Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennedy Christopher.
Hi Kennedy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Last year at the beginning of 2021, my mom talked me into going to beauty school for makeup. but I was leaning towards the hair side more just for the fun of it really. I was tired of working and going to a job that didn’t fulfill my needs. So, I got into cosmetology school last year around this time and my family and friends came a supported me like no other. It touched me really because a lot of people were actually coming to my school and we’re willing to let me practice in their heads… that’s a really BIG thing. I went for 7 months from March to October, graduated, was in a shop, and licensed by December. A big BIG Shout out to Mrs. Kim Hightower. Thankfully my clientele from school followed me to shop after graduating, so as a newbie in the shop I didn’t have a problem with getting clients. Now my clientele is expanding as months go by and I couldn’t thank anybody BUT them.
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?
It has its good and bad days, that’s everyone. Sometimes I don’t want to get up the very next day or go out with friends after working because I’m tired, but I learned how to slow myself down and take a break from the salon sometimes. Other than that, I haven’t had any struggles along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a natural hair/loc specialist! Locs just so happened to be one of my biggest strengths so a lot of people know me by doing them and also silk presses. The funny thing is the very first time I retwisted my brother’s hair it took 4 and a half hours and was like yeah, I’m never doing this again. Now I love doing them, takes me 2 hours and 45 minutes max…3 if it’s a 2 strand. Anyways I’m most proud of myself because I never just stopped after I graduated and that’s what a lot of girls do after cosmetology school. I kept going and I thank my mom for teaching me that. She never lets any of her kids quit in ANYTHING they do so shout out to Mama for that! What sets me apart from others is that I learn from others also, I’m not scared to ask the other ladies at the salon about anything or if I need help because they’re way more experienced than I am and so far, I’ve learned a lot from them. Never be scared to ask for more help or advice about anything!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice for those starting out would be start marketing YOURSELF. Make a name for YOURSELF. Promote YOURSELF. If you not hungry enough, you’re not going to succeed. Nobody is going to hold your hand or do stuff for you. You have to do it yourself because not everyone is going to support you and business isn’t going to be booming overnight. Also, you have to really really like your passion or the field you’re in because if not you’re going to get bored with it really quick. Starting out I wish I knew as much as I do now about the beauty industry, not in a bad way but there are people out there who don’t want to see you achieve your goals but you can’t let that stop you.
Contact Info:
- Email: kennedy.christopher99.kc@gmail.com
- Website: kustomizedbykenn.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kustomizedbykenn
