Today we’d like to introduce you to Desilin Drayton.
Desilin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As some people may know, I have two businesses under my belt. One being an upcoming hairstylist and the other is a clothing designer. Last year November-December, I started practicing doing my own hair as well as bleaching and dying hair. This wasn’t something that I had in mind doing but it eventually stuck with me. When I first started out putting my business out in the open, I was only dying and bleaching hair. Yes, I was, in fact, scared because I didn’t want my clients to be unsatisfied with my work. I had only been doing it for a month, so I was just getting used to it.
As time progressed, my clients begin to challenged my coloring skill with different looks. I soon got into doing hair the begin of January 2019. Now, this was a whole different ball game. Yes, I was doing my hair at the time but I was only used to doing mines. It’s one thing to do your own hair but its other thing when you are doing someone else hair. I remember back in January I had this client come in to get her hair done. Let’s just say things didn’t go as planned. I was only doing wig installment at the time so I was just learning the in and out of doing an installment. Nevertheless, my client told me that she felt like her wig was on her forehead.
At the time, I was disappointed in myself because I would never want my clients to leave me unsatiated. I advised my client that I didn’t want her to pay me because she wasn’t satisfied. However, she paid me anyways, when she left, I cried to my mother because I felt so bad. My mother reminded me that this was something new I was walking into and I had to perfect my craft. Things will start to become easier for me but I can’t give up. Looking back on that situation, that young lady doesn’t know how much of a big impact she had on life.
Months later, I had launched my first line of clothing under the name of HP Kulture. My first line included swimsuits and a two-piece short set. Before I launched my line, I used to sit in front of my computer searching up different looks. I created my business logo and the design of my first collection. It was, in fact, a long process from promoting via social media to modeling my own line and releasing the collection.
I was blessed enough to sale all of my two-piece short set but the swimsuits didn’t do so well However, that didn’t stop me because I am in the process of launching my second collection on October 19, 2019. My dedication and consistency is the reason for how far I have gotten. I have gone through every trial and tribulation that came my way.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road but it’s nothing I couldn’t handle. When it came to starting my business, I have struggled with financial investments and consistency. People don’t understand when you start a business, you invest so much money and time. I am a sophomore in college, a part-time worker and an owner of two businesses. However, I still have bills that must be paid every month. So, my decision to open up a business adds more to my finances. Time after time, I felt discouraged because it felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere.
There have been moments in my journey where I wanted to quit because I was already risking so much. Everything began to take an emotional toll over me. However, I had to remind myself that consistency is what makes a great business owner. I had to stop thinking about the what-ifs because if I hadn’t pushed myself, I wouldn’t have come this far. Nothing in life will ever be easy. You will hit some bumpy roads but it’s how you overcome them that matters.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
The Hair Parlor and HP Kulture is a business based on enhancing your natural beauty. Sometimes, we have ladies who want to feel like a new us if you know what I mean. I am mostly known for my sick coloring skill when it comes to hair. I am mostly proud of the acknowledgment I do receive from my clients because I tend to beat myself up about my work.
Since I am so transparent with my clients, they always point out the good things that I may not see at first. My customer service skill is what set me apart from others. I treat my clients like family. My goal is to always make sure they are satisfied with their service and to make sure they come first at all time.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the next 5- 10 years, I see myself bigger than I am now. I want to be in my own storefront shop in Georgia. I want to include all my business ventures in this one place.
I want the front half of my store to be a salon and the back half to be my clothing studio. My goal is to turn my business into a one-stop-shop. They will be able to take care of personal needs all at once. I am pushing for better quality work for myself and business as a whole.
Pricing:
- wig installments $65
- frontal or closure bond in $75
- frontal or closure sew in $85
- custom coloring (wig “8-20”) $60
- custom coloring (wig “22-30” $80
Contact Info:
- Website: http://bookingthehairparlor.as.me/
- Phone: 7863293534
- Email: desilin.drayton@gmail.com
- Instagram: __thehairparlor & __hpkulture
Image Credit:
Lovelywholesale
Suggest a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
