Today we’d like to introduce you to Rabiah Ahmad.
Rabiah, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My name is Rabiah Ahmad. I have always been a lover of the arts. My inspiration comes from the world around me and I can thank my artist mother for that. I felt I was different, unusual, and unique, but I knew I was an ARTIST. At a young age, she exposed me to traveling, different walks of life and their cultures so I was very involved with learning about different herbs and their healing properties that they provided for the body. Finances were tight so I was not always able to afford to get my hair done regularly. So when I became of age I started experimenting on my hair braiding but with extensions.
I officially started branching out to do hair when I went on my internship with Walt Disney World parks and resorts. I still remember my first client, it was one of my good friends by the name of Andrea Wilder she was always down for me doing something to her hair or teaching me things about hair. When I got back home I dove headfirst into doing box braids and rope twist. I loved doing it so much I would stay up for 48 working. I also met some amazing people along the way that helped boost my notoriety.
I traveled a bit before I finally settle back down in Miami and some years later I decided it was time for me to go to beauty school. I received my certification in cosmetology by 2015 and thought it was time to establish something more. I began working at home then I transitioned to salons. I came up with the name “House of Kiyomi”, Kiyomi meaning “pure beauty”, because I wanted each interaction with my clients to be comfortable while being beautified. I also came up with the drip project to give four young ladies a chance to get there hair done in some funky style or color with a photoshoot as well. It was to help women feel appreciated and beautiful. I went through so many ups and downs but I was able to get through everything with a chip on my shoulder. I got to where I am today by not giving up and not letting things get in my way. Everything I said I would do I did, if not more.
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?
It has not been a smooth road, as I mentioned before I have had some financial instability. I made a couple of mistakes young that I had to fix. I have faced being broke many times before I started getting the hang of my money, and how to use it to my advantage. I have lost friends, business associates, even clientele at one point. Because I had no examples around me of business etiquette or how to run one, so I had to learn a lot on my own. But I’m glad it happened because I always say “you have to be melted, to be molded”
One of the biggest struggles I had was cleaning my credit and being more aware of my finances. My best advice to anyone is if you need help ask because sometimes you need that extra hand or push. Also, the right mentorship is crucial.
Please tell us about your business.
At the moment the House of Kiyomi is a traveling hair stylist business. My main goal as a cosmetologist is to not only do hair but educate women on natural remedies for there hair. there are a lot of chemicals that go into hair products that can harm a women’s biology of her body. I believe ”if you can eat it, Don’t use it”. I specialize in protective styles, natural hair care, and I’m well known for my box braids. I recently found a love for editorial and fashion hairstyling. The freedom to be creative with braids or hair period intrigued me.
So I started doing hair for some friends and associates of mine that were in those industries. I currently work with Suzi Analogue an artist/producer/songwriter/ and creator of Never Normal records, and I worked with the phenomenal young ladies of the Goddess collective seven on the “Crowned and Glory” Series as well. When I finally saw my name in a Cultured Magazine article as a hairstylist for an Artist and working with the Chromat x Reebok collaboration for there 2019. ”Sole Fury” shoe campaign during Miami Swim Week, that was some of my proudest moments because I finally acknowledge my worth and I Proved to myself that your circumstances can’t take away from your God-given talents.
I think what sets me apart from a lot of people in my industry is that I’m a holistic creative. I use my love of nature and my open view of the world as a way to influence the way I do hair and connect with my clients.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I see myself one day working on a project with Harpers Bazaar magazine or for the Met gala. I truly see endless possibilities, I want to build my Drip Project into something that will not only give back to the women in my community but also educate them about holistic ways to take care of there hair but most importantly themselves. I’m going to one day own my all-natural hair and body product line too. I’m going to leave my mark in Miami, the place that helped give life to me being who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 3053451651
- Email: khclients9@gmail.com
- Instagram: @kiyomihouse
- Facebook: Facebook.com/houseofkiyomi
- Twitter: @kiyomihouse
Image Credit:
@shootmejade @GabrielaGabrielaa @heybeardedguy @haiiileen @enhancedbytativ @nodaysoff @eddiefitnessofficial @suzianalog @cromat @reebok @goddesscollective7
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