Today we’d like to introduce you to D’Andria Champ.
D’Andria, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been doing hair in the state of California as a licensed cosmetologist for ten years. To be completely honest, I didn’t see this career path in my future, but I’m grateful that my life’s journey has brought me to this place. As a little girl, I was always fascinated with hair. Long, short, curly, straight – it was all beautiful to me. I would spend hours on the weekends combing my doll’s hair into different styles with all the ribbons and barrettes my mother would use on my hair. When I got into middle and high school, I would sit on the benches during lunch braiding and styling my friends’ hair. I found I had a real knack for it but I really only did it for fun, never considering it as a profession.
After high school, I found myself at a crossroads and a bit indecisive about my next steps. One afternoon, my mother suggested that I enroll in cosmetology school. I was apprehensive at first but after visiting various campuses I decided I would give it a shot. My program required completion of 1600 school hours followed by the state board exam to receive my license. I passed both the written and practical portions of the exam on my very first try which can be a challenge for some people and from that day my career as a hairstylist began. I started as an assistant in two different salons, one of which was owned by a celebrity stylist. Shortly after working there, my father who’s a barber decided to leave his corporate job to open a business for the two of us. I ended up leaving the salon where I was to partner with my father in building our own business. I was just 20 years old when we got started. I can admit there were times when I was doubtful and fearful about whether or not being a hairstylist was what I truly wanted to devote myself too. I had other hopes and dream as a kid. Doing hair was something I did as a hobby and although people told me I was really good at it, I really just wanted to help… I questioned myself, my skills and if people would continue to come to me in the years to come. So many people aspire to be entrepreneurs, but being in business for yourself is not an easy task.
While most people work 9-5 jobs, this life is 24/7. You literally have to pave your own way. You have to stay motivated and inspired or else you will quit. I can admit it took about five years even after my father and I got started for me to decide not just in my head but in my heart that I would stick with it. I tried to apply for other jobs, even attempted to go back to school and go into something else, but hair always pulled me back. I had to accept that God had given me a gift and I had a responsibility to use it. Being in this industry is fulfilling, exciting and rewarding. I enjoy being my own boss and living a life that brings my dreams to fruition. Most importantly, I help make women of all ages feel and look their very best. Be it a bride for a wedding day, a girl’s sweet sixteen, a big family vacation or a simple appointment for some R&R, I get to be apart of long-lasting memories that they will cherish forever. Being a hairstylist for me is about much more than hair. It’s about opening up a person’s eyes to see the beauty in every part of who they are. Women from all walks of life have sat in my chair. For some, that chair is a sanctuary, a place for peace, healing, and restoration. I’ve never viewed my business or career as solely a means to make money but a tool to empower, encourage and enhance every person I encounter. I’m grateful each and every day for my gift and I’m always looking for ways to use it to serve others above myself. I can truly say that there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. I’m a proud hairstylist.
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?
This journey has come with its challenges like anything else worth having success in. I’d say the most challenging would be staying relevant by keeping up with my craft. Hair is ever-evolving, and this industry is so multi-faceted. Some stylist I feel the need to compete. There is some hairstylist who can do it all and others who have a specialty. I believe one should be able to do it all, especially because styles and trends change-which sometimes may affect your money flow. I had to find my strength and use them to find my target audience and clientele.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I have training in various areas of hairstyling but when natural hair became popular again I saw a shift in my business. I really began to study textured hair and in that, I was able to find my strong suit. I consider myself a protective hair care stylist meaning I create styles that promote the highest degree of hair care and growth. I believe the key to a proper protective style is the technique of the stylist. In the past three years, I’ve developed techniques that use both hair theory and the fundamental of braiding to help my client’s hair thrive through the set of protective styling.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Social media has really been useful in finding inspiration for what I do. More professional people are open to sharing what they know and information is everywhere. I’d say Instagram is a favorite tool for research and content.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deedeemonet.com
- Phone: 323-695-8598
Image Credit:
Anya Kernes, Jacob Knopf, Natalie Faye
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