Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharra Spann.
Hi Sharra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As cliche as it may sound, ever since I was a little girl, I knew that I wanted to be behind the chair. I’ll get brand new Baby Dolls and get in trouble for cutting their hair. Throughout my early teenage years, I would always service my family and friends from home.
Once it reached High School, I attended Robert Morgan Educational Centers Cosmetology program. I always think back to what a blessing it was to have something that I’m so passionate about as an elective in High school while also contributing to the hours I would need to get licensed in the state of Florida for Cosmetology.
After graduating from high school, there were still hours that I needed to complete so I went back to RMEC Vocational for night class being that I worked at Home Depot during the day. Let me tell you, I’m so grateful for the relationships that were made during the time of cosmetology school. There I met Frankie, a classmate turned brother.
I’ll never forget the day that he walked into Home Depot and saw me. He asked what in the world was I doing behind a register and put me in touch with a salon literally right across the street where he worked & informed me that they were hiring, The rest was history.
I often think about how long it would have taken me to get hands on into this field if it wasn’t for Frankie! Love You Frankie!!!!!
After graduating from Cosmetology school, Peter Of London was the salon where I had the privilege of assisting literally the most talented team of stylists you’d ever come across. Through them, I learned the theory of color & cuts, Yes. But most importantly I learned the foundation of teamwork and customer service, two fundamental things necessary for our industry which I still implement until this day.
After being an assistant at POL for two years and becoming a “Jr. Stylist”, after eight months I decided to take a leap of Faith & leave POL to transition from commission to booth rental, something that was extremely nerve wrecking for me simply because I didn’t know what to expect! Finally, I’d started to get into the swing of things, managing my own books, color inventory and allll of the other fun things that comes along with entrepreneurship that no one tells you about. I’m so grateful for the support system of stylists that I had along the way who were also transitioning into this new chapter, I couldn’t have done it without them.
After doing booth rental for six years, I’d become complacent. I wasn’t as inspired as I once was about being behind the chair, it was weird. I remember leaving the salon that I worked at for six years to open up my own “salon suite”. In a way, I felt like that would have given me that motivation that I needed to take me to the “next level” I’d been yearning for.
It didn’t. In fact, I quickly realized not having that “salon atmosphere” and just being confined to such a small space wasn’t something that I wanted, and after three weeks I went back to my previous salon. Talk about embarrassed! I’m sure that I came off as “ confused” to many at that point. But it was one of those things where I felt I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t tried.
A year later in 2017, an opportunity came my way that I was extremely hesitant about at first (especially after my last move)
I was asked to join a salon team up in Davie known as Maggie Rose. Maggie Rose is a well-known salon that specializes in Curly/Textured Hair.
Me knowing absolutely nothing about curls at the time, I figured this would be an amazing opportunity to grow clientele, grow as a stylist with all of the knowledge, and maybe through all of this, fall back in love with my career.
Working at Maggie Rose did just that. I was introduced to a whole new world of hair and it blew my mind that I’ve been deprived of it all. I say that simply because we don’t learn about curly/ textured hair in beauty school which made it intimidating for me, so I just overall avoided it.
Adding “Curl Specialist” to my resume and now providing services for clients with Curly/ Textured hair had opened up a whole new chapter in my career in which all came from a leap of FAITH.
In late 2018, my time working at Maggie Rose had expired.
I had given birth to my bundle of joy “MJ”, and the hour commute up to Davie and the 2 hour commute back during rush hour had began to be a bit too much for me and at that time, I needed to do what I felt was best for my mental health.
I came back to Miami working full time at the salon I’ve left twice before and I remember thinking to myself, “That’s it! I’m not moving again, I’ll just retire here” lol. I honestly felt like a failure and I felt like I was looked at as “unstable” at this point.
At that time in my career and experiencing postpartum depression it had become dark, and I hated not knowing what was next for me, and maybe that was what I needed. I needed to be still!
A few months later, my partner brought up the idea of me opening up my own salon space & I have to be honest with you, add opening up a salon to the list of dreams I didn’t even know I had. People ask me all the time “Did you always want your own salon?”. The answer is always “Nottttt Realllly” lol.
I’ve always been aware of the hard work and sacrifice that goes into owning a small business, Specifically a salon. To be on the other side of things when I’m so used to handling the business that’s ONLY behind my chair?
Lifeworks in weird ways doesn’t it?
It’s given me gifts I didn’t know I wanted, it’s thrown me challenges I didn’t think I could face.
And the silver lining is that every time I’m scared and afraid and think I can’t do it, I do anyway.
What’s the worse that could happen, you’ll never know until you try.
Through the grace of God, the support of my family, & my partner Mike who supports and encourage me daily through every obstacle this journey has thrown at me, I opened the doors to “ A Little Off The Top Hair Studio” in March of 2020, two weeks before the country shut down due to Covid.
My dream was to bring my love for hair and aesthetics to a creative space for independent creatives who value giving their clients an authentic experience.
I must add that I’m BEYOND grateful to be a business owner who came out on the other side of this Pandemic, it was a trying time for us all.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
After a nine months build-out due to Permits, Inspections and all of the other fun stuff you don’t find out about until your going through it… Finally, I was able to open my doors to the public, and two weeks later, I had to close down due to Covid. We were closed for two months. The longest two months of my life. It was literally a waiting game week by week, waiting to see if salons were able to open ‘next week” or not. It was tough but I’m so GRATEFUL to have made it out on the other side still having a business.
All in All while trying to find a work, life balance with trying to be the Best Mommy, the Best Partner, the Best Sister, the Best Friend, Daughter. . . It’s been tough and I wouldn’t say that I’ve quiet found that balance yet! But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I’m extremely BLESSED & GRATEFUL
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Multi Textural hairstylist & The owner of A Little Off The Top Hair Studio in Pinecrest.
I personally specialize in all things HAIR. Straight hair , Curly hair , Wavy hair , I provide services for all textures.
However with my Clientele growing tremendously over the past years & transitioning more towards Natural/Curly Hair clients I’ve become what you could consider a Curly Hair Specialist. Exposing clients to how to take care & love there natural curl has become a huge passion of mine.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Resilience Even if you get knocked down at the first hurdle, keep going.
Contact Info:
- Email: Alittleoffthetophairstudio@gmail.com
- Website: Alittleoffthetophairstudio.com
- Instagram: Sharra Spann
Image Credits
Jlashonphotography
