Today we’d like to introduce you to Joclyn Gaston-Roberts.
Hi Joclyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Joliet, IL. I started doing hair in 1992. I was 12 years old in the 7th grade, doing my own hair… I always loved hair and fashion, but being a tall woman with a port wine stain birthmark on the left side of my face. I looked a lot different than my classmates and friends… So very early on, I had to get creative with my clothing, as they didn’t make clothing for tall women and my hair to help camouflage my birthmark. And with that came a clientele base. Because people would always ask, “who did your hair? It went from me doing my own hair, to doing my friends and their friends and parents and so on. I built a clientele base from junior high into high school… At age 16, one month before my 17 birthday, I gave birth to the sweetest little baby boy. I Graduated high school early and gave birth to my beautiful daughter at 18… I moved out of my parent’s house into my first apartment and went to hair school right outta high school… Two years later at 20 yrs. old. I moved to Kansas City, with my dad.. (where I met some of the most genuine people I’ve ever known in my entire life) who wanted nothing from me other than friendship… I finished out my hair school experience in Kansas City… I lived in Kansas city for 4 1/2 years . Until I moved back to Illinois in 2004. And stated dating my then-friend turned boyfriend, now Husband and 4 years later gave birth to our beautiful daughter… I went back to school in 2010, to professional choice hair design academy, where I learned the absolute most about the science of cosmetology, more than I’d learned at any other school… No disrespect to the other schools, but professionals choice was extremely thorough. I worked in Illinois in my respective field. Until 2015 when we moved to Dallas… One month after moving to Texas, we found out that my husband had a brain tumor… To God be the Glory it was benign.. it’s been removed and he is well… Since then I have worked in a corporate salon.. building a clientele but also thinking I would eventually get out of my field and do something else. So I started taking a real estate class… but I’m that felt Unfulfilled… And one day I was sitting in the office of my job. Taking to the general manager.. and in my spirit.. there was a small still voice saying it’s time… Keeping In mind that I had been in prayer about God’s will over my life.. So I went home that night and told my husband that I felt like God was telling me it was time to step out into my own salon space.. That was at the end of October/ beginning of November… His response was, whatever you wanna do I support you… from that moment on. I started to put a plan in motion… I went to work the very next day and Googled salon suites… My Salon Suites came up and I sent them a message… A few minutes later, I got a call from the manager there… Her and I talked for an hour like old friends. The following Monday, my daughter and I met with her and toured the building… I told the manager I was interested in the space but I needed time to tell my clients, and also allow my husband’s work transition to go through. So we both weren’t transitioning at the same time, which for me would be two months… She said, “As long as you pay the deposit is yours”… When we left my daughter said ” “Mommy I like this place”… we went home, and I asked my husband if I could put down a deposit.. and he said go for it.. after that… it was kinda etched in stone.. that this thing was happening… From Nov to Jan 1. I quietly told all of my clients that I was moving and exchanged numbers with over Two hundred people in the process… without a single soul within my job ever finding out I was moving… until I told them On New Year’s Eve. Psalms 27:5-6 says for in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle, He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And that is exactly what he did. At any time, someone could have heard my clients and I talking about my move, and I could have be walked out on that day. But God!!!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Stepping out into your own workspace is always a bumpy road… It’s a risk, right? You don’t know how it’s gonna go… It’s been an amzing journey. I have some of the most supportive clients that anyone could ask for… I guess the struggle for me is utilizing social media to build my brand… I’m old school, and everything was word of mouth. Clearly, things have changed, so I’m learning to put myself out there in that aspect.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
At Inner Beauty, I specialize in all aspect of Healthy hair care… I service all hair types and textures, Men, women, and children. From anything as simple as a haircut and color. Be it a skin fade. Business cut Graphic designs, mid length or long layer, to extensions long or short, glued, sewn taped, or nonsurgical hair replacement systems for women or men… To natural 4c hair or dreadlocs…All hair types and textures are welcome… my goal is to be well-versed to address all of the hair care needs of the people… I don’t ever want to be boxed in.
What were you like growing up?
Because of my height and birthmark, I hated standing out. I tried to shrink myself, to hide so that I wouldn’t be noticed because everywhere I went, people would say you’re too tall, or girl who slapped you… So, you could imagine… I hated standing out… And my mother saw that she told me Jocie, everywhere you go people are gonna look at you, so you may as well give them something to look at… And she would make me walk around the house in heels with a book on my head to Make sure I was standing up straight… so that where my love of fashion kinda came from… I thrifted as a kid because we went rich. And couldn’t afford the latest… but I developed my own style… I had I rule being tall… Either pull my pants down or pull my shoes up… and since no jeans were long enough to reach my ankles… I took a liking to boots and shoes that came up to the knee… I was just trying to take up some of the leg space… but it wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized people liked it and thought I was stylish…
Contact Info:
- Website: Innerbeautytexas.com
- Instagram: Texashairtherapy
- Facebook: Joclyn Roberts
- Other: Tiktok Texashairtherpist
