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NENE COUTURE HAIR
You clearly have a passion for healthy beautiful hair.
When did you know hair was your calling?
Nene: "Even though I've been doing hair for 15+ years, it was only just 6 years ago that I realized it was my calling to change lives through healthy hair. I believe people take their natural gifts for granted, so I think for a long time I took my gift for granted because I had always done it."
 
How does it feel to play such a vital part in getting
Black women to love their natural hair?
Nene: "It feels amazing. I feel I can change their outlook on natural hair and healthy hair. I am able to show clients how to achieve the looks they desire in a way that is beneficial to them and their hair."
Do you think stylists should find their niche and focus on one thing?
Nene: "I absolutely do because when entering this industry you just want to obtain clients but the advantage of finding your lane and staying in that lane is that you are able to become a specialist or expert in that. I feel that is how you obtain notoriety . Your lane is your launching pad after mastering it you can then explore other lanes if you would like."
 
What effect has social networking had on "Nene Couture Hair"?
Nene: "I would say social media has a positively affected my brand. It gave me opportunities such as moving to a new city, sharing my movement of healthy hair and giving me exposure. Being "booked and busy" happened before social media but now I am able to expand my knowledge on a much wider scale which is ultimately the goal."
What do you find most rewarding about hairdressing?
Nene: "The flexibility of being my own boss.I love meeting new people and enjoying the transformations that take place in the salon. I love being in such a creative field."
 
Being a owner/hairstylist can be very time consuming,
how do you balance work and life?
Nene: "I try to structure my days in the salon. I focus on my clients when I am in the salon. I work 4 days a week and the other days I work on administrative and marketing. I also juggle being a mother which is first and foremost. Having a schedule and sticking to it is important. I make sure to add me time and mommy time in that schedule as well to keep a healthy balance."
 
What advice would you give to new hairstylists on building a clientele?
Nene: "Definitely find your lane. Focus on professionalism, showing up, being personable, and staying consistent. Also pay close attention to the business side, Talent is there but sometimes the business aspect gets neglected."
Is there anyone in the industry that inspires you to dream bigger?
If so who and why?
Nene: "I would say Kim Kimbell because she's done a lot of the things I aspire to do . She has a salon and a product line but is also able to do editorial work and manage a successful woman. She's a black woman that proves she can do it all."
  
What are your short term career goals?
Nene: "The biggest would be to be able to grow my brand internationally and also be able to obtain a life coaching certification to help others learn the balance of career and life"
What are your favorite and least hair trends today?
Nene: "My favorite hair trend is of course natural hair. The flexibility of it is amazing going from straight to curly. My least favorite would be frontals. Its doing the opposite of what it's supposed to do. It's considered a short term style but now it is no longer a protective style and doing more harm when it was not created to do so."
Everybody wants to know what products and tools are your must-haves?
Nene: "Shampoo and Conditioner would of course be #HHG Hello Moisture line. One of my favorite irons is EAP Heat and a good ceramic blow dryer. These are essential in the natural hair process."
Photos courtesy of Nene Couture Hair
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