ENTREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT CEO/OWNER SOPHISCURLZ BEAUTY BAR I’ve always had a natural love for the beauty industry, since a little girl, who would get in trouble from “trimming her hair” in kindergarten. My mother always said, “my child will have something to do with hair as hard as I worked to grow it, she’ll go and cut it off” LOL.
I began my cosmetology career, professionally, 11 years ago. Although, during that time, I didn’t quite know what I wanted to do in the field. I just knew that I had a strong desire to do hair, and I was in survivor mode, because at the time, the agency I worked for, was threatening to lay both my husband and I off, and we had mouths to feed. By the time I stepped foot into Wella Professionals Cosmetology school, and saw all of the amazing talent there, I knew I made the right choice. However, I had to think “what would set me apart from the rest”, as a newbie in the industry? There is so much great talent out there. Those who are great at color, cuts, commercial hair, braiding, etc. I never thought, 16 months later of night school, would land me into becoming a sole business owner 1 year later. I chose natural hair because I went natural, at the time, I was searching for ways to care for my natural hair. I figured I’d be my own trial and error. I realized too that there weren’t many salons who specialized in natural hair in Columbia, SC. So after graduating cosmetology school, I said, Natural is what I will specialize in! Many laughed at the idea because I couldn’t understand “why natural hair”? But I paid attention and saw many who were transitioning to natural for many reasons. Whether it was for health, allergies, or just wanted a break from the chemical processing. Needless to say I was successful enough to where I was able to graduate straight out of hair school and immediately begin booth renting for about a year. Shortly thereafter, I was blessed to have become the owner and CEO, of what was birthed as my nickname “Nappyologist”, Nappyology 101 Hair Studio. I was grateful to have worked with quite a number of highly talented stylists that worked inside of my salon, and at least 4 of them are now successful business owners today! In 2017, I renamed my business SophistaCurlz Beauty Bar. I felt like it was time to broaden my horizon with the world of curls! I now have my own product line and will soon launch my daughter’s line as well. I enjoy being able to work with people and building long lasting relationships, confidence, and educating my clients and aspiring natural hair stylists on how to care for their natural hair. Being an entrepreneur as a beauty professional can be challenging, competitive, and rewarding. My greatest joy is watching my clients walk out of my chair with an extra pep in their step. Hair is not the only thing I do, I do also have another full time career, but I have my most important career of my life that I’m preparing for, my fulltime ministry.
Website
www.sophistacurlzbeautybar.com
To Book A Hair Appointment www.solasalonstudios.com/salon-professional/ chasity-shipman1 www.styleseat.com/m/v/chasitythenappyologist
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