TM
March/April 2016
“I want the same respect that male barbers get.” Ruth Torres
“I consider myself to be ahead of the game.” Derita Strong
“I hate when people say that doing hair isn’t a job.” Halye Sinclair
“People put trust in their stylist the same way they put trust in their doctor.” Catherine Franklin, MA
R: I A H C E H T D FROM BEHIN ‘THE HAIR INDUSTRY ’ CHOPPED & SCREWED
“Everybody can’t be selfemployed.” Denisha Walker
PL
“I shouldn't have to hold my head down because of where I come from.” Shakeena Chambers
“I was called a sell-out for relocating my business. It was hurtful because I’m a leader in my community.” Dr. Twanda Hamilton
PLUS: PRE-TEEN SINGER ALEXIS BELL REACHES HEARTS!
LETTER -FROM THE- EDITOR I
t’s me again! This issue you’re about to read, FROM BEHIND THE CHAIR:
THE HAIR INDUSTRY CHOPPED & SCREWED, is one that I’ve wanted to do for so long!
Ti’Juana Hardwell
So often, we sit in a salon/barber chair and we tell our stylists/barbers how we want to look when we leave. We tell them how our day has been, what’s going good and bad in our lives —and about the rush we’re in to get somewhere. For some, their stylist is also their therapist, friend, and confidante. But how often do we give a listening ear back?! Do we know the journey our hair professionals took just to be in a position to serve us?!
Chopped & Screwed PG. 2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR PG. 3 PHOTO CREDIT PG. 4 SEEN & HEARD: RED CARPET RECAP OF WICHITA’S PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
PG. 6 ALEXIS BELL REACHES
In this issue we will look at the stories of those standing behind the chair. Each of these ladies were open with me about what led them into their career and the challenges that face them day in and day out. They also shared about their joy in keeping customers happy and the goals they are striving to achieve. I thank all of the stylists for being so open in their interviews with me. I assure you, this issue is about more than HAIR. It’s about independent, strong, ambitious and determined entrepreneurial women!
HEARTS
PG. 7 FROM BEHIND THE CHAIR: THE HAIR INDUSTRY CHOPPED & SCREWED
PG. 9 HALYE SINCLAIR PG. 10 CATHERINE FRANKLIN PG. 11 RUTH TORRES PG. 12 DENISHA WALKER PG. 13 SHAKEENA CHAMBERS PG. 14 DERITA STRONG PG. 15 TWANDA HAMILTON
Let your hair down. Take your wig off if you want! Some of you may be sitting under the hair dryer right now reading this. I’ve got you! Slow down and enjoy—for this is the ‘Chopped & Screwed’ edition of Mamarazzi!
Read Mamarazzi online at ‘issuu.com/mamarazzient’
Bray Films Photography Mamarazzi would like to credit and thank Bray Films Photography for capturing the photo images included in From Behind the Chair: The Hair Industry Chopped & Screwed.
With Gratitude,
Mamarazzi
Seen & Heard On March 11, POWER POINT PHOTOGRAPHY hosted Wichita’s People’s Choice Award. Mamarazzi was present on the red carpet. Take a look at a few of the folks who stopped by to chat. Oh, and Mamarazzi took home an award for excellence! Sweeeet! —Photos by Power Point
(Far left) Mamarazzi poses with Dee-Jay Mack and promoter, Kwame “Kingstun” Rowe after accepting a trophy for excellence. (Above) Mamarazzi chats with Kandie Wakefield of JCD Car Club which was nominated and won for best car club in Wichita.
(Left to right) Mamarazzi is caught off guard by DJ Detroit who MC’d the event. June Washington of JCD Car Club stops by. Model Aianza Noir shared with Mamarazzi that her sister picked out her outfit for the night.
Private Stylist Book TODAY!!!! 316.390.1280
Young Star, Big Heart
While most kids her age are probably playing Mindcraft and making shopping mall plans, 11-yearold independent singer Alexis Bell is busy building a fan base. In what’s left of her free time, she performs at events around town and spreads love through charity efforts. At only age 6 Alexis began singing in her grandmother’s church. Her parents watched as her singing evolve and encouraged it. As she grew older her dad, also an aspiring musician began recording her vocals in their in-home studio. “I wasn’t really using the studio so we just decided to dedicate it to her pursuing music,” said Decarlo Bell, Alexis’ dad. Alexis developed a knack for creating her own original music although she looks to popular artists like Ariana Grande, Zendaya, Drake, Nicki Minaj and Cold Play for inspiration. Her most interesting artist admiration goes to Fetty Wap who she says “makes catchy songs.” The material Alexis sings about is age-appropriate—true to where she is within her pre-adolescent years. Recently she created a song about emojis. “I wrote a song about emojis because it’s trending,” Alexis said. “I think about what kids my age love and I write about that.” She also enjoys writing covers for songs by artists like Adele and Justin Bieber. At the height of the song’s success, Alexis remade the song “Hello.” She also rewrote Bieber’s hit single “Love Yourself.”
In her “Love Yourself” remake she changes Bieber’s “My mama don’t like you/And she likes everyone” lyrics to “My daddy don’t like you/And he likes everyone.” Alexis’ dad and mom were both reluctant to give her access to social media. They worried about her getting off-track and into boys. Just three months ago, they caved in and allowed her to initiate a Facebook account. Alexis was glad they changed their minds. “I want my parents to trust me,” Alexis says. “I don’t worry about boys.” Her parents admit to monitoring her Facebook interaction but say Alexis is a great student and role model. They are sure she will do the right thing. “We trust Alexis,” says mom, Chavella Bell. “She makes very responsible decisions for being her age and she can definitely be a role model to other kids.” Alexis’ parents believe that being able to connect with fans online will better enable her to generate a buzz. Her “Love Yourself” cover has garnered almost 6,000 views on YouTube. Alexis’ love for people has been spread through a campaign she calls “Reach the Heart.” She volunteers at nursing homes (sings to senior residents), feeds the homeless, gives sweet treats to firefighters, and hands out free popsicles to kids playing at the park on hot days. “It’s important that people know that someone cares about them,” Alexis says. “Firefighters save lives and don’t know if they’re going to make it home, so why not take time to show them how important they are?” In mid-March, this girl with the big heart was invited for an interview on local radio station Q92. Radio personality Carla Ayala found out about the young songbird through a Facebook post and was connected with Alexis’ mother. When Alexis visited the station, she was asked to sing on the spot! Ayala, who also has a singing background, was impressed.
“She’s so full of energy and a refreshing ray of light,” Ayala says. “She’s fearless; and when you’re confident it allows you to sing so effortlessly on the spot.” Ayala says she sees great things coming for Alexis. Alexis acknowledges that not everyone may become a fan on her journey to stardom, but says her parents’ support and belief in her motivates her to keep striving. She and dad may team up to do a musical cover together. We’ll all just have to wait on that! For more about Alexis, visit AlexisMusic.com
Alexis takes a photo with Ayala from radio station 92.3.
F
ROM
B
EHIND
T C HE
HAIR:
Y R T S U D N I R I A H E TH
Chopped &
Screwed
Carla Ayala
HALYE SINCLAIR T
his industry will either make or break you. Halye Sinclair vividly recalls it MAKING her! “The motor blew on my car,” says Sinclair, who was only a few years into her profession. “I had to come up with something quick.” She needed $2,000 dollars to replace her car motor. Still new in her field, she posted the very best photo of a hairstyle she had done. “I tagged everybody on Facebook,” Sinclair tells it. “The photo went viral.” Sinclair promoted haircoloring services for just $50. That was a savings of between $100-$200 dollars from industry -standard pricing. “I got my Cadillac two weeks later,” she says. The photo’s success did more than just put her back into a running vehicle. It also established her brand, earned her new clientele, and gave her the leverage to increase future prices. “I started going up in my prices but my clients remained loyal and never questioned it,” Sinclair said. “I took it up to a price that I was comfortable with.” Prior to establishing herself as a viable color specialist in the Wichita area, Sinclair was an aspiring hair professional struggling to find her footing. She attended Xenon’s International Hair of Schooling and became pregnant with her son. Subsequently, she dropped out. She then enrolled at B Street hair school and it ended in the same fate. She was then mother to two young children. “My mom said, ‘Look. I’ll take care of the kids for you so you can go to school and get it done,’” Sinclair said. “My mom did everything for my kids and for me.” Sinclair’s mom spent a full year taking on the primary responsibilities of her children so that she could
complete her schooling at Paul Mitchell. She successfully passed the exam and was able to achieve her license. “I credit my mom for helping me get it done,” Sinclair says. “She did it all for me and that meant a lot.” In 2009 Sinclair worked at Salon Blu LLC. in Andover. Later, she styled hair at Jewel’s Hair Salon on E. 13th St. and at O.G.’s where the owner allowed her to utilize the shop without paying booth rent. He simply asked for her to help advertise the shop. About six months ago, Sinclair began shopping for salon decorations. She was excited about her own salon spot inside of Sola Salon Studios located at 11414 E. Central in Wichita, Kan. It was a big goal she had for herself and it was finally in sight. But only four days before the
grand opening her mother, Gina Sinclair, died. “It was really crazy,” says Sinclair. “If not for her, I wouldn’t have gotten through school—and she wasn’t even able to see me in my own salon.” Several of her friends empathized with her and tried comforting her by suggesting she postpone her salon-opening. But Sinclair went on in spite of the tragedy. “I know she would have wanted me to,” Sinclair says. “She was my number one fan and supporter.” A big picture of her mother hangs on the wall of her salon. For Sinclair, it’s a constant reminder that she wouldn’t be there without her.
Since her mom’s passing, she has grown closer with her dad. He has assumed a larger role in her life and the lives of her kids, ages 9 and 10. Recently Sinclair celebrated moving into a larger home than she previously shared with her children. Although not a homeowner just yet, this “practice-home” is preparing her for what it takes to manage a house when she becomes one. Owning a house is yet another goal of hers. “My dad told me how proud he was of me,” Sinclair says. “He says that he and my mom never lived in a house so nice and he was glad I was able to accomplish it on my own.” It has been difficult grieving the loss of her mother. But the hair professional doesn’t stay idle. She keeps a busy schedule at the salon. “I’ve established myself so well,” Sinclair says, attributing her Facebook postings for widespread advertisement. “But I catch myself overbooking and scheduling 12 hour days.” She says she pulls back to make sure there’s a good balance of time spent between work and home. “One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone says doing hair isn’t a job,” admits Sinclair. “We stand on our feet for hours on out and hardly have time to eat—and we do it to take care of our families.” The color guru won’t try to convince anyone that perfect hair coloring is accomplished in just one sitting. “It’s like crayon to paper,” Sinclair says. “It’s a process and you have to think about what color you have and what color you’re trying to get to.” But Hairstyles by Halye is not to be underestimated. All of the goals Sinclair puts her mind to doing, become within grasp. She honors her mother by remaining focused and successful in her career. ##
CATHERINE FRANKLIN
D
oing hair has been a family affair for Catherine Franklin since she could remember. Growing up, she spent a lot of time in her family’s hair shop. Her aunt, Peggy Franklin, owned “Sparkles” located in northeast Wichita. “My aunt did hair and my mom would do nails in the shop,” recalls Franklin. “And I would look at them and think I could do it, so I’d try to replicate it and I could.” Franklin’s maternal grandmother was also a hair professional. The blessing of doing hair didn’t fall far from the tree. Many of her cousins also style hair. “If I see it and I like it I can usually figure it out—I’m very handsy,” says Franklin, who operates a home-based salon and offers make-up as well. Franklin knew the hair industry would be a great trade to pursue but she also saw value in obtaining a college degree. “In the African American society, we’re told to go to school and get an education,” Franklin says. “So I didn’t think that just doing hair was enough.” She achieved her Masters degree in gerontology, the study of the psychological, cognitive and biological aspects of aging. Franklin’s Facebook name also carries her MA certification. “It’s important for me to put ‘MA’ at the end of my name because I earned that,” Franklin says in regards to her degree. “I’ll always have it.” Franklin appreciates the perks of selfemployment. She says compensation for doing hair has provided a source of instant gratification and fast-cash for the mom of three. “Business is great for me,” Franklin says. “I work when I want and have a flexible schedule that allows me to run the kids around
when I need to and have cooked meals for them when they get home from school.” Franklin practices effective time management and schedules only a select-clientele. Most of the services she offers are rendered in less than two hours. “I’m a very picky beautician,” Franklin admits. “I like to offer services that I’m efficient in and don’t take long for the client or myself.” She says clients seeking something more, are referred to other hair professionals. Franklin jokingly says her most difficult client is none other than big sister, Tamara Allen. Allen, a published author and poet, lives in the Dallas area. She visits Wichita often and performs spoken word poetry. “She’s truly something else,” Franklin says. “It can be overwhelming; maintaining family.” “We bond over hair and when we get together, we talk and talk and talk,” Franklin says about her family. For that reason, Franklin avoids scheduling relatives and clients at the same time. Her cousins and sister often pressure her to come along for a night out on the town. “They want me to join them on every little adventure,” Franklin says. “But sometimes, after doing hair all day and getting them right, I’m too exhausted.” Franklin enjoys styling her clients and uses the opportunity to educate them about hair care and protective styling. She says consultations are very important but sometimes overlooked in the hair industry. “People put trust in their stylist the same way they put trust in their doctor,” Franklin says. “It’s our job as professionals to explain what they don’t understand.” “We can’t just do their hair and not teach them how to maintain the weave we install or their own hair when we style it,” Franklin says. Franklin aspires to add to her repertoire by varying the services she will offer to clients. Between serving clients, she watches YouTube make-up tutorials. One of her favorites to follow is the Rosh Posh channel. “I have so much more to offer than [just] a hairdo,” Franklin says. “I’m talented enough to do whatever I put my mind to doing, so who knows what I’ll do next?”##
Catherine’s daughters volunteered to let mom paint their faces.
RUTH TORRES R
uth Torres is a jack of all trades motivated by her passion for varying hobbies. Before becoming a barber, she studied mass communications in college and dabbled in radio production, photography and video. Torres’ mother has supported her in her pursuit to try new things since she was a little girl. “I didn’t realize how big it was that I had a mom who supported me and put it in my head that I could do anything,” says Torres, age 24. “I now appreciate that whatever I wanted to do, I had her support.” Torres says her mother has strong moral values—which have influenced how she carries herself. “I always try to be mindful of that,” Torres says. “I don’t get involved in anything that disrespects her or [me].” Over the last couple of years Torres has focused immensely on barbering which she labels an art form. She first became interested in the craft as a grade school student, at that time Though it’d be easy for her to use her good looks and living in the Texas area. charm to make an impression, it’s not the route “Their names were Antonio and Angelo and Torres is taking. She has a “no dating” rule to they would come to school with different design set boundaries that reinforce a level of respect [cuts] every other week,” says Torres, describing between her and her clients, whom are mostly twin brothers who wore many cut designs men. including a Mickey Mouse one. “I was amazed at The only female barber in the shop, how you could put art into Torres wants the same respect as somebody’s hair and the idea her male colleagues. stuck with me.” “I don’t feel that because I’m a She entered barber woman that I have to dress sexy,” school in August 2014. Torres says. “And just because I’m “At first I was scared to a woman doesn’t mean I have to hold the clippers,” Torres be flirtatious or tolerate flirtation in admits. “I didn’t even know [the workplace].” what guards were.” Even the idea that male clients are Torres studied the craft still reluctant to sit in her chair and took constructive infuriates her. criticism seriously. After “I don’t like when they say, ‘I’ll let graduating in June of last you do my hair,’” Torres says. “I year, she was invited to work get it—female barbers are not the at Midwest Blends norm but I wouldn’t be in a shop barbershop located at 650 N. if I didn’t know what I was doing.” Carriage Pkwy. Torres says She usually wins them over if the shop owner, Elbert Mack given a chance. But Torres III, believed she had what it understands there is still work to took. be done in order to build her “He took a chance just name and reputation as a by bringing in a female barber—and a female barber at barber,” Torres said. “And I’m that. grateful for that.” “I let my work do the talking,” she Most days Torres wears Ruth poses with mom after says. jeans and a nice shirt to work Her MWB crew has given her for more comfortable attire— her college graduation. much needed advice. forgoing heels and skirts. “They tell me to stay behind the chair whether I have clients or not,” says Torres whose thin schedule of appointments in the Ruth Torres made Wichita worldbeginning kept her at home. “They told me famous on World Star Hip Hop! In 2013, that walk-ins add up and can possibly mean a Torres was preparing to video record a new customer who will keep coming back.” concert event at Club Rodeo in Wichita. She “They were right—walk-ins have helped followed closely behind rap act Kirko Bangz, me build by clientele,” said Torres. a Warner Bros. Recording artist who was Torres hopes for a surge in the number of there to perform a few songs including his women taking an interest in barbering as a hit single entitled, “Drank in My Cup.” profession. She feels a big piece of achieving that is changing how careers are seen as being gender and Hostile words were exchanged between racially specific. It’s likely she will impact that in her Kirko and his entourage and some men new volunteer role as troop leader for Girl Scouts of within the crowd. A fight ensued and Torres’ KS Heartland where she will mentor grade school video captured it all. The footage was students. submitted to World Star Hip Hop by Tevin “If you want to do something, go towards it,” Jacques, Torres’ friend and owner of Not Torres advises. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you Human clothing apparel. To date, the can’t.” ##
TIDBIT:
original video has more than a million views. WSHH cut a check for the rights to the
Flawless
W
fashion
The boutique features posh clothing, shoes, accessories and more. Walker was deliberate about offering clothes for plus-sized women as well. “I feel like I serve everyone so I didn’t want to leave anyone out,” she explains. “I try to bring some different styles into the shop for people to wear out and about.” Hayes, who opts for a honey-blonde short cut, Hayes says she understands times when admires how young and fiery her beautician Walker takes a little longer to is. return a phone call about “She’s a dreamer,” Hayes said. available appointment times. Walker says it was her 9-year-old daughter “I think customers have who motivated her to take the leap of faith to remember that [stylists] to build a boutique brand. The young have a life too,” Hayes insists. fashionista enjoys shopping with mom and “They have other clients and pairing clothes together. She wants to have other responsibilities just like a shop, like mom, but one that features kid us.” clothing. Walker relishes in the Walker plans to help fulfill her daughter’s freedom of being selfgoal, as she succeeds in achieving some of employed and says she her own. doesn’t take it for granted. In the next few semesters Walker will “It’s a blessing to be self graduate with a degree in the study of -employed,” says Walker, Criminal Justice. mother of two. “I get to make “My degree is something that I started [but] my own schedule and be didn’t finish right away,” Walker says. “I flexible enough for the kids.” open to s want hter daug went back to finish and show my kids how Denisha’s She contends that selfimportant it is to complete what you start.” employment is not for a children’s clothing store. Walker plans to acquire enough space to everyone and it requires selfoperate both of her Flawless ventures under motivation, consistency and one roof. patience. Although the hair industry itself can be a In the last year, Walker expanded her competitive industry, she instead focuses on personal business venture to a boutique store she named growth. “Flawless Boutique.” The location is across the “What God has for me is for me,” Walker says. ## street from her salon.
DENISHA WALKER
hen she was younger, she would comb her Barbie Doll’s hair like most girls do. She enjoyed giving them minimakeovers from head to toe. In middle and high school Denisha Walker enjoyed styling hair for her friends. She realized she was interested in pursuing a career within the hair field. After attending hair school and achieving her industry license, she worked in a couple of Wichita salons before venturing out on her own. “I realized I didn’t want to work for anybody else,” Walker said. “I wanted to try things my own way.” Tammie Hayes, first lady of New Life Church, has been a client to Walker for more than five years. She visits her about every two weeks at Flawless Beauty Salon on E. Central in Wichita, Kan. “She does well with balancing her clients and getting you in when she can,” Hayes says. According to Walker, the hair industry is just as much about providing quality customer service as it is about giving a hairdo to a client. “You want to make sure that you’re getting back to people when they call or message you about an appointment,” Walker says. “And you always want to keep a positive attitude—no matter what.”
Boutique
Y
ou may have noticed the presence of OMG
Hair Studio signage and even billboard promotion in Wichita or between the Maize and Derby area. The advertisement features a tagline proclaiming that the hair studio is “Home of the $50 Sew-Ins.” It’s the brainchild of Shakeena Chambers and her husband, James Chambers. OMG Hair Studio, a business centered on weaving, offers $50 sew-in installations. It’s the second business venture for Chambers, who has owned and operated Salon 316 hair salon for more than 10 years. “One day [my husband] was like, let’s go spend some money on some hair,” Chambers recalls. “He saw something online about a $50 sew-in salon and told me I should try it.” She says they invested thousands of dollars to bring in human hair from a vendor. Chambers was already consumed with 14-16 hour days at Salon 316. Taking on more meant finding the energy to make it succeed. “My husband told me, you cannot work behind this chair as hard as you do,” Chambers says. “You have to begin making more money with fewer hours—and this is the way.” The Chambers carefully planned what the new shop would look like, how it’d operate and how they’d find energetic stylists to carry the work load of a potentially booming business. Chambers took a leap. After just five successful months in business near, both are glad about the decision. “All of the stylists at OMG are scheduled for weeks on out,” Chambers says. “Business is good and right now, I’m just looking for new stylists to meet the demand.” Clients purchase bundles of virgin hair at OMG (located on Central and Edgemoor) and have it installed there in the studio. The savings on the installation itself ranges between $100 and $200 dollars. Chambers says stylists at OMG are making lots of money; reaping the rewards of effective advertisement from the start-up of the business. She says staff is encouraged to use social media to promote appointment opening and nothing does it quite like pictures. Chambers says clients want “the after-photo!” “They want to come in and get their hair done The ladies of OMG show support at Shakeena’s toiletry drive and birthday celebration. and snap a photo of it afterwards—so they can post it on Facebook,” Chambers says. Although online reviews for OMG Hair Studios to properly care for the virgin hair bundles. The hair Chambers maintains a professional rapport with her beam with a 4.8 star-rating, Chambers admits not requires use of protective styling and consideration when staff, often drawing the line between good work chemistry every customer has been satisfied. Well, one in using tools with heat. She felt the customer was using and friendship. OMG stylists receive training at the studio particular. improper product on the every other Monday in order to improve skill set. Chambers hair. Chambers primarily works at OMG Hair Studios recently experienced Rather than go back and although she still oversees Salon 316. She leaves it to stylist a customer who forth with mudslinging, she Antwynette Williams, who has a few years under her belt, to complained about invited the customer to manage the customers coming in and out. the quality of hair return. The customer agreed Chambers appreciates her loyal clients but she purchased from and Chambers says she was acknowledges she’s not always well-received by others in her OMG. The client also able to revitalize the field or in the city’s social scene. Her tough upbringing received a sew-in condition of the hair. produced a “go-getter” with an even tougher bite. installation, one she Her stylists, who also care “I have a dominant personality and some people raved about. But she passionately about the mistake that for me being rude,” Chambers explained. made public brand’s public reputation, Throughout her childhood, her parents battled allegations that the were advised to refrain from addiction. Not having the best growing up, it inspired her to Shakeena and family capture this moment at her grandhair was “nappy.” commenting about the conquer goals she set for herself. She affirms being levelopening for OMG. The unhappy incident. headed but also very driven. customer took to “I reminded them that what “I come from nothing—but why do I have to wear that Facebook to express they do and how they act represents me and OMG as a on me?” Chambers asks. “What’s wrong with wanting more in her dismay and even tagged Chambers several times brand,” Chambers says. “How I handled that situation says life and working hard for it?” with a demand for a refund. Chambers attempted to a lot about my integrity and my character and I expect the In December of last year, Chambers celebrated her consult with her privately about the matter but same from them.” birthday at the Oeno Wine Bar in downtown Wichita. She instead, received threats, profanity and insults. The young entrepreneur says she stands by the asked everyone to bring toiletry items like toothpaste, “She was the first person that I heard about, vendor, having used them for more than a year, beginning deodorant and feminine hygiene products. who had an issue with OMG hair,” says Chambers, in her previous salon. Chambers wanted to donate the items to an agency who opted to handle the situation with a level of “I’m not going to endorse hair that I don’t believe serving at-risk teen girls. On average, 30 girls are in the professionalism. in,” Chambers says. “I made it a learning experience for program at a time. An employee, who was once involved in Other OMG clients chimed in on the post by myself and my stylists.” the program, brought the cause to her attention. sharing positive experiences. Chambers says the incident was a case of a customer not knowing how
Shakeena Chambers
(CHAMBERS) CONTINUED ON PG. 14
DERITA STRONG For some, they’ve known what they’ve wanted
to do since they were children. This is true for Derita Strong. Before she was a teen, she began doing hair for family and then for neighbors out of her mom’s home. Word spread about her knack for doing hair and she was in business. Strong was the oldest of her mother’s eight children. They grew up in the crack era where drugs impacted so many families including hers. She inherited the hustler mentality that the culture breeds, but wanted as far away from it as possible. She focused on the pursuit of a better life with a legit business. “I always envisioned a Victorian-styled house where I would operate different services,” Strong says. “I wanted something upscale with everything you can think of like a massage room.” Strong says the husband of one of her clients jokingly called her business “lil’ House of Beauty.” She says the name stuck. After high school graduation, Strong went on to earn her cosmetology license. Strong worked at several salons including Chocolate City, Queens, Delice LaRae Beauty Salon and Tangles Unlimited. She soaked up knowledge from more experienced stylists like Bryant Rhone, Connie Brown (both from Delice LaRae) and also Twanda Hamilton (Tangles Unlimited). Hamilton has been in the industry for more than 30 years. “I consider Twanda to be a mentor,” Strong says. “I’ve always admired how she runs her business and how she takes people under her wings and teaches them.” Hamilton says she had to give Strong some tough love—letting her go a couple of times for issues with punctuality and failure to show up for work. But she also admits that Strong was such a talented stylist that she rehired her to come back, at least twice. “I was going through a tough time,” Strong says, looking back on that experience. “I already had my daughter and was pregnant with my son at the time.” “It just wasn’t working out for me,” Strong said.
Strong didn’t have much of a support system and found it especially difficult to find reliable child care. Her family life was in shambles and it weighed on her. But she didn’t harbor any illwill for her mentor. “If you have kids while in this industry, it makes it that much harder,” Strong says. “When
you’re so young and starting in on a career, you have to have time for goal-setting.” “I didn’t allow myself time to do the proper goal-setting because of all the other things I was taking on,” she explained. Things turned around for her and she was able to refocus. Deeprooted in her faith in God, she persevered. In her first year as a salon owner, she grossed more than $100,000 in business. She was only 27-years-old. Strong, now licensed in Trichology (medical and cosmetic practice of the hair and scalp) and hair replacement, is excited about the new direction of her business. She is slowly transitioning to serve just a selective group of clients who she will provide more services for through makeup, wardrobe styling, and pampering to make them feel “feel like celebrities.” Strong’s big personality thrives on the stages set for hair show competitions. Whether she’s dropping into the splits or singing a HarlemRenaissance inspired solo, she comes to bring it. “I’m not scared to express myself with my artistry,” says Strong who is heavy-influenced by Detroit hair trends. “This is definitely an art form for me.” Strong says she is disappointed there aren’t more opportunities for friendly competition amongst fellow hair professionals. “Back in the day, when there was a hair show, everybody attended,” Strong says. “But now, you can hardly get anyone to sign up to compete against one another.” Strong feels competitions keep the art form alive and provide a stage for demonstrations. But she vividly recalls one of the last big hair show competitions to happen in the city, going completely wrong.
...CONTINUED FROM PG. 13 (CHAMBERS)
She says that Queens Hair Salon (no longer operating) hosted the show at the Cotillion event venue. There was competition from out of town and of course, supporters from all over. Strong says a great consensus of those in attendance felt that Wichita’s Joe Atkins should have taken the winner’s prize. Joe is known for his onstage persona which includes dancing and wig-snatching. “There were judges and when they announced the winner, all hell broke loose,” Strong says. Bottles went flying and gunshots rang out, making it one of the last hair shows to take place. Strong, who has competed nationally and been trained by award-winning stylists, hopes “hair entertainment” can return to the city. “There’s an untapped market right here,” Strong says. “I feel like I’m ahead of the game and I’m just getting started.”## The support from friends and clients, who answered her call to action, enabled her to collect more than 80 bags altogether. Remaining supplies were distributed at the Lord’s Diner, which feeds the homeless and impoverished adult and child population. She says her heart was in the right place in doing the toiletry drive. Things are on the mend for Chambers. She credits her mother, now active in church ministry, with motivating her to achieve her college education. When Chambers was set on going to hair school, her mother felt she should re-shift her focus. She says obtaining her college education taught her management skills which she now uses for the success of her businesses. In 2010, while already licensed in hair, she earned her Bachelor degree having completed studies in sociology and economics from Wichita State University. Chambers is dedicated to reaching new heights in both her career and personal life. “I don’t know what’s next for me,” Chamber says. “But we’ll see.”##
As a student Hamilton received more awards than could fill a wall. She was often awarded for having the best haircuts and the most customer referrals. Upon completion of the program, she was able to find work in a salon. She says her experience as a booth renter under the salon’s owner taught her pivotal lessons that would shape her throughout her own career. “She was never really on time,” Hamilton recalls. “That would make customers mad so I said I would make it a point to be punctual and to honor appointment times.” Hamilton realized in order to run a successful salon she would have to lead by example and set high standards for her staff. “I asked that they be on time, have clean equipment and tools, and go to at least two hair shows a year,” Hamilton said. “I wanted them to get out there, to learn and to appreciate the craft.” A few years ago, Hamilton attended a business seminar. She also took advantage of a one-on-one business evaluation from the experts leading the seminar. “They told me, ‘It’s time for you to upgrade,’” Hamilton says. “They looked at my earnings and we talked about my goals and asked me what was holding me back.” Hamilton admits that the environment of her salon changed and became a dreadful place to go.stShe shared space on E. 21 St. with barbers and noticed a decline in the number of customers coming into her shop. With the advice she had been armed with, Hamilton considered the relocation. She very quickly fell in love with the ambiance of an up-scale suite in the Teradyne Country Club located in Andover, KS, about 10 miles away from her Wichita salon. She was hesitant to leave the community but felt compelled to give her clientele a nicer place to go for hair pampering. Hamilton weighed the pros and cons and the relocation won. But the move was bitter-sweet. “I was called a ‘sell-out,’” Hamilton says. “It was hurtful because I’m a leader in my community.” Her heart is rooted within the community, often giving away free hair styles to support families sending their kids going back-to-school, hosting the Cans4Cuts initiative at her salon, and a lengthy list of other efforts. “People forget about the good things you’ve done for the community,” Hamilton says. “But I’m still a part of the Wichita community.”
TWANDA HAMILTON F
ew stylists can say they have lasted in the Wichita hair industry for more than 30 years. Being a veteran isn’t just about the time you last, however. Dr. Twanda Hamilton says it’s also about the integrity you keep along the way. For more than three decades, the owner of Tangles Unlimited has taken pride in customer satisfaction, healthy hair and pampering her clients. She has mentored several stylists and provided countless employment opportunities through her salon. “I’ve seen the beginning of so many careers,” Hamilton says proudly. “I wanted every stylist who worked under me to learn from me and to have the knowledge to be successful wherever they go.” Hamilton got her own start in Topeka, KS. Around age 10, she and friends would braid hair for the people they knew. She looked up to a friend’s mom she called “Ms. Jamerson.” She owned a home-based salon. “She always looked professional, even though she was doing hair in her home,” Hamilton recalls. “I just admired how she treated her clients and how she carried herself.” After graduating high school, she set her goals on attending hair school to become a licensed hair professional. In the early 80’s she relocated to Wichita to attend the Kansas School of Hair Styling on east Douglas (now defunct). “You had to be 18 [years-old] to enroll in the school but I was only 17,” says Hamilton whose 18th birthday was three months away. “But they saw how serious I was and allowed me to start anyway.”
Many of her clients followed her to the new location. Some decided it was too far to travel. The relocation did increase the diversification of her clientele to include members of the predominantly White community. The area has few black-owned businesses and Hamilton is one of two African American salons to occupy the country club. Her salon is on the third floor inside of the county club. Customers coming for appointments can utilize a valet service and pass by a restaurant bar on the main floor on their way up. Hamilton wants clients to enjoy their visit to the salon as much as possible but also wants them to be mindful of the shared space with other prominent businesses—in terms of the noise levels when entering the space before arriving to their appointments. She says clients have enjoyed the space, often ordering food or wine while waiting. The waitress staff delivers orders to her suite making it even more convenient for her customers. Hamilton and her husband of 22 years are enjoying more quality time together in her veteran years as a salon owner. She balances her time more, picking family time over maxing out her work week. This was a practice she wishes she’d learned sooner when her children were young and active in sports. “I used to focus so much on making money that sometimes I would choose work over going to a game—thinking there will be another game I can go to,” Hamilton admits. “But then you realize that there might not be another game.” Hamilton carefully schedules her appointment book, making the estimated time of arrival back home more predictable. “If you’ve been in this industry for more than 10 years, you should have a different talk and walk about yourself,” Hamilton says. Hamilton also says she hopes the industry goes back to the basics of practicing and teaching healthy hair care and protective styling techniques like using old-fashioned rollers. She feels those practices will restore the value of growing natural hair and avoiding damage to hair and scalp. The veteran says she practices what she teaches.##