Today we’d like to introduce you to Roberta Hall.
Hi Roberta, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Shreveport, LA! I am the youngest of four of siblings. I lost my mother at the age of eight. I underwent a lot of adversities. We moved around a bit but I eventually found myself in Dallas Texas at the age of 11. Living in North Dallas. Having to stay with my sister’s best friend when we moved out here. Who I appreciate a lot and taught me a lot as well. Then I migrating my way to the South as I got older. My sister had to take on the responsibility of taking care of her siblings after our mother passed. Even though she was young herself I really appreciate what she did. I also have some appreciation for a lot of other people that came into my life and taught me a few things. Which shape me into the woman that I am today.
At the age of 18 I begin to face even more challenges with now going into adulthood. My sister who made sacrifices with having to take care of me then got diagnosed with GBS (Guillian Barr syndrome). I was in school at the time trying to finish my last year and got the news once I got home that she had two massive strokes. She was very ill at the time and could barely do a little to nothing. She had to be hospitalized for almost a year. So, unfortunately, I had to take on now the responsibility of her daughter my niece, and our two nephews that we also took in when my other sister was having trouble at life all by myself. They were already my responsibility because I used to help my sister out a lot as a teen but it became more challenging when I had to become their complete guardian once she got sick.
Now with having to take care of them I also had to start being a complete caretaker for my sister when she got out of the hospital. She could not do anything at the time but we persevered. She became better over time with the push that I had given her. Also, then at the time let’s also mention that I got pregnant my last year of high school. So, it was like extremely trying time. I would not give up! I continue to take care of all of them. I end up actually just having my sister to have to take care of and my niece because my other sister ended up getting her two boys. It was a lot with just me my sister now and my niece.
Then come to this earth was my first born which was my son. Even though it seems like a lot I was absolutely ecstatic to have brought into this world such a beautiful baby boy. His father was my high school sweetheart. Was stepping in and helping me out a lot. I truly appreciate him as a man helping me with a child that wasn’t even mine and as well as our own. We end up getting married when I was 24 and he was 28. He was five years older than me but we were dating my last year of high school. When we got married, we also had our second child before then when I was 21 which was a beautiful baby girl. Now to get close to bringing us up-to-date. I end up going to school when I was 25, I didn’t know how I was going to do it because at the time my husband was working and my sister was still not in a good shape. I have one child in school and one child still at home.
I was determined to do something with my life so I went to Beauty school. Also, while I was in beauty school, I end up getting pregnant with our last child. That didn’t stop me I end up finishing Majority of my hours while pregnant with her. I then had her and finish the rest of my hours which wasn’t much. Then Begun my life as a hairstylist. It was a little rough at first because I was still trying to build my clientele and my husband had to help me out at first. I had built up a pretty good amount of clientele and really start to think about one day owning my own shop. I was super determined and did it. I am now 38 years old and it may not be much to some with me starting out in a boutique style very chic and modern space. It’s a lot to me with this starting up of my new business and my new journey. Now being the owner of Extraordinaire Hair Bar! I continue to dream big! Thankful every day!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like I was explaining in my story it’s definitely been a few challenges along the way. With starting out not having either parent at such a young age. Because my mother and father divorced before I even got a chance to really get a feel of what family like that feels like. I’ve made a legacy of my own. Also hoping that I teach my children a lot in which I’ve learned. I’m still a working progress . Considering that I did not have much of a foundation. I’ve truly learned a lot from myself. I’ve been taught a few lessons. Of course never give up! Learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward. Don’t hold on the negativity or bad energy around you. Let God be your strength because he most definitely was and is my everything. That’s the only way I look back and see how I was able to do things. Definitely by the grace of God and him guiding and protecting me through i all.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a hairstylist! I love just making women feel good! I do cuts, hair color, hair weaving, wigs and also specialize in healthy hair. What’s set me apart from others is not just me being able to execute a hairstyle but wanting to make sure that I have a relationship with each of my clients. Making them feel pretty and confident. Meeting their needs for everyday working modern women. I also teach them how to keep their hair up not just creating a look for a good video or picture for the gram. I’m very proud of myself because through all the adversities that I face I manage to rise above all of it. Now starting small with my business, I am determined to become another place where women can let their hair down literally lol. Providing good customer service as well as beautiful hair extensions. I also would love to really get my hairline launched.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson that I’ve learned along the way is of course I’m pretty sure you’ve heard is to never give up. It’s a true statement though! Also, to understand that you also may have heard this before as well It’s going to be hard but with every test there is a lesson to be learned. Like I always say you don’t know until you know. In other words, whatever you choose to do you just got a leap out there on faith and see first. Before you just assume that it may not work out. Sometimes you can plan things ahead but most of the time you have to just go out there and see if it’s going to work or not.
Pricing:
- Hairstylist needed $150 for booth rent
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @divahairextraodinaire and @extraordinaire_hair_bair_llc
- Facebook: Roberta Hall
- Other: TikTok @robertahall84
Image Credits
@alexjhudsonphoto
