictions, and my creativity became limitless. My mom has always called me her “personal Barbie doll.” My junior year, for our spring game, I posted an outfit on Twitter and they literally skinned me alive, haha! At first, my feelings were a little hurt but I also had to realize, nobody can take your creativity away from you. That’s something God gave you, something you built on, and that you own. Now, I’ve finally embraced my passion. Helping other bold women to embrace their beauty through clothing and hair by creating my brand Eleven and Co. The Brand and The Blog. Branching off into Eleven Lengths Luxury Hair Company and Eleven and Co. Apparel.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Anything that is great, or that has the potential to be great will never be easy and the road will never be smooth. Starting off as an aspiring hairstylist, I was extremely vulnerable to the game. I always felt as if I was less than the people around me when it came to my craft, but I had to realize, it’s also more than one loaf of bread in the store. Realizing my potential and the reason I started has always been my fueling agent. To know that I offer an experience rather than a service is what means everything to me.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Eleven and Co – what should we know?
The Brand Eleven and Co. derived from my birthday actually. I was born November 11th at 11:11 P.M. In 2019, I turned 22, which was my master age, and from that moment forth, it was like life hit a complete 180 for me. My passion shifted forward and my fear finally took a back seat. I had been making wigs and doing hair since I was a freshmen in college back in 2016. I saw it as just a hustle while in school but never took it serious.

Now, I have finally launched a growing custom wig and luxury hair extension company by the name of Eleven Lengths Luxury Hair Company, specializing in Custom Made Units, Lace installs, and Locs; as well as it’s sister store, Eleven & Co. Apparel, an online clothing boutique specializing in reinventing your modern girl next door through edgy, chic, and classic everyday wear. To think that I came into adulthood thinking I was going to be a doctor and leaving as businesswoman is mind-altering. And through both, my goal is enhance your view of yourself as a whole, not only physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. Self-love is the key component for both companies.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I owe all of my credit to God, period. But most importantly, my boyfriend and business partner, my grandmother, my uncle, and my best friends/sisters, they pushed me. They watched me grow into this business, into this woman, into this life. Days where I would work all day, sleep for about 3 hours and work from midnight until about 7/8AM the next day, they watched and prayed over my every move. My photographer and best friend for putting up with me and my spur of the moment ideas or my extra-long shoot days. They pushed me to be greater than what I saw. They pushed me to tap into a side of me I never knew was there.

Pricing:

• Custom Machine Stitched Closure Unit – $125 (Bring Your Own Bundles)
• Custom Machine Stitched Frontal Unit – $150 (Bring Your Own Bundles)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elevencoapparel.com
• Phone: 2052390778
• Email: Eleven & Co. Apparel – [email protected], Eleven Lengths Luxury Hair Company – [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekayambernique/

Image Credit:
Teralyn Campbell “Tigga” (@teralyn.campbell & @sction.28 on Instagram) – fashion shots
Shyann Cooley (@shycooleyphotography on instagram) – studio shots

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