Today we’d like to introduce you to Neek Hines.
Hi Neek, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My story really starts back in high school but I really got serious about it in 2015 after my son was born. I honestly only started doing locs because my brother had no one to do him and asked me if I could keep him up. He would come home from college and sometimes he would even bring his friends over so I could do theirs as well. I started doing it as just a side hustle.
At the time I was working for the state of NC as a developmental tech. I started out only charging $35!! Lol. A lot of my clientele at this time was just friends and family, but my clientele grew from word of mouth. Fast forward to 2016 I had already switched jobs and had been working as a housekeeper for the local hospital and I was making really good money doing locs. I had a really big clientele, and I decided to take my tax money and invest in myself.
Me and my brother drove 10 hours to Kentucky so I could take a Master Loctician course. 2017 I quit my job and decided to do locs full-time. But I wanted more! My vision became bigger and I no longer wanted to be in NC anymore. My goal was to become a celebrity loc stylist and I knew I had to be where the celebrities were. May 2018 I moved to Atlanta, with only $250 to my name! I let everything go in NC.
My lease was up on my apartment, and I had let my car go and literally started at ground zero when I came to Atlanta! I had no plan smh. I started in a barbershop in the west end of Atlanta. I went through many trials and tribulations. From doing hair for free, staying in hotels, walking, and riding the bus and train. There was even one time I had stayed overnight in the barbershop because I had no place to go. But I didn’t give up. I never gave up!
I would sometimes ride the Mega Bus back and forth to NC to assist my clients there and this helped me with money. I had a lot of people doubting me, people who thought I was crazy for taking this risk but there were also people I met that gave me opportunities. People who truly believed in me and my work. Things eventually started to work out.
I was given a car and also was offered to rent out a basement. I started working in Sandy Springs at another barbershop and I was still traveling back and forth to NC. By this time my name and work were really blowing up in the streets and on IG! In August 2019 I got my first celebrity client! Lil Baby!! This really blew my clientele up! Later that year in December I finally was able to get my own place.
Fast forward to now 2024, and I am so proud of myself, especially after conquering every fight against adversity! I accomplished every goal I wrote down in my notebook back in 2017, by 2020. I am one of the top locticians here in Atlanta. I am now working towards new goals. My work is known all over the world. I’ve had people from many US states reach out to me but what really blew my mind was when I started having people from Italy, Brazil, and even Nigeria reach out to me.
It’s amazing what happens when you keep your focus on the prize! I was previously known as LocsByNeek and now I am LBN Naturals. I am now focused on helping people who have locs and are suffering from scalp issues. As well as teaching people my craft. I still work with some individuals in the entertainment industry but am solely focused on building LBN Naturals bigger than ever! God is amazing!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was not a smooth road at all. One of my biggest struggles was trusting people.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about LBN Naturals?
I am currently certified as a Master Loc Stylist, Scalp Specialist, and Herbalist. LBN Naturals is a holistic loc and scalp spa. My target audience is individuals who have locs and suffering from hair loss and scalp issues such as severe dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, etc. I think this is what sets me apart from others. There aren’t many locticians that know how to combat scalp issues or hair loss.
I found a solution to this problem and now I do what I can to spread awareness. I am most proud of the growth that my brand has accomplished. I started out as LocsByNeek just doing locs with the sole purpose of changing my and my kids’ lives. But I realized it’s deeper. I am of service to these individuals. I help people gain confidence, sometimes I change people’s lives. I truly love what I do with passion.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Networking is definitely an effective way to get your name and brand out there! As well as collaborating with other individuals in your field. I didn’t have a mentor for a very long time. My relationship with my first mentor didn’t end well and I had trust issues after.
This year I was blessed to have found a really great and selfless mentor. She’s very inspiring and can I repeat, SELFLESS! She has had an amazing effect on my mindset and my business as well. So, I say when you find the right mentor it could definitely be a good asset to your life and your business.
Contact Info:
- Website: lbnnaturals. square.site
- Instagram: @lbnnaturals
- Facebook: @Lbn Naturals
- TikTok: @lbn naturals
