Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Singh.
Chris, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was 12 when I immigrated to New York from Jamaica, it was just me and my mom in a small basement studio apartment with no heat in the winter and no air conditioning in the summer. I grew up in a regular middle-class family back home so this was a big adjustment. My mom got really sick when I was about 14, she couldn’t work much anymore.
This was when I felt my strong work ethic and drive for the first time. I started working odd jobs for money for school, clothes and to help my mom. In the middle of all this, I started messing around doing my own hair at home coloring, and cutting. Not too long after I started doing my mom’s hair too, then I got the idea for my first business.
I started charging my friends and classmates to do their hair at home. I always had a passion for hair and fashion, two things I couldn’t afford. I knew as early as 14 I wanted to be a hairstylist or fashion designer. But having a sick mom with a deteriorating condition I didn’t feel I could risk not having a traditional career.
Halfway into 9th grade, my mom became more I’ll not be able to leave bed much or do many things on her own. So I joined a homeschool program to be at home more to take care of her. So at 14, my schedule became 1 hour of school in the morning to drop off assignments to my homeschool supervisor, then back home to do online classes and take care of my mom, then from 6-11 pm, I would be at work at a local restaurant.
In between all this still do all my friend’s hair and express myself by changing my hair color and style. I graduated high school when I was 16 thanks to moving at an accelerated rate thanks to homeschooling. Around this time I found out I could not afford college and qualified for very little financial aid.
I fell into deep desperation and got into a bad crowd. My mom passed away when I was 16. It was then I decided I would not let my circumstances keep me down. I bought a train ticket to Florida with help from my dad I was able to support myself and live with family and friends of his.
At this time I tried to enroll in cosmetology school and found out I still couldn’t afford it. So I re-joined the workforce starting my own printing business making t-shirts cards and phone cases while working part-time in call centers.
After a while, I sold my printing equipment and client list, and moved in with roommates now that I finally was no longer a minor. I decided to invest in myself and took a loan to go to cosmetology school, when I finally got into cosmetology school something clicked being around other creative people even though I was still different I felt I fit in.
And this is where the idea for my extension line phantom extensions was born @phatomhairextensions_ on Instagram. It was always a passion for doing hair but also I love making people feel their best selves and I could reach a much wider audience custom making and shipping hair extensions and wigs.
So with the support and help of my now-husband, I launched phantom extensions. You can find us online at phantomextensions.com, as well as you can find me making clients feel their best selves at Gramercy salon in Mizner park; where I specialize in balayage, highlights, extensions, and color
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Short answer No. There were times I almost had no place to live and $0 in my bank account, and an uphill fight with mental health. But all these things make me the unique person I am today. My biggest struggle would be denied opportunities because I could not afford them such as school.
I am one of the youngest licensed hairstylists I know working behind the chair, it makes me wonder how much further I would be in my career if I had started sooner. But these struggles have made me a stronger more intelligent person than I ever thought I would be.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m currently working as a hairstylist in Boca Raton, specializing in color, balayage, highlights, and extensions. I do great haircuts too if I do say so myself. The best way to contact me is on Instagram @curledbychris, you can DM me or text me on the phone number linked in my bio.
Phantom extensions are now working on our official relaunch we will be adding more pre-made extensions and wigs, and start offering more natural everyday colors as opposed to our regular colorful rainbow wigs and extensions. I am proud to say we are 100% ethically sourced which means all the women we buy our hair from are paid fair US Prices for their hair.
Also that the women we source our hair From naturally grew their length of hair. All products used on our hair are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, as well as our hair, is 100% luxury human hair. There are lots of extensions on the market what makes us different Is our commitment to honoring the women we source our hair from as much as we honor our customers.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My partner Joey has always been my number one cheerleader. No matter what I was going through or how bad things were he always supported me. As well as my mother-in-law A hairstylist herself for encouraging me mentoring me and guiding me.
I would also like to credit my father for the role he has played in my life helping put me through school so I could set myself up for a better future.
Contact Info:
- Website: Phantomextensions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curledbychris/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/phantomhairextensions_/
Image Credits
Nicole Sellitri
