Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Loving.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am 29 years old, born and raised in Gulfport, Mississippi by my Grandmother. I graduated high school in 2008 with Honors. I always loved school. I was a smart kid growing up and my Grandmother taught me everything about respect, dignity, self-love, and God’s word. But as most teenagers, I started to get into trouble, hanging with the wrong crowd and “smelling myself”.
After high school, I was too busy trying to be a “Bad Girl”, I didn’t have any plans for college. I had no idea what I wanted to study or become. I knew I wanted to make money and if I went to college, I would have to wait years before seeing any money. So, I worked two jobs and hung out with my friends a couple of months after graduating. After speaking with my Aunt over the phone, who is a Computer Engineer, I decided to go to college. She encouraged me to find my passion and working at Wendy’s and Cracker Barrel was not going to get me far. So, I enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and decided to study Medical Billing and Coding. I was proud of myself and thankful my Aunt seen more in me than I did at that time. My family was happy that I made a decision to go to college and was spending less time in the streets.
Well, that “happy” moment didn’t last long. Soon after starting school, my life came tumbling down. I got myself into some trouble. I was 18 years old. I had to leave school due to this situation. Now I was questioning myself… where do I go from here? I felt like it was me against the world. My family was so disappointed with the decision I was making. How did this little sweet, smart girl turn out to be a “Bad Girl”?
I later applied for another job working overnight at Arby’s. There I met this guy. He and I became close friends. He would always tell me to do the “right thing” and tried to encourage me to stay out of trouble. This guy later became my baby’s father. So, here I am, 19 years old, no college degree, no good paying job, and pregnant. What was I doing? Where was life taking me? But little did I know that this little 7lb, 11oz baby boy who I named Christian would change my life for the better. Christian was born in January (two days after my birthday) of 2010. Christian brought me and my mother relationship back together and made me such an amazing woman.
Eleven months and eight days after giving birth to Christian, I made a sudden decision (my Aunts encouragement once again) to move to Dallas, TX in 2011. Texas is where I learned to get on my grown woman. My Aunt only could help me so much because she had to work. I came from a small country town to a huge city with over five highways. There were many days of tears. I had an 11-month-old baby and 20 years old in a brand new city. It was hard but I managed to enroll back into college (two classes away from my Associates in Science), got a great job paying a lot more than Arbys, and my own place. It was definitely a tough journey but so well worthy. I am so much stronger, smarter, wiser, and an amazing mother who is raising an amazing little boy. He has no idea how special he is.
After working a couple of great jobs, I realized, working for somebody else was not for me and more money, more problems. I did not want to answer to anyone, ask someone to take a vacation, or spend my day and/or nights building someone else dreams. I start reading books like “Think and Grow Rich”, “The Secret”, “Rich Dad Poor Dad”, etc.. I wanted more in life and realized the only difference between me and the rich was “effort”. I could be wealthy too!
Fast-forward five years later, I met an amazing person who I fell in love with. She motivates me and encourages me to go harder each day. She’s my partner. She helps me daily to become that successful braider/business owner. She’s a barber and we are building this together. I motivate her and she motivates me. Our clients like to call it a one Stop Shop. We’re just a couple that wants to enhance your confidence/beauty while building an empire!
I am very humble and focus on becoming one of the greatest braiders in the world!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I believe any great success will have some bumpy roads. If it was easy, we’ll all be very successful. One of my struggles was and still is getting my business out to the public and gaining more clientele when it seems like everyone is doing the same thing you are doing. But, I had to realize there are 28.7 million people in Texas (from 2018) alone and there are more people than braiders so I too, can eat! I read this post on social media that said, “When you feel discouraged about your business idea because there’s so many people around you doing the same thing. Go to the grocery store & look down the bread isle. Same idea, 15+ companies selling the same thing! We all can eat boo. Don’t doubt your ability.”
This was the light for me. This was so much motivation because it was so real! From that moment, I been doing me and mastering my craft daily.
Another struggle is just being a mother, working a 9-5, and building my brand, but again it’s not going to be smooth and I accept that and work hard each and everyday towards my dream. Sometimes I am up to 5AM in the morning braiding hair and up again at 9AM ready for my next client. What they say, “The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately.”
Braids by Rae – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’ve always been into hair every since I was a little girl. My grandmother would style my hair for school and I would take it down the very next day and style it a different way. I never wanted to wear the same style for a long time. As I grew older, I continued this behavior. I change my hair like I change clothes. Lol. Literally. I would have a bob one day and box braids the next. I like all types of hairstyles, but I love braids!
I would style my cousins and friends hair in my younger teens and as I reached my 20s, I realized I wanted to do hair for a living but I didn’t have the confidence nor the faith to go for. I would always place my talent on the back burner but in the same sense I knew I needed to gather myself and make it happen because this was my passion and I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life helping someone else build their dreams (working a 9-5).
When I was 26 years old, I decided to go to hair school, but my school was soon closed and I was promoted at work so once again, I moved my dream to the side and focused solely on my new promotion. But, was this God’s plan? I question this because I wasn’t too interested in cutting, coloring, flat ironing, curling, or weaves. I wanted to braid and in the state of TX, I didn’t need a license for that. I wasn’t aware of this at the time I started school.
I love braiding because you can get very creative and it’s more natural. I absolutely love braiding little girls hair. I love the accessories and designs I can do with them and they love it as well. I strongly believe that we should teach our young girls how to present themselves in a lady-like manner (appearance and behavior) and I am able to have part in this teaching when I style their hair. I have a young client; she’s six years old. She calls me to set her own appointments or ask her mom, “Mom, can you call Miss. Raven, so I tell her how I want my hair?” I love it!
I gained my confidence and leaned on my faith to go full force with my talent in braiding. I didn’t worry about the likes, shares on social media or being “accepting” in the industry. I just remain humble, pray and practice! I always provide great customer service. The money going to come. I do this because I love it and I want to always do right by my clients. I enjoy enhancing a person’s beauty and speaking positivity into my young clients. I plan to take this to another level and will be sharing more information soon!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is achieving your goals and being in a happy state about it. Success is also doing your best, giving your all.
I believe John Wooden said it best, “Success is a peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”
I aim to please all of my clients (young and elder). My goal is to have clients from all over the world who trust and enjoys me as their stylist. I want my young clientele to have somewhere to go when they need someone to talk to, or they are feeling insecure. I work hard to build relationships with my clients. I listen and understand their wants/needs.
My salon will soon be a known salon where people come to no matter of age, color, religion, or sex to enhance their beauty and feel great about themselves.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 228-265-1115
- Email: lovingwashington@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/loving_washington
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
