Check Out Summer Robinson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Robinson.

Hi Summer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved doing hair.

As a child of a single mother, I went to cosmetology school with my mother and when she worked in the shop I also went with her and became her little helper: sweeping up hair, washing the towels, and keeping everyone’s stations filled with supplies and I absolutely loved it.

As I got older I always did something to my hair or tried at least even when I had no idea what I was doing. Once I got to middle school and my mother was overdoing my hair and two days later I take it out and try to do something else, she began to teach me how to box braid. It was a wrap after that! I did my hair almost every weekend faithfully. As I got older I wanted to try more things, and do different colors, and accessories, and I put more attention to my hair.

In high school, I was known to have a new hairstyle once or twice a week, and one of my best friends was the one who actually told me I should look into that as a career. Once you graduate, life hits you like a rollercoaster 1000 feet in the sky. What saved me and kept me out of trouble and focused on my objectives in my life was doing hair.

So I started full-time in 2017 practicing different styles, teaching myself new methods, asking other braiders questions (which was no help because no one really acknowledged anything), and doing my best to make people fall in love with their hair all over again like I did mine every time I did something new.

Over the years, I grew to love the expressions and happiness that I watch men and women achieve from getting a hairstyle. They might come in having a bad day or depressed or not feeling like themselves but leave with the confidence and happiness to take on their next challenge in life whatever it is and to keep progressing in life.

Now that I have my Natural Hair Care license I strive to teach the people about their hair including how to care for it, what to do with it, and overall explaining the processes our hair goes through as a result of our bodies, health, and overall wellness.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The hair industry for me hasn’t always been smooth sailing.

I had to grow and learn from everything. I learned how to be professional once I had to deal with a certain type of client that tries to continuously degrade your passion or work. At one point in time, I went through undermining my passion, talent, and dedication, bending to satisfy everyone which in this type of industry you absolutely can not do.

Teaching myself new techniques was absolutely not a smooth road I experienced in the hair industry. I originally reached out to some professional braiders with questions, and concerns and looking for help with starting my own business and aiming to get to where they were. I got ignored, told I would never braid like that, and overall told I had to be in the industry more than 20 years to really be good at anything.

I dedicated my frustration to being keen on details and learning the many techniques on YouTube. Yes, YouTube. I taught myself new box braid methods, feed-in methods, Senegalese twist, stitch braids, etc. I went through a small phase of being lied about and slandered through Facebook hair pages, groups, etc. from clients and another stylist on the work I started producing at a time when I wasn’t really good at all.

I had to build my confidence, and build my business not knowing anything in the business aspect, to become the professional Natural Haircare technician I am today.

Five years in and I have my business established, I teach hair care and hold braiding classes for the average man and woman, as well as parents and kids, to be able to teach anyone how to care for their natural hair no matter the circumstance.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in braiding. I’m known for my freestyle in any type of braiding style.

I strive to help all of my clients have that one-of-a-kind feeling when they come to get their hair done. There is nothing like leaving your hair appointment and knowing you are the only one with this design, and potentially the beginning of a new trend.

I’m most proud of my consistency and symmetry now that I have been working towards perfecting my craft for some years now. I started off with no symmetry, my consistency was terrible, to now I’m close to being one of the best in Fayetteville, NC.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
If you’re looking for a mentor in the hair industry, I absolutely would love to help you. I have business classes where we have 1-on-1 sessions to build your business from the ground up beginning with business plans, paperwork, etc.

Leading up to and building your clientele to getting your license and making your career a success. What has worked for me is to always strive to do my best, and remember a quote my husband created to always strive to grow and progress.

“What did I do today, that I didn’t do yesterday, that will make me better tomorrow” – BATA.

Pricing:

• Braiding styles start at $100+
• Kids’ braid styles start at $70+
• Classes start at $250+
• Hair accessories start at $15+

Contact Info:

• Website: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/CM655WG5R8Y5W
• Instagram: Www.Instagram.Com/lxrybyimani_
• Facebook: Luxury hair by Imani
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC7IIRcNjyhmH0Dz5_70ybKA