Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharonda Andrews.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I learned to braid hair at an early age by watching my aunt. I was around 9 or 10 years old. I would practice on myself, my baby dolls, and eventually began practicing on family and friends. I developed a passion for hair and by the time I was a teenager, I was taking clients in my bedroom. I am a very creative person and I love being able to express my creativity through the art of hair.
I began cosmetology school as a teenager but switched gears and pursued a career in Nursing. However, my passion for hair never died.
When I became natural, I began styling my own hair more which led to interests and requests from others. Initially, I would decline, but the requests continued. So at the urging of a good friend and my younger brother I began taking a few clients. Honestly, at the time, I saw it as a way to supplement my income which at the time, needed some supplementing (inserts laugh). However, through word of mouth and social media, my clientele began to grow.
It grew to the point that it forced me to take things more seriously. I began to view what I was doing as a business vs just a side hustle and from there, “Coco Styles” was born.
I started out taking clients in the dining room of my home and from there, later moved into a salon, which is my current location.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. There have been several challenges. Shortly after I started my business, I lost one of my best friends in death to breast cancer. About a year later, my daughter became seriously ill with a life-threatening virus which required an extended hospital stay and extensive rehabilitation afterwards. I had an unexpected health issue to occur myself. Then there were changes in my family dynamics. There were weeks when I went from being somewhat overbooked to having multiple cancellations. You name it, and it’s pretty much happened.
I was trying to balance my business while still being an employed as a nurse and at one point even while being a student also; in addition to managing my personal life and obligations. It became extremely overwhelming. There were several times when I felt like quitting.
I don’t think anyone with a successful business can tell you that they didn’t think about quitting at some point, because it’s hard! There is not always an assistant. There is no paid time off, no sick leave or family medical leave. It’s just YOU! In some instances, it’s “do or die,”…. “sink or swim.” You have to make it work. It looks glamorous on some platforms, but entrepreneurship is a hard, selfless work and it is not for the weak. It will truly show you what you are made of.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Coco Styles story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a Licensed Braider that specializes in braids and protective styles.
I am known for creating intricate and unique styles.
I am most proud of the level of customer service that my business provides and being branded as such. I am not your average braider. Most often when people think about braids, the first thing that comes to mind are their edges, hair damage, or hair loss. When people think about stylists that specialize in braids…most often, professionalism is not the first thing that comes to mind. I have created a safe place for clients to enjoy a positive braiding or protective styling experience without compromising the integrity of their hair.
I care about people and I care about hair. The health of your hair comes before your desire for a style when sitting in my chair. What sets me apart is that I am different than what most people are used to. People are not accustomed to the person braiding their hair asking if they have any allergies. They are not always accustomed to the person braiding their hair offering them a steam hydration treatment or a trim. They are not accustomed to getting their hair braided without having a headache afterwards or being able to sleep comfortably after receiving a braid install. Some are not even accustomed to being expected to be on-time. Then, there are others that have become conditioned to spending their entire day in the salon and are not accustomed to having their services completed within the estimated time-frame. I look at what everyone else is doing and aim to do the complete opposite.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Personally, I feel like braid styles are forever trending. Hair braiding has been here it seems, since the beginning of time and will be here until the end of time.
I see my industry going more mainstream. We are seeing more braided styles on television, in print, on the red carpets and on the big screen. Textured hair has definitely created a lane and it’s growing.
I also see my industry growing as it relates to organic natural hair care over the next decade. We are becoming more health conscious and holistic. So many people have allergies or experience reactions from environmental elements as it relates to our hair and hair care products. We have become more aware and more conscious about what we are using to care for and style our hair. So, I can see a shift towards education in organic hair care and the production of organic hair care products.
As women, we want the option to wear the braids, the trendy styles, the extensions or the wigs while at the same time maintaining the integrity of our natural hair. Ultimately, all women want “healthy hair,” which never goes out of style.
Contact Info:
- Address: 175 Bradford Square
Suite B
Fayetteville, GA 30214 - Website: www.cocostyles.as.me
- Phone: 770-685-0944
- Email: cocostyles81@gmail.com
- Instagram: @cocostyles81
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/CocoStyles
Image Credit:
Aletha Thicklen, Nitoya White, Rastafri Braid, Afrolicious Hair Expo
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