Today we’d like to introduce you to Kween.
Kween, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve had my cosmetology license since 2011 and started working for Paul Mitchell ( A Robert Cromeans Salon) before I graduated high school. After a few years, I decided to move from Tulsa, Oklahoma (where I’m from) to Atlanta, Georgia. I literally started all over trying to find my way for what worked best for me. Four years after being unstable from shop to shop, just trying to find my home, I finally discovered my serenity.. “ THE SWAG SHOP” owned by Killer Mike and Shay Bigga. 3 1/2 years later, I’m still doing and growing what I love.. went from one shop on Edgewood (the flagship store location) to now balancing two including the THE SWAG SHOP at State Farm Arena which you will find me cutting at every game as we watch the Atlanta Hawks play.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road..like nobody layed the pavement. LOL. My journey was hard from the start..I took cosmetology in high school and one of my instructors was racist. She literally tried to make me fail everyday. Regardless of how many times I reported what she was doing, nobody ever helped me. It took everything in me to get my license..and with me being the first to graduate in my class three months early, I made a decision and commitment for my career that I would go as far as I could possibly go..I was going to be known by the world for my craft. Thankfully I started my foundation with a wonderful salon and had excellent training from the best in the world. But I always had a passion for men’s grooming and skincare. I wanted to take what I learned from the salon side and implement it to the barber world to create a different experience. I literally worked among the best in the world but I am who I am as a person..I’m black, tattooed from head to toe..I love my gold grills..and I won’t change that. So moving to Atlanta regardless of my experience and elite training, I couldn’t get accepted into the white salons because “I didn’t fit their culture” even though I worked with the people who trained them. I’ve had to find my way over and over again..but I knew I wouldn’t settle. Killer Mike and Shay Bigga were honestly the first ones to accept all of me for everything that I was..and they gave me my home. I finally found my foundation that I could build on top of with equal support..and it’s been such a beautiful ride ever since, and now the world is tuning in.
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?
My personal brand is “ KING by Kween “ . I’m a Male Grooming Specialist. It’s not only a service..it’s an experience..it’s a standard..it’s a mindset..it’s a lifestyle. As a man, to find me ( Kween ) you have to understand who you are first.. ( KING ) I consider my experience and the barbershop as a whole as an “ordinary luxury” . How many elements of relaxation and serenity can you include into a routine that someone already does? That is my goal to amplify. I truly value people’s most authentic self and I want people to embrace who they are. So I listen to what they’re looking for..I hear their journey..and I do my part to make sure we keep you on whatever path you choose to go on in life, and your look is a reflection of that. I want you to become that dope individual you deserve to be in every aspect.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My community deserves all the credit. Our history deserves all the credit. Our DNA as people deserves all the credit.. I’ve literally had to unlearn and relearn everything in my life..even where I’m from..Tulsa, Oklahoma.. from leaving at 19 ready to Further my dreams..I never felt anyone cared about us ..including ourselves..until after I left.,..then I found out the world knew our story. Everybody in my life deserves credit. I didn’t understand, let alone see the importance of myself, I just knew I had enough self-love not to give up. We can’t see what we’re not looking for..mentally and physically. I wanted better for myself..for my community..for my people. Literally everyone in my life has taught me something at some point and I just want to do my part to replenish anything deprived that is in our community. I want others to see the beautiful garden we are as people that are made of individual flowers all blossoming into different seasons. We all deserve credit.
Contact Info:
- Address: 365 Edgewood Ave, Atlanta Ga 30312
- Website: www.theswagshop.com
- Instagram: @kingbykween
Image Credit:
Sonnie Ellis of Pink Brixx
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