Meet Rovin Simmons

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rovin Simmons.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I believe my whole journey with becoming a hairstylist started when I began to do my own hair as a young girl around 11 or 12 years old because my mother couldn’t manage my coarse textured hair. Eventually, I decided to do something about it and started doing simple styles like half up half downs and simple braids to my hair for school.
As time progressed, I eventually started to do other girls’ hair from my high school and they would pay me about $40-$60 for braids. Just by word of mouth by the time I graduated from high school, I had clients from all around my hometown Brunswick, Ga and surrounding areas. I would have 2-3 girls coming in and out of my mom’s house every other day during the summers. Once I became a popular “kitchen beautician”, I decided to create a Facebook page to attract more business on a better platform, but I had to come up with a name for my page. It took me FOREVER but that is where StyledByRov got started!

In 2015, I graduated high school with the pressure of others telling me what I should and should not do, I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. There was no doubt I wanted to do hair, LIKE AT ALL, but I let others influence my choices. I decided not to leave for college right away and continued doing hair in my parents’ kitchen. I took up a few classes but flunked out the second semester because I just simply didn’t care and was not motivated.

After that year I had to make my mind up, stay stagnant in Brunswick or leave. Something gave me the strength to try college again cause honey, I was over school! I got accepted into the University of West Georgia and before I knew it, I was out here with the heart of Atlanta only an hour away, I didn’t know not one soul and I honestly hated it. I WAS STILL MAD UNCOMFORTABLE AND FELT OUT OF PLACE.

Eventually, I started doing hair here and there between classes and my clientele began to grow enormously and I started to take myself more seriously. I really did not start considering StyledbyRov a “business” until I started being invited to events to represent my talent and when others starting saying I owned my own business. I just simply saw this as something I always loved to do and I just happened to get paid for it!

When I moved to the Atlanta area, I had no idea what to expect or what opportunities I would encounter for my business, I have networked and been given many platforms to make myself and StyledbyRov better.

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?
The road to get where I am have not been the smoothest simply because of the fear I had for so long of being judges or not good enough. Doing other people’s hair has always been something close to my heart to have the ability to boost someone’s confidence with my talent. It took me a couple of years to realize the great potential that I have and with came a great relationship and faith in God.

It wasn’t until I moved to the Atlanta area and became a student at the University of West Georgia that I realized my potential to make a reality of my dreams to be a hairstylist. Attending college and being around many other student entrepreneurs has given me endless networking opportunities and chances for the growth of my business.

Please tell us about StyledByRov.
StyledByRov is simply a platform that I use to express my love for art and black hair. I provide many hair services for and specialize in braid extensions, natural hair, and hand-sewn wigs. StyledbyRov is set apart from other hairstylists because I am a dedicated to providing a college budget-friendly price list and I am a traveling stylist. Although I am located in a shop to service students of the University of West Georgia, I also travel to college students located in the city of Atlanta. My clientele ranges from students of University of West Georgia, Kennesaw State, Georgia State, the Art Institute of Atlanta, and the Historic AUC. My traveling hours varies from 6-10 hours a week, not including the time it takes to style a client’s hair.

I take much pride in my dedication as a young black female entrepreneur. I can honestly say that every day I wake up and when I lay down, I have StyledByRov on my mind. If I am not doing hair, I am thinking about how I can market something new to my clients, expand or make sure my business’ name is ringing through college campuses in a positive light.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is having a large selection of baby dolls to play with as a little girl. I always found myself playing “hairdresser” and finding new creative ways to style their hair. My mom always got on to me for ruining my expensive dolls hair but little did we know this would be something that would bring me much success. I feel like that great memory has a lot to do with what I have decided to create with my first business!

Pricing:

• Single Braids & Twists: $100-$150
• Tribal Braids: $115-150
• Weaves: $75-$100
• Hand-made Wigs: $120-$175

Contact Info:

• Address: Shop located at 106 Adamson Square, Suite #5, Carrollton, Ga
• Website: Styledbyrov.as.me
• Phone: 912-272-5228
• Email: styledbyrov@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/styledbyrov?igshid=1myk11c9439sr

Image Credit:
Picture of Rovin: Trey.Simmz Photography

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