Today we’d like to introduce you to Gianah Sparks.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I first learned how to braid at 5, & it’s stuck with me since. My mother was a braider, so I’d sit and watch her and eventually learned for myself on my dolls. I started by doing my twins’ hair throughout elementary. I would experiment with scraps of hair my mom left around and just grew a love for it. I learned a lot of stuff just by watching YouTube tutorials and practicing. I eventually started taking clients as a freshman in high school and that’s basically how I made my money as a teen. I graduated in 2020, the year the pandemic hit. Although the pandemic hurt a lot of businesses, I am fortunate to say it blessed mine. I did hair out of my parents’ house and happened to have a lot of braiding hair on hand. The beauty supplies and beauty shops were closed due to quarantine. One promo video of me advertising all the hair I had at my “in-home salon” changed it all for me. People saw where to go, and clients just started flooding in. I worked nonstop, sunup to sundown, the whole spring-summer. From that moment forward I’ve had consistent clientele and have gotten to build long-term relationships with some great people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, my journey has been smooth. One struggle I do face is getting exposure, which is why I eventually moved into a shop. I feel my work is great and should get more recognition, and I mean that in the humblest way possible for
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I do a lot when it come to hair. Braids, locs, twists, sew-ins, & wigs. My specialty would be braids. I’m known for trying new things. A client can come to me with an idea, and I’ll be able to execute it. I love when clients bring new ideas, it allows me to be creative
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice to those starting out is to stay consistent! Consistency is key and allows room for improvement. Stay focused on your own lane. We can often get caught up in what everyone else is doing and think what we’re doing isn’t good enough. This is your journey, nobody else’s. Move at your own pace, life isn’t a race.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://styledbygigi.as.me/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/styledbygigi_?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=
