We’re looking forward to introducing you to Gena Watson. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Gena, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I want to step fully into the role of a teacher and mentor for other hair hairstylists. For a long time, I doubted whether I was “qualified enough” to guide others. But Ive come to realize that my experience, my struggles, and my wins have equipped me with something valuable: wisdom that can help others avoid the pitfalls I faced. Now, I feel a deep pull to help hairstylists not just with technique, but with the mindset, systems, and confidence they need to build real, sustainable success. I want to help them feel supported, empowered, and truly set up for success. Not just in their craft, but in their careers and lives.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I am Gena Watson. I am a hairstylist, salon owner @ Mane’ly Extensions as well as the creator of Laka Hair Extensions. I have been in the beauty industry for over 25 years, and my passion has always gone beyond just doing hair. I love helping women feel confident, empowered, and seen. Laka Hair Extensions was born out of that same passion, to offer high quality, luxury extensions that blend beautifully.
Over the years I’ve built my business through hustle, trial and error, and a deep commitment to always growing. Now I am stepping into a new chapter opening my second salon while also building a hair extension company. My goal is to teach stylists how to build success on their own terms. Whether it’s through technique, business strategies, or mindset, I want to be here to help stylist feel set up…not just with tools, but with a vision and path forward. Mr story is still unfolding, but one thing I know for sure: we rise by lifting others, and that is exactly what I intend to do!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
It is often fear. Fear of being misunderstood, or not being enough, of being vulnerable. That fear can show up as ego, judgement, comparison, or silence. It creates distance, even when deep down we’re craving connection.
What restores those bonds is honesty, empathy, and showing up, imperfect but real. When we lead with compassion and listen to understand, we create space for healing. In my work with hairstylists and clients alike, I’ve seen how powerful it is to offer grace. Grace to ourselves and to others. Relationships, just like careers, thrive when there’s room for truth, trust, and growth.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me resilience in a way success never could. Growing up in an environment of abuse, I learned early on what it meant to survive and to keep going even when love, safety, and support were missing. That pain gave me a fire, not to just build a successful career, but to break cycles, to prove the world wrong, and to become the parent I never had. Success has brought me pride and purpose, but suffering gave me drive. It taught me how to lead with compassion, and how to stand strong.
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?
Absolutely. What you get is what you see. I wear my heart on my sleeve. The Passion, the emotion, the honesty, its all real. I don’t believe in hiding behind a curated image. The way I show up publicly is the same way I show up for my clients and my family. I think there’s power in being transparent, even when its messy. People connect to real, not perfect, and I’d rather be authentic than polished any day.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m absolutely doing what I was born to do. I have always been independent and driven. I did not have the best childhood, but instead of letting that define me, I let it fuel me. I turned every pain into purpose. Every step I take in my career, in motherhood, and in life, its on my terms. I wasn’t molder by others expectations. I was shaped by resilience, and I’m living proof that you can rise from anything and create your own path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.manelyextensions.com
- Instagram: manelyextensions and lakahairextensions
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gena-watson-san-diego-4
