Today we’d like to introduce you to Kashif Williams.
Hi Kashif, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
’ve always been that curious kid who couldn’t sit still—I was always taking things apart and putting them back together, whether it was cooking in the kitchen, fixing cars, or even building decks. But even as I dabbled in everything, it was my fascination with hair that truly captured my heart. I remember how my mom, a resourceful single parent and my very first “kitchen beautician,” would style hair on the side to make ends meet. When she bought me a doll at age three just so I could experiment with hair, I felt like I’d discovered a secret world. By age 12, I was already braiding my sisters’ hair, my cousins’, and even my mom’s—a skill that connected me deeply to the people I loved.
In high school, my passion grew as I learned more about sew-ins and extensions from friends and mentors. It wasn’t just about learning techniques; it was about connecting with others, making them feel beautiful, and sharing a piece of myself with every style I created. Even during a short stint at college, I found myself sneaking into dorms to style hair, realizing that the traditional academic path wasn’t where my heart was. I knew I couldn’t put my passion on hold, nor did I want to build a future on debt when my true calling was right in front of me.
So, in 2009, I took a leap of faith and enrolled at Capri Beauty College near Chicago. That decision was life-changing—I poured my heart into every class, excelled in competitions, and even got to help teach braiding and extensions. Graduating with high honors wasn’t just a professional milestone; it was a personal victory that affirmed I was meant to be here. Soon after, I took my state test and in February 2010 I launched my career at Cherish Beauty Salon, where I quickly moved from being a personal hairstylist to head stylist and then salon manager. But the Chicago market had its challenges—an under-regulated industry meant unlicensed practitioners often undercut the value of true professional artistry, leaving me questioning if I could truly flourish there.
Determined to find a place that felt right, I made the nerve-wracking decision to move to Dallas in March 2017. Due to it being a shortage of ethnic stylist for the demand of the rapid growing city. I spent a weekend exploring salons until I found D-Hair Boutique—a space that instantly felt like home. The camaraderie there was incredible; it was like joining a family that celebrated every win and supported me through every challenge. Even as I rebuilt my clientele in a new city, I made sure not to leave behind the loyal clients from Chicago by flying back every couple of weeks. It wasn’t easy starting over, but each challenge strengthened my resolve and taught me the importance of staying true to who I am.
the Covid-19 crisis hit. During that downtime, I embraced a new challenge by diving into real estate school from home—a pursuit I completed in just over a month. This unexpected pause taught me the power of adaptability and reinforced that even in uncertainty, I can find new paths and opportunities. Once restrictions eased, I expanded my work—taking on photoshoots, styling for weddings, and even extending my reach to clients in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
A particularly exciting chapter has been the chance to work with high-profile clients who inspire me every day. I’ve had the honor of styling celebrities like Malaysia from Basketball Wives, Toya Harris-Bush of Married to Medicine, Monyetta from Hollywood Ex’s and RHOA, Big Freeda, Dr. Contessa (also from Married to Medicine), Melody from Love and Marriage Huntsville, philanthropist Anita Wilson, and Claudia Jordan from Radio and RHOA. Each of these experiences has been deeply personal and has pushed me to refine my craft even further.
Outside of hair, I live a life full of adventure—traveling to over 20 countries, exploring eclectic fashion, modeling in fashion shows, becoming an ambassador for a few different brands , and even diving into extreme sports like skydiving and rock climbing. I also channel my passion for transformation into my nonprofit organization, Assignment 61:3 INC., our “Crowning Confidence” initiative inspired by Isaiah 61:3. Through this work, we help empower trans women, women and children of all hues navigating the challenges of cancer, alopecia, and gender identity. We restore their sense of beauty, identity, and self-worth through a deeply personalized and holistic approach. providing custom-made wigs, personalized styling, and capturing their journeys with professional photography and videography.
Looking back, my journey from that curious child with a doll’s hair to a seasoned hairstylist and community advocate has been anything but smooth—each struggle, every tough decision, and even a global pandemic has shaped who I am today. I’ve learned that resilience and staying true to your values are the keys to not just surviving, but thriving. And through every twist and turn, I’ve discovered that my greatest joy comes from making others feel confident, beautiful, and truly seen. With 15 years being liscensed in the industry I’m grateful for my journey it’s helped me experience the unimaginable.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Early on, I worked in a commission-based salon that ultimately had to close—a reality of the black hair industry where the commission model often fails. In Chicago, despite the opportunity to learn and grow, the market was oversaturated and under-regulated. Unlicensed practitioners frequently undercut the prices of those of us who had invested in proper education and training, making it incredibly challenging to thrive.
I knew I needed a change, both in terms of the industry environment and my own surroundings. So, with little money and a lot of uncertainty, I made a bold move to Dallas—a 13-hour drive I took alone. I stayed with a friend (since family accommodations didn’t work out) while scouting for a salon that felt right. After interviewing with a couple of places, I found the perfect fit, even though starting over as an independent stylist was daunting.
Moving across the country meant rebuilding everything from scratch. To maintain my loyal Chicago clientele, I set up a rigorous plan to fly back every two weeks for a few days of work. My schedule became 12 days on, followed by 2 days off—a demanding routine that persisted until March 2020. Each of these challenges has tested my resilience and taught me the true value of perseverance in the face of uncertainty.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a hairstylist first and foremost, passionately dedicated to transforming hair into a symbol of health, beauty, and self-expression. I specialize in creating and maintaining healthy hair, with a unique focus on custom sewing machine-made hair units. My expertise also spans color treatments, keratin treatments, haircuts, sew-ins, silk presses, and various other services. Over the years, I’ve built a reputation for achieving naturally healthy hair growth and flawless installations—whether it’s a precision sew-in or a meticulous keratin treatment—that truly stand out.
I take immense pride in witnessing the transformations of my clients. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone’s hair grow longer and healthier than they ever imagined, or even than they’ve seen in decades. This passion for transformation extends beyond the salon chair. Through my non-profit organization, Assignment 61.3 INC. , I’ve embraced a mission to crown confidence. We work to uplift and empower trans women, women and children of all hues navigating the challenges of cancer, alopecia, and gender identity. We restore their sense of beauty, identity, and self-worth through a deeply personalized and holistic approach. Our comprehensive care goes beyond hair services—we create custom-made wigs tailored to each client’s measurements and style, offer professional makeup, wardrobe styling, and eyebrow services, and even capture these life-changing moments with photography and videography. This holistic approach not only rejuvenates hair but also builds lasting confidence and resilience.
What truly sets me apart is my commitment to the health and long-term integrity of my clients’ hair. I’m not afraid to say no when a particular treatment might do more harm than good. For example, I haven’t done relaxers in over eight years because I believe a non-chemical keratin treatment can achieve the desired look while preserving hair’s natural versatility. I carefully assess each client’s hair and will refuse services—such as sew-ins on fragile edges or coloring overly porous hair—if I feel it compromises its health. For me, it starts in the chair but continues with proper aftercare and maintenance. This integrity and dedication ensure that my clients not only leave looking their best, but also with hair that stays strong and beautiful for the long haul.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
the Bible and Faith keep me going and spiritually Uplifted as well as the read podcast and a great therapist
Pricing:
- Custom Units (UPart 250+)(Closures 300+)(Frontals 375+)
- Keratin Treatments 275
- Shampoo & Style/Silkpress 120+
- Sewins (Partials 185+)(Traditionals 225+)(Closures /Flip overs 260+)(Frontals 300+)
- Color 30Per bundle/closure First Process, 15 per bundle/ closure for each additional process
Contact Info:
- Website: Styleseat.com/stylinista
- Instagram: instagram.com/theehairwhisperer
Image Credits
Justin Jones
Whitney Dawn
Robert Washington
