Today we’d like to introduce you to Kemyana Jones-Bey.
Kemyana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a small-town girl that grew up close to New Orleans, Louisiana in a little town called Franklin.
I grew up an only child, as a result I had a lot of time spent alone. I knew from a young age that I had to create my own way. I knew from little the world that we lived in and the cards that we were dealt did not necessarily match up. I knew that I had to set myself apart. At such a young age, I didn’t know how but I knew I had to. Originally I aspired to be a news broadcaster. I thought that I had my life set. But there was a turn of events when I turn 18 and graduated from high school. I was offered an opportunity to live and teach abroad. I took that opportunity and lived in Mexico on and off four years. I taught high school and college-level English. This was a great opportunity and it allowed me to learn a second language. I became very fluent in Spanish, which led me to many of the corporate positions I held. During my corporate career, I knew that I was not destined to work for someone. I had a high stressed corporate job with a lot of responsibilities and my job was constantly dangled before me like a carrot. Letting someone have control of my destiny was not something I was willing to compromise. I immediately made an exit plan. Part of my exit strategy was figuring out what commodity I was going to sell.
At the time, I was experimenting with hair extensions. It was challenging finding hair extensions that were quality. So I thought this is it. This is the product that I’m going to sell. I started doing a lot of research on hair extensions which led me to Chennai India. I decided to set out on an adventure to find the best hair extensions in the world. I boarded a plane and took off to India for a month. I traveled all of India going from place to place in search of quality hair extensions. To my surprise, I found them. I made connections during my visit, purchased hair and return back to the states to start my hair extension supply store. I open my first beauty supply store in Cutler ridge Florida and the first year, I made almost my corporate salary. I knew then that this was the business for me. After one year in the hair extension business, I decided to leave my corporate job. I took a corporate buyout, as they were offering it, and as a result I was able to dedicate 100% of my time. No longer would I have anyone controlling my destiny. The sky was the limit. I end up partnering with a beauty salon owner in hopes to learn and expand the business. That partnership went south and I found myself in a depressed place and my business was suffering, to the point where I almost had to close my doors. But I’m not a quitter! I remember hearing a song, I’ll never forget I was sitting in my office bawling my eyes out and the Aliayah song came on and the lyrics penetrated every fiber of my being… “once you don’t succeed just dust yourself off and try again”. Followed by the Katy Perry song “Roar”.
After that, I knew this was indeed a sign. After praying incessantly, I was convinced that saving my business became imperative. I began selling hair extensions out of my car. I’ll never forget August 2013, I made $20,000 in 5 days selling out the trunk of my car and door to door. Those sales allowed me to pay the current and past due rent on my building. I then partnered with an education partner and we begin to teach hair extension classes. This partnership helped to supplement hair extension sales. As the business grew, I was always thinking of ways to expand and grow. I started learning about Salon Suites. I was in a 3000 square foot building, at that time and wondered what I could do to bring in extra income. I decided to clear out all the rooms and turn them into Salon Suite rentals. That allowed me to produce supplemental income to offset the building rent. However, as I started renting out the salon suites, I realized that this concept was instrumental in helping new beauty entrepreneurs realize their goals and Salon ownership. What started off as me producing supplemental income to make my building rent, end up being an opportunity to aid and help many beauty professionals in their Salon ownership journey. Perfect Salon Suites was impacting so many professionals that it felt right, it felt good.
My goal has always been to give back. I feel like with the Salon Suite concept, I’m doing just that. I’m able to provide a workspace for salon professionals to feed their families. And that feels amazing. I’m able to impact lives and help them grow through their salon journey. In 2015, I was presented with an opportunity to expand the current location. We expanded with an investor 6000 square feet total. This allowed me to provide more spaces to salon professionals. We now have 22 Salon Suite spaces and we pride ourselves in helping salon professionals grow their business through Salon Suite ownership. When someone rents at Perfect Salon Suites they’re not just renting a space, they become family. I pride myself in helping and holding their hands and providing resources for them and advising them as they go through the day to day challenges of Salon ownership. I am thankful that I can provide this opportunity to salon professionals and be able to impact their business growth. I’m equally humbled and grateful to have this opportunity, and that all of the challenges and struggles that I faced to get here was so worth it!
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?
The road has not been smooth at all.
On the hair extensions side, I’ve had everything from stolen merchandise, having to get on a plane and go to other countries to secure product. Fraudulent vendors, you name it, we have been through it all.
On the real estate side, I’ve went through several failed business partnerships, to the point of almost losing my business, it’s been very challenging.
However my strength came from always having faith and trust in God, and I never stop believing in myself.
As the saying goes, at the end of all of the rain, there’s always a beautiful rainbow. The caveat is, we can never see the beautiful rainbow if we never experience the rain.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We started out as a hair extension company and we provide quality hair extensions to salon professionals. We are also a Salon Suite concept that specializes in providing affordable Salon Suite space to beauty professionals.
What sets Perfect Salon Suites apart is that we’re able to directly influence and impact the lives of Salon Suite professionals. Many of our Salon Suite professionals that lease at our Salon Suites have limited experience with Salon ownership. Our Salon Suite concept not only helps provide a space for them to earn income but we also provide resources for them as new salon entrepreneurs. We help guide them through the day to day challenges that come with salon ownership so that they never feel alone.
I’m most proud at the opportunity we are able to provide and how we impact the beauty industry through those opportunities. I’m most proud that we’re able to provide a space for beauty professionals to make money on their own terms. They are able to provide income to take care of their families and they are in control of their own destiny. I’m most proud that I’m able to be a part of their business success and growth. I’m humbled to able to see it with my own eyes and experience it with my full being. And that satisfies my soul every day.
What were you like growing up?
From a child, I’ve always been a very talkative and inquisitive person. I’ve always had a go-getter personality.
I was raised by what I call grey hair and wisdom. My grandparents and parents had a big influence on me.
They always allowed me to express myself unapologetically, and for that I’m thankful.
My parents always told me that I was born with a gift; with a talent, and that talent was to empower people.They instilled in me to respect my gift and use it for good.
From little, I always knew that I had a responsibility and that was to impact and help the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: Perfectsalonsuites.com
- Phone: 7863687697
- Email: kyoung@Perfecthaircompany.com
- Instagram: @perfectsalonsuites
- Facebook: @perfecthaircompany
Image Credit:
Shelly Murdock
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