We’re looking forward to introducing you to Shatima Simmons. Check out our conversation below.
Shatima, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is most important because it is the foundation of trust, respect, and lasting success in every area of life. When you have integrity, you stay true to your values, keep your word, and do the right thing even when no one is watching.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Ordinary Hair is special to me because it’s more than just a salon—it’s a reflection of my passion, my creativity, and my journey. I built this brand with the intention of creating a space where people can feel beautiful, confident, and cared for. Every detail, from the services we offer to the atmosphere inside the salon, represents my values of quality, authenticity, and community. Ordinary Hair is not just about hairstyles; it’s about transformation, self-expression, and the trust clients place in me. It’s a dream I’ve turned into reality, and that makes it deeply personal and meaningful.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The grind — processing and testing. Some days you make progress, some days you fall back. You test what still works and what needs to change. This is where small wins matter most.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering showed me how strong I could be when life gave me no choice but to endure. It gave me empathy — the ability to see pain in others and meet it with compassion, instead of judgment. It forced me to redefine what really matters: not the applause or the appearance of achievement, but the quiet perseverance that builds character.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is real, but it’s not all of me. It’s the part I choose to share — the polished edges, the strength, the story I feel safe telling. But behind it are the quiet moments, the doubts, the healing, and the parts I’m still figuring out. Both are me. One is seen, the other is felt. And maybe the truest version of me lives in the space where the two finally meet.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
“I want people to say that I lived with heart, that I poured love and authenticity into everything I touched. That I built something meaningful out of ordinary beginnings. That I made people feel seen, beautiful, and valued — whether in my salon, in my family, or in passing moments. I want them to remember my resilience, how I stood back up when life knocked me down, and how I kept choosing kindness even when I had every reason not to. Most of all, I want the story of my life to be one of courage, love, and impact — not just that I existed, but that I made a difference.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.ordinaryhair.com
- Instagram: OrdinaryHair.studio
- Facebook: @ordinaryhair
Image Credits
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