Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaniqua Garcia- Stewart.
Shaniqua, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up as a teenager, I always experimented with my hair. My inspiration came from music videos and riding on the city bus. I was eager to sit close to anyone who had the most creative hairstyle, so I could go home and try to experiment on my mother’s hair. Even though I was college-bound, being a hairstylist was something that was a part of me. While in college, I juggled full-time classes and serviced a full range of professional clients and classmates in my dorm room. During my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to assist a stylist that worked at the most popular salon in New Haven called Style 2000. That experience was a pivotal point in my life because that was the first time I’ve witnessed a group of beautiful, successful, talented black women working as full-time hairstylist. I knew right then and there that’s what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be! I was determined to work at their salon and I did! I ended my career path to being an elementary school teacher and rented a booth as a natural hair stylist/braider.
About a year later, I met a social worker who asked me to do one of her client’s hair for her birthday. We traveled to a group home where the young girl lived. Initially when we met she was shy and soft-spoken but had a beautiful spirit. After her hair was completed, she instantly because more confident! The level of excitement she expressed gave me butterflies in the pit of my stomach. To witness someone come ALIVE right before your eyes from something so simple as a hairstyle was powerful. I thought to myself this could be something that I could offer to other young girls in the system, but I had to be licensed to do so. That immediately prompted me to attend cosmetology school and nine months later, I graduated in 2004.
When I saw a direct correlation between the way a person feels about themselves and how that fueled their behavior and decision making, it inspired me to create Inner Beauty Empowerment Project, a nonprofit organization that offered self-enhancing services and curriculum-based enrichment programs that address self-esteem, life skills and health & wellness. Year-to-date the organization has serviced 1,000 young girls in group homes, family shelters, school and Universities.
I graduated from Albertus Magnus College in 2008 with my BA in Sociology with a minor in Business Management and shortly after, I moved to Atlanta. For the first few years, I traveled back and forth to CT to service my clients until I became more established in Atlanta. I opened my first salon called Inner Beauty Salon in 2010 and expanded to a larger space in Old Fourth Ward three years later. Experiencing all of the entrepreneur woes, I felt like it was time for a shift. The salon suites concept was taking the industry by storm and a lot more beauty professionals wanted a piece of ownership. In 2016 I was blessed with the opportunity to purchase a building in the West End to open up Pearl Salon Suites.
Has it been a smooth road?
There were a lot more lessons than losses. Learning to be flexible was by far the most challenging for me because I was planner and in life change is inevitable. Knowing when it’s time to let go to grow. I learned that the vision doesn’t have to change but the path taken does. Timing is everything and in order to be prepared for the next level, you have to go through some experiences. It toughens the skin and softens the blow of the challenges that are to come.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m known as a healthy hair specialist and offer a wide variety of services including textured styles, relaxers, cuts, extensions and color. I style hair for models, actors, and performers for live events, videos, and photoshoots. I’m also a platform artist, educator and have worked for major hair product companies including Dr. Miracles, Design Essentials, Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils, Aunt Jackie’s Girls, Africa’s Best and Argan Smooth. My work has been seen in online publications and magazines.
Pearl Salon Suites houses a community of independent beauty professionals. Our professionals include hairstylists, barbers, makeup artists, lash technicians, natural nail technicians and massage therapists. Our West End location has 19 suites both furnished and unfurnished, an event space to host classes and seminars, complimentary washing and drying and flexible leasing options. We are conveniently located near the AUC, Mercedes Benz Stadium, and Beltline.
I am most proud of our expansion and new location in Decatur coming in December 2019. I’m also proud of creating a platform where other entrepreneurs can live out their dreams of starting their own business.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like Atlanta is a great place for entrepreneurs to thrive and make connections. There is a lot of supportive communities that want to see you win but you have to come with your A-game!
Contact Info:
- Address: 825 Beecher St Atlanta, GA 30310
- Website: www.pearlsalonsuites.com
- Phone: 404-400-6755
- Email: info@pearlsalonsuites.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pearlsalonsuites
Image Credit:
Michelle Davina Photos, Illogic Creative
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