Meet Laressa Gill of Ressa’s Slay Station in Allen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laressa Gill.

Laressa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been in the hair industry for 27 years. I started at a very young age doing hair in my parent’s home charging very little. Because I had so many clients coming to get their hair done at my parents home, I would have to contribute to the water and electricity bill. That was my mom’s way of teaching me responsibility and it also groomed me into the business-savvy entrepreneur, I am today! I thought she was being mean but today I know that it was grooming me to be the Entrepreneur that I have been now for many years. My grandmother told me that I had a gift but I thought everyone could do hair, not knowing that was not the case. I tried to run away from my gift but eventually gave in and it has been the most rewarding thing I could have ever done. I’ve tried a number of career paths but nothing has gained me more satisfaction than being able to be an impact in peoples lives boosting their self-esteem by making them feel beautiful, encouraging them when they feel down and uplifting their spirits by giving positive insights concerning real-life situations. Through the years having people really show gratification by telling me how I’ve been such a great positive influence in their lives, there’s nothing more satisfactory than that. Yes, being a hairstylist allows you to help people in ways you could never imagine and I love it. I’m from a small military town Leesville, La. in which I was blessed to open up my salon Ressa’s Styles of Distinction. The business was a success but my goals, dreams and aspirations superseded anything the area had to offer and I felt I had reached my peak there. I shut my salon down in Leesville May 2016 and started working different jobs which were not me per se but something to do until my next season (I call it my valley experience) would open up. During this time, my life took a turn for the worst and in a one year span, I had two uncles and my only sister pass away. Life looked bleak but I know they all knew and loved me for being a go-getter and they would expect nothing less from me then to keep pursuing my dreams and goals, so I pressed on. God reveals to me what to do and where to go. My husband and I moved to Plano, Tx July 2019 and with his encouragement and believing in me I kicked off my hairstyling career once again in the DFW. In May 2019 a lady by the name of Dela Ameke-Assou the has been featured in Voyage Dallas

Magazine was putting together a hair team for the Ultimate Women’s Expo. I joined the team thanks to Dela and at the Ultimate Women’ Expo 2019 held in Irving, Tx, I launched Ressa’s Slay Station hair product line consisting of my “Slay It” Edge Tamer” which is a hot seller now and my “Sleek & Slay” Foam Wrap, and as only God would have it, I was so fortunate the day of my launching, I was afforded the opportunity to Style Antonia “Toya” Wright’s hair from the reality show “T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle” and used my “Slay It” Edge Tamer on her hair and she endorsed my product for me via her Instagram . I have also had the opportunity to service Ms, Texas 2019, preparing her “mane” for the Ms. America 2019 Pageant. As well as local singer-songwriter “Dezz”. I’m currently preparing, collaborating with my cousin Constance Nevels from Newbern, Al to teach a Trend Cutting & Styling Master Class being held Sept. 23, 2019, in Plano, Tx. I’m so excited for opportunities that have presented themselves and exposure that God has given me in the short time I have been in the DFW area. I know that to lose is gain and this is just the beginning for me. I definitely want to thank Voyage Dallas for this opportunity to tell my story and I can only hope that someone else would be encouraged and follow their dreams in spite of the obstacles, hardships, pitfalls life throws at them, don’t lose sight, just stay focus and trust totally in God because he has our best interest at hand. Remember if it’s meant to be it’s up to me.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has not always been smooth. To work in an industry that seems to be over-saturated at times can be trivial but you have to continue to stay a step ahead of the game. Overcoming by continuing to educate myself in the industry because it is ever-changing and to stay relevant, you have to know the latest trends in hair styling. Regardless of how booked and busy I am, I always Market my business non- stop. Marketing will keep your business in the face of potential clients and I’m always accepting new clients even if they have to be on a waiting list. Also Creating a salon environment that is tranquil, relaxing and dare not compromise on Professionalism. Not making clients wait a long time to be serviced. You will be touched within minutes of arriving for your scheduled appointment. I have always and will always provide exceptional services to my clients, shampoo & conditioner has always been and will always be apart of every service (no Partial services) in my salon. Providing quality, exceptional and timely hair services, has always set me apart in the industry and believe it or not this has made the road a little easier because people will continue to come back to you just for the relaxing and quality services your render. I market for clientele, not customers and there is a difference.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ressa’s Slay Station – what should we know?
I moved to Plano, Tx in July 2018 with encouragement from my husband and family friend I started doing hair again. I initially kept my original salon name (Ressa’s Styles of Distinction) and started in a salon suite in Carrolton, Tx. Then Frisco, Tx with very limited clientele. I decided to regroup to try and build a clientele. I brainstormed to figure out the best strategy to building my business in a city that I have not been in since 1995. I then decided to go and work in Smart Styles in McKinney Nov 2018 where I built an amazing clientele and went on my own again March 2019 re-branded myself with my husband’s brilliant mind he came up with the name Ressa’s Slay Station.

As a hairstylist, I’ve always focused on the hair as a whole. I’ve never zoomed in on one interest so I can service clients needs no matter their hair type. I know that everything is not for everybody, meaning, I go by the clients’ facial structure and head shape to create a style that compliments their unique features. I have a particular interest in hair loss and healthy hair. I do everything from Precision hair Cuts & Styles, Relaxers, Natural Hair, Color, Hair Extensions but no matter what I do my ultimate goal is to not compromise the integrity of the hair and keeping it in a healthy state. Being here in the DFW I see most hairstylist here have specialties they do one style on everybody and have perfected that style but I see no versatility. I never wanted to limit my money, so I do it all. I also continue to educate myself in the industry as to not fall short in the field and be left behind. My clientele is all age groups and I possess the skill set to service them accordingly.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I had to the opportunity as an 11th grader in High School to work in a Hair Salon called Renaissance Styling salon owned by a lady name Deidra Cruel she was truly a business-savvy woman having attended Dudley Beauty College she was at the top of her craft in the hair industry. She specialized in healthy hair and educated her clients accordingly. I soaked up everything I could from her like a sponge and she was my true inspiration. My 1st lady at church Mother Judy Johnson asked my grandmother if I would be interested in working at the salon and she knew it would be ideal for me so that’s how it started and my gift blossomed like a flower. Through the years I have had so many people to inspire me living in cities like Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, I always gravitated to the hair scene taking away a great deal of industry knowledge. There have been various industry professionals whom I have admired and learned from through the years beauty educator Nikita Smith-Mattison of Chicago, Il. is the best in my book and truly inspired me earlier on in my career with her dynamic precision cutting, coloring & styling techniques and skills, Fabulous out of Detroit, Mi. The weave king and I also within recent years fell in love with Colette (Atlanta Master Stylist) and Hullema (The Covered Stylist) from Philadelphia’s work both of these sistas artistry truly stand out and speak volumes in today’s hair industry in my professional opinion. I truly admire their creativity as hair artist and educators. I also thank my supportive husband, family members and my beautiful clientele that love my work and have supported me through the years, and my new DFW clients that continue to support me by coming to get slayed on a consistent bases, I can’t thank you all enough.

Dela Meke-Assou and I have just launched a new business together called Slay Station Elite mobile Salon. Grand opening in 2 weeks! We are hiring Braiders and hairstylist in DFW, Houston & Austin. They will be stylist traveling to our clients home, office, special events, or weddings to provide hair braiding or hairstyling services on-site.

Contact Info:

• Address: 190 E. Stacy Rd. Suite 1724
  Rm. 211
  Allen, Tx. 75002
• Website: www.ressasslaystation.com
• Phone: (469) 395-2040
• Email: laressag43@gmx.com

Image Credit:
James W. Rener

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