Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricka Graves.
Hi Ricka, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, my father made it very clear that being an entrepreneur was the only way that I would truly be able to get the most out of life being fully express myself while meeting my needs on my own terms. He would have talks with me about how swiftly the world was advancing and the significance of me having my own business.
He was giving me a chance to see the world as it should be when one successfully achieves their wildest dreams. On his job, as he made his rounds doing security checkpoints, I would often greet the Atlanta Hawks Basketball players like Spud Webb, Doc Rivers, and Domanique Wilkins or get signed autographs from my favorite WWE wrestlers like Sting & Lex Luthor. On the weekends, we collected rent from the tenants of his rental properties and I caught wind of the do’s & dont’s in managing real estate. It was surely his way of driving home the fact that I could be anything I wanted to be, amongst the stars is where I belonged, and never be too proud to roll up your own sleeves to get the job done. Leading by example, he instilled in me that it would only take a little imagination, unshakable self-confidence to stand in that inner knowing, and the willingness to the scenic route of that is the necessary steps it takes that would one day lead to be successful at being my own boss.
My Mother is no exception. She too worked for herself as a Cosmetologist. For almost 30 years, I watched her work long hours, late nights, six days a week, at Nita’s Beauty Salon. Until the day Nita’s closed its doors on to the day I opened the doors at Strands, where she still takes her clients and helps me run the day-to-day operations. Nita’s Beauty Salon was also located in Downtown Atlanta on Mitchell St. just blocks away from where I was attending elementary school at Mt.Vernon’s Baptist Academy (now buried beneath the Superdome.)
Attending class so close to her workplace, of course, I spent countless hours in the salon after school weekly and daily during the summer months. It was there that the owner, the late Mrs. Juanita Johnson would let me sweep the stations to “keep hair off the floors at all times”, answer the ever-ringing phone line, make new appointments for her 20-plus operators, and even clean the gigantic building after hours with her for tips. All of them taught me how to wear the many hats of Entrepreneurship. These giant footprints that I stand in today are the blueprints I build from as I strive to continue their tradition they passed down to me; the art of showing others how to make their own dreams come true, take care of families and simultaneously show others how to do the same.
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?
Absolutely not! As a Melanin rich Woman, trying to make it in business often means going at it alone. We rarely get the bank loans or other sorts of funding to give us a headstart. From the beginning, when I got to the building it was just an abandoned shell. There were huge whole in the few walls that existed, no ceilings, no floors, or electrical wiring. By the time I revamped the place the second time, I completed a lot of the work myself. Just me, myself and I. I would go in at night and paint, lay tile, and hang wallpaper by myself. Those days with my father fixing minor repairs came in handy. I had to make some very hard choices over the years. Looking back at the salty parts and laugh because those memories are what make me appreciate the resilience that paid off in the end. I encourage anyone trying to expect there to some challenges before the payoff. It builds character and morale for others who are watching how it turns out, even if they never say a word. You never know how your story will impact others if you don’t have a story to begin with.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Strands Beauty and Barber Salon, LLC?
We are a full-service salon offering Cosmetology, Barbering, and Esthetician services. It’s a one stop shop for the whole family and we pride ourselves on treating each other that way. Like family! A real “Mom & Pop” establishment, est. 2010, where everybody knows your name. Every year we hold a customer appreciation dinner during the holidays and Mom makes all the favorites. Turkey, dressing, Mac n cheese, sweet potato pies you name it. It’s like a family reunion, old customers and stylists we haven’t seen in years will stop by and fellowship. That is what sets us apart. Now, I am behind the chair offering Permanent makeup beauty services like the Hyaluronic serum injections which is the latest crave right now. It plumps the lips and smooths wrinkles. I also do Ombré Brows and Henna Artistry. We’re making everyday people feel good inside and look their best daily. I love it!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Random family vacations that my Dad was surprise us with. We would wake up in the middle of the night and hit the road. I miss the summers with my cousins. I have 72 first cousins! We spent summers at my Sister’s and she let us do whatever we wanted. Those were the days. I didn’t know how good it was to be living rent-free until I became an adult and playtime was over. Those were the days.
Pricing:
- Natural Hair Silk Press- $70
- Needle-free Lip Fillers- $500 ( 2 syringes)
- Mink Lashes- $65
- Full-Service Haircut w/hot towel- $40
- Traditional Sew In- $135
Contact Info:
- Website: www.strandssalonatl.com
- Instagram: Strandssalonatl, iamempressricka
- Facebook: Strands Beauty and Barber Salon
Image Credits
Photography: Joe Mapp and BQ Alex
