Today we’d like to introduce you to Raycine Bonelli.
Hi Raycine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always had a passion for doing hair I started when I was about eight years old watching my sister do other people’s hair I use to stand next to her and watch her, I would call myself a Hands-On Learner I used to practice on my friend’s hair all the time and little by little I got better and better at it I wanted to learn how to do all different type of styles so I bought myself a mannequin so that I can practice my craft over and over watching YouTube Learning different braid methods… My interest with the kids came naturally I always loved how cute the little Bows and Beads were on the little girls, I knew that was my Target I wanted to be a children braider just to see the transformation. Over the years my clientele grew by word of mouth handing out flyers, and recommendations because at the time I was the only Braider that took children starting at 11 months old. I was the only Children Braider in Broward/Dade County that took the Crybabies, Tenderheads & my favorite the Wigglers. So I had my hands full it wasn’t easy but I was always up for the challenges. People will always ask me how do you have the patience to deal with the screaming crying and moving but it never bothered me because each client was always different and once they got used to me. I had no problems after that I worked seven days a week, early morning, late-night, and last-minute appointments. I just wanted to always cater to the kids because it’s not a lot of Braiders for children. I was just honored to be a highly recommended children’s Braider & parents 1st. choice.
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?
The journey was definitely very challenging learning how to market myself and build a website to schedule myself learning to time myself with certain hairdos so I don’t overbook myself, I had to learn how to get out of my own way and ask for help from different Braiders who were more experienced in this braid world My Braider mentor Sabienne Louis taught me so much along the way different Braiding methods, parting Hair, sectioning hair, tucking hair, and treating hair for all different textures Hair. I know I needed that one on one because I knew this is what I wanted to do I wanted to be the best and to be the best you have to be trained by the best I never wanted to stop learning you can never stop learning in this field you can’t be afraid to want to learn and perfect your craft there’s no limit to learning when it comes to hair. My biggest struggle I deal with to this day is getting infections in my fingers that’s the biggest hassle for me because your finger being infected it’s very painful and it can have you missing work for 3 to 4 days just so it can heal, My hands sometimes cramp up if I’m braiding for a long period of time I will have to stop & massage my hand so it doesn’t lock up on me after each head I will have to soak my hands in warm water and massage them every single day.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a licensed Children’s Braider & I specialize In Braids, Plaits & Cover Ups I’m the Braider that’s known to take the Children That will give you a hard time the Screaming & Crying it can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, but you have to learn your clients & I learned that each one of my little clients are special in their own way when they are done getting their hair done and they look in the mirror they can’t stop smiling they’re shaking their hair their touching their hair they just don’t know it brings me so much joy that I put a smile on the on their face as well as the parent I’ve always heard parents say to me I’m a blessing to them because they have been searching for someone who specializes in children hair and who has patience with children and hearing that made me feel one of a kind like nobody else does what I do. I’m proud that I can be someone can rely on when it comes to their children’s hair I like the fact that I’m a different Braider I’m all about the kids I have had some kids that have been with me since they were two years old to now they’re teenagers, all Growing Up I try my best to make each little girl feel special. I always want the children to know that I do appreciate them and I show my appreciation During different holidays where I will have Valentine’s Day goodies for the Easter Baskets, St.Patrick’s Day I’ll have a pot of gold coins, Halloween I will have so much candy and novelty toys for them to trick a treat and fill up their bags, & Christmas Will Definitely have to be my favorite time of the year I set up my Tree in my shop & I put a ton of toys underneath the Christmas tree and every single one of my clients can pick any present they want from my Babies all the way to my teenagers will receive a present after their appointment Just to show my Appreciation, I love what I do and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else I was born to do this I was born to make a difference.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
What is most important for me in my success is never be afraid to want to perfect your craft. Do lots of research take classes to improve. Build a relationship with your clients to where both parties have an understanding you always want your client to be comfortable with you and I’m very big on that because I deal with children of all ages & I deal with children with special needs so I have to be extra open in mindful with them as well. For me to call myself a children’s braider I can not put a limit on the age, they have a head full of hair at 9months and you asked me can I braid it I’m going to try because up for the challenge.
Contact Info:
- Email: Slimguru12@gmail.com
- Website: www.styleseat.com/slimbraider
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Braidsbyslimthebraider/
- Facebook: SlimthaBraider
- Other: https://pin.it/67gUpz4
