Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayna.
Shayna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am always changing something with my hair. I’ve experimented with everything: cuts, color, various styles, weave, heat, heat damage (SO much damage) – all of it. I’ve always been of the opinion that my hair is “just hair,” so I’ve never stuck to one thing – it’s just hair, it’ll grow back! So I started a YouTube channel back in 2013. I figured, hey, I like doing my hair, talking about it, so I’m just going to make a channel. At the time, I literally had three audience members: my two sisters and my mom. I made two videos before I came to the harsh reality that YouTube is HARD! I had to video myself doing my hair, wait for it to dry, take it down, be entertaining and informative. I had to then edit the video and just HOPE that people watched it. So with all that, I was overwhelmed. I told myself I’d leave the YouTube job to someone else, and simply be a viewer. And that’s exactly what I did for about three years. Then, at the end of 2016, I began getting the “YouTube itch” again. I was a lot more serious about it this time, I did the whole “YouTube starter pack” thing, went out and bought a camera, a ring light, decorated a section of my bedroom and made it a studio, and I was back in business! I think the difference in how I am able to be consistent now and a large part of how I’ve kept going is that I let go of all of my fears pertaining to what people might think of the content I create. Instead, if I upload a video on YouTube or a picture on Instagram, I do it because it just may help that ONE person. The great thing about it is, I did help one person. And that person told another person, and another person told a group of people, and now I have this neat little community of my own within Instagram and YouTube that is just constantly growing! I always have something to look forward to because I’m constantly learning about my hair and trying new styles.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road. The biggest challenge has been finding balance between my life activities. For as long as I can be an inspiration to people and continue to network, I am going to keep making videos. But I have a full-time job separate from IG and YouTube. Up until a few months ago, I actually had two jobs, and I was in school full time. So between those things that are mandatory, also spending time with my husband, friends, and family, I had to make a way for all of these things to work. Planning has become my best friend. I write down everything. I give myself time limits for days I’m going to shoot and edit videos, and still, get to make memories off the ‘gram.
Another challenge is the beasts that Instagram and YouTube are. You know, all the algorithms that lead people to me. Knowing that the more I post, the higher visibility my page gets. But the fact is, sometimes I don’t have anything to post. Sometimes I don’t have anywhere to go, so there’s no need for me to do my hair. I used to struggle with that and constantly feel the need to post something ‘just because.’ I had to just get out of my own head, my life is not that grand, and there’s no need for me to make it seem like it is. I love the networking that social media allows me to do, but I realized there are more ways for me to be present online than posting daily, which is stressful. I move at my own pace, and I’m just fine with that.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I utilize social media to connect with people who want to learn more about and style natural hair. I am not a licensed professional. I am simply an enthusiast who has learned a lot along the way and loves to share information. I create videos on how I style my natural hair, what products I love (and don’t love), and pictorials as well. The natural hair community is unique in the sense that just because a product works well on one person, doesn’t mean my hair will have the same reaction. We all have different textures, curl patterns, etc. So there’s a lot for me to experiment with, a lot of content to be created! I’m most proud of the way that I’ve been able to come out of my bubble since I’m talking about something I’m truly passionate about. I’ve met so many awesome people and gained partnerships by simply being myself! I’ve had the pleasure to work with some awesome brands like SheaMoisture and One Little Parrot. I’ve also been able to work directly with some amazing local black-owned businesses, such as Ebena Dallas and TruFX Studios. Sometimes I just sit back, and I’m so happy that I started back documenting my hair journey. My hair truly is my favorite hobby. What sets me apart from others is, well… my hair! It’s a conversation starter; it is versatile, it’s a crown that I wear proudly every day.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Dallas has so many networking events for naturals; it has absolutely been beneficial for me being here. When I first decided that I would be more active in Dallas’ natural hair community, I would search and find a lot of meetups and people looking to discuss the same things I’m interested in. I’d definitely recommend that someone starting out here do the same.
Contact Info:
- Email: sayshaynatx@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sayshaynatx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SayShayna/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/sayshayna
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI0KwmuiE5rN5yK9Dn-KM3A
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.
