Today we’d like to introduce you to Rueleta Williamson.
Rueleta, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well, I started out just doing hair in high school and it was just something that people asked me to do. People like my neighbor a few doors down and friends at school, also, my family. I didn’t really want this as a career until after i went to college for almost 2 years I just felt a little stressed and unhappy because I was going to school not really majoring in a specific subject but just taking general classes because I wanted to say I was doing something, but at home I was still hungry to do more hair. So after about a year and a half, I just stopped and went and enrolled at Sheridan cosmetology school and got my hours and basic training through there, I finished December 2014 and have been freelancing ever since. I’ve worked in 2 salons so far and also had my own suite for a while but had to give it up due to brief financial issues. As for now, I have just been researching and just exploring what I want my position to be in this beauty industry.
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?
No, it hasn’t been the smoothest road. I’ve had to teach myself a lot of things. I’ve learned to save, invest in yourself, and most important stay true to yourself. There were times when working at the shop, when I wouldn’t have a client all week but I would still be accountable for the rent with nothing saved. Times like that taught me that you can’t spend everything you get. Before I went to school, I had NO clue about how much money a hairstylist had the potential to make. I was surely schooled though, so I started to think about it in a business way, like how many clients a day I could take, the rates, for different services, training. Continuing education is so important as well. The more you learn, the more you know. I’ve had good days and bad days, lol! Days with no car, no money coming in and a lot of things that needed to be done. I can say choosing this career path has really taught me a lot and I’m very thankful every day for the lessons.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I just wanted anyone who comes to me to have a good experience so I came up with Herbeautyexperience. I specialize in braids and weaves. I didn’t know that I was a good braider initially, I think my clients have definitely given me the confidence, to see them coming back for more, to say to me, that I trust you with my hair, just work your magic. They push me to be the best that I can be. I started out just doing weaves, now I’ve been doing more natural hair and wigs. I’m most proud of my growth because I before didn’t think I could be much, especially doing this alone, I have no mentor, no assistant, everything’s solely on me. I want so much more out of this industry, I honestly feel like, I’m fresh out of school or something because I have been literally teaching myself so much, basically revamping myself for my future
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I can definitely be described as shy. I had friends, I was just a shy person. I didn’t really talk much. I have a Jamaican background and growing up, we kept a lot of parties and did a lot of family gatherings. So, you can say is family oriented in middle school, I was in the band and that kind of helped me loosen up because I was pretty good at it. I played the clarinet and was the second chair and performed at Disney twice. High school was definitely my fun years. I had a lot of fun and learned so much about me, people and life itself. I enjoy R and B music. I like really chill and relaxing settings. Being a hairstylist, you meet all sorts of people and personalities. I feel that this has brought me out of my shell as well. I just enjoy life itself.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 407-797-0832
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herbeautyexperience/
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
