Today we’d like to introduce you to Britty J.
Great, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well I was born and resided in Kansas City, Missouri, I have been braiding hair since middle school. I remember I used to braid hair on the porch on the block in my neighborhood and in the gym during P.E class. I had a really tough upbringing been through a lot of things most wouldn’t survive from don’t know how but I made it during that time. Actually for about 9/10 years, I didn’t even do hair besides my own because I was in the system.
After my parents got divorced at the age of ten, I got in foster care then group homes around age 13, then my troublesome kind of got worse from there until God saved me and blessed me with my oldest son when I was 18. So I just did my own hair… of course a few times I did some of the girls in the group home and stuff during my stay but for the most part just mine and when I got outworked jobs being a mother and became a wife so I was focused on the now and not the building my clientele even though hair is what I was passionate about. Then 2012, I finally enrolled in cosmetology school because working for people was not for me. My ex-husband at that time got a good job at GM, which gave me what I needed to quit and go for my dream of being a stylist. It was hard. I stopped twice but finally finished got my license and been grinding ever since.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It absolutely has not been a smooth road I wish it were lol. I remember I was working at our bank and doing hair from home because my clientele wasn’t where I felt comfortable for me to quit yet, but I hated getting up going to that dang job then getting off and doing hair and still being a mom and wife it was just too much I wasn’t happy I was tired and honestly miserable, so I took that leap of faith and quit!! Lord that was the scariest moment of my life and was the waves about to hit it was times my lights got shut off car got repoed, even though those things only lasted a day or so it still happened I was stressed like did I make the right decision I have kids it was crazy.
That was just the beginning, I stopped doing hair from home and went to a shop paying booth rent at the beginning I wasn’t making money I wasn’t even breaking even I was losing but it definitely tested my faith I stayed with it. The biggest change was when I left doing hair from home and went to a shop after about 2 1/2 3 months. My clientele grew which made things start looking up for me. It definitely tested my marriage at the time even my talent. I was lost but it was all worth it in the end. I once was told by a dear client, “You can’t run away when what you prayed for comes, but doesn’t come the way you want it to come!” Best thing anybody could ever tell me to this day!!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
So I’m a licensed stylist I do a lot extensions, color, natural, kids, ponytails/buns, braids, etc. but what I specialize in and what I am known for is Braiding. I didn’t even start back braiding until 2017 didn’t even want to be back braiding but I’m glad I had one of my clients talk me into braiding her hair lol it took my business further. Although I miss doing my extensions all the time, I still get to do them from time to time. What I’m most proud about is making it this far BY MYSELF I can truly say I did it all alone, and that is so gratifying because it’s my passion it’s my life I love what I do I don’t half do any client rather I’m tired from standing 13/14/16 hours I give it 1000% to each and every client and I believe that’s what makes me stand apart as well.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t think luck has anything to do with anybody’s success; it’s about your grind, your hustle. How bad do you really want it!! If luck played a role, my life wouldn’t have been rough from the time I was a kid to adulthood, so I don’t believe in luck I believe in destiny… everything happens for a reason when it’s your season!
Contact Info:
- Website: Brittyjstyles.acuityscheduling.com
- Phone: 8168251003
- Email: stylesbybrittyj@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamstylesby_brittyj
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