Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikita Patterson
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?
After moving to Plano from Arkansas in the Fall of 2017, with my 2 late teen children, I wanted to stay in the beauty industry but not styling women’s hair. I knew I was depleting my savings so I needed an income. Reflecting back to how I’ve always been around the barbering industry in some form, I decided to go with my gut.
After visiting a membership barbershop I knew I needed to learn how to cut men’s hair so I worked at Great Clips for Only 6 months… had a cousin to mention Floyd’s. I mustered up the courage to go visit, was basically forced/begged to apply by management…was there for 5 years, 3 more than planned.
After going through Covid and losing my dear friend, my mother, it was time for a change.
A total stranger saw me in a restaurant in Lewisville after kayaking with a friend and asked if I were a business owner because he’d just moved to Texas from Cali.
I took the knowledge and belief in the stranger from that divine meeting, encouragement from a couple friends and prayer and started my barber lounge in a suite.
Fast forward… I’ve sustained by mistakes and prayer.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I laugh out loud…. There was a paved road but I didn’t know to take it, I created one of my own….
It definitely did not go as I had envisioned. Without being vein but transparent, I just knew that I could attract men to my business because of my esthetics. Not thinking about loyalty being big in this business along with marketing!
So in addition to not having enough marketing, I didn’t prepare financially for the startup nor the ebbs and flows. These 2 things were and are major to a startup. I also learned that I needed a CPA, a strategy, a business plan and a community of support and mentors.
As you know, we’re big fans of Nikki’s Barber Lounge. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
For starters the name came from childhood… my name is Nikita but my late mother called me Nikki, hence Nikki’s Barber
Lounge.
The ‘lounge’ was incorporated because I’ve seen too many unprofessional barber and beauty shops and I have visions of swanky spaces that includes more than chairs and work stations. I’m a believer that our environments can affect our mentality and way of life.
Yes I’m a barber by trade (cut men and women’s natural hair) but I also create safe spaces for conversation, relaxation and laughter. I specialize in cutting all textures, overly curly to straight… corporate cuts to skin fades…mullets to Afros. I offer hot towel shaves using the straight razor, beard care services and a relaxing cleansing facial.
I’m most proud of setting and creating a higher standards of professionalism (inside &out) for myself, my clients and upcoming barbers and stylists. Do I have it all together and have I accomplished my vision, absolutely not but I’m intentionally learning and improving in all ways to benefit those around me and those whom I’m supposed to meet.
I would want everyone to know that I do not proclaim to be the best in the services that I offer but you can trust that I am fostering ways to provide the best experiences.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
How many times have you heard “If I knew then what I know now…”. Although i would not exchange my startup experience for a smoother start I wish I would have had a written business plan, I wish I had done more research and talked to more people in the spaces I wanted to be in. I should’ve started forming relationships at networking events…get to know financial planners, CPAs, form relationships with the right banks long before you need them…learn about saving and lending options for your business. Learn about leadership even if you are the only employee;owner and operator. Intentionally improve your skill set, Daily.
These should have been at the top of the list but make sure your mindset is on optimism with failure sprinkled in because not all days will be sunshine; a strong sense of belief in yourself and skill set; and your initial move should not be your endgame…. Be grateful but not complacent…Look to scale and or to create on a greater level.
Pricing:
- Haircut $60
- Haircut & Beard $75
- Beard service only $40
- The Big Chop (transitional haircut)$100
- Rejuvenation Facial $70
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Nikkisbl.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: @nikkisbarberlounge
Image Credits
Fabrice Fouonji
