Sometimes the calling we resist the most is the one that's meant for us all along. Growing up, I watched my mom and aunts create magic with hair. Their skilled hands transformed lives one style at a time. But I was determined to forge my own path, convinced that nursing school would be my future. I thought I could escape the pull of the industry and plans that were woven into my DNA all along.
I had to realize that styling was in my blood, as an undeniable force whispered to me even as I sat in nursing lectures. By 21, I could no longer ignore what my heart had always known. Just as I finally embraced my true calling in hair artistry, life dealt me its cruelest blow—I lost my mom. The timing was devastating…yet somehow divine. Her passing, while heartbreaking, became the catalyst that cemented my purpose in this industry.
The very craft I had once resisted became my healing journey, my way of honoring her legacy. Every time I transform a client's hair, I feel my mother's spirit guiding my hands. What started as a family tradition I tried to avoid has blossomed into my life's mission through Salon PK and True + Pure Texture, where I carry forward not just my own dreams, but the artistic legacy of the strong women who shaped my childhood.
The loss of my mother became the foundation of something extraordinary. While grief could have derailed me, instead it fueled my determination to build something remarkable in her honor. I poured myself into mastering every aspect of hair artistry, and it was in the intricate art of color and cutting where I truly found my signature.
PIONEERING A TEXTURE REVOLUTION, IN LIVING COLOR
From the very beginning of my career, I've had an intricate relationship with textured hair that went far beyond the surface. It required extensive knowledge and a completely different approach, especially when it came to color. I quickly realized that the existing rules for coloring simply didn't apply to our unique textures. So, I did what any passionate artist would do—I created my own.
This journey of discovery led me to texture color innovations that would eventually become the gold standard for global brands. But what set my approach apart was my unwavering focus on unrelaxed hair. I saw the potential in natural textures long before it became a trend.
I encouraged my clients to embrace their natural hair, not for aesthetic reasons, but for the health, strength, and elasticity it offered. As they evolved to love their texture, their needs shifted towards natural textured extensions. This wasn't just about style, it was about maintaining the integrity of healthy textured hair.
In my world, cut and color were never separate entities. They danced together, creating a symphony of shape, movement, and vibrancy that was uniquely tailored to each client's natural texture. This holistic approach ushered in an entirely new culture in the salon, setting trends that would ripple through the industry.
Soon, the industry was buzzing, asking how we were achieving such incredible results with Black hair. The secret? Our hair wasn't compromised by harsh chemicals or relaxers. We were working with the natural canvas, enhancing its inherent beauty rather than fighting against it.
Remember this pic that went viral on The Cut Life and The Shade Room? That wasn't just a cut and color story—it was a texture revolution in action. It showcased the versatility, the vibrancy, and the sheer beauty of natural textured hair when treated with the right techniques and products.
Throughout my career, texture has always been the tapestry upon which I created. While we've seen changes in how texture is presented, my affinity for it and my day-to-day experience working with it has remained constant. This deep understanding and passion for textured hair became the foundation for True + Pure Texture.
TEXTURE LOVE + LEGACY
True + Pure Texture isn't just a brand—it's the culmination of years of hands-on experience, innovative techniques, and a genuine love for the diversity of our natural hair. It's about providing women everywhere with ethically sourced, high-quality hair extensions that truly honor and enhance their unique beauty. We're not just changing hairstyles; we're changing lives, one beautiful, textured strand at a time.
What makes me proudest is knowing that my mother's entrepreneurial spirit lives on in every business decision, every client transformation, and every innovative technique I develop. She didn't just give me a foundation in this industry – she gave me the blueprint for building an empire. Through my work at Salon PK, lead artist and curriculum artist for Ulta Beauty, Dyson, Amica, and Mizani to name a few, and the creation of True + Pure Texture, I'm celebrating her legacy and igniting new self-love liberation breakthroughs that would make her proud.
