Check Out Ashya Black’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashya Black.

Hi Ashya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers. 
I have always been a Jack of all trades. I love education and the arts, but there has ALWAYS been a special passion for hair. It started when I was younger. My mom was a cosmetologist, and I would always go through her hair things and play with her hair mannequins and always thought I was on to something. It went from my mom’s mannequin heads to my baby dolls’ hair to eventually giving my mom a break and doing both of my younger sisters’ hair. I would keep it within the family, handling my sister’s hair upkeep and my own. I was a single mother, fresh out of Highschool becoming a freshman at A&T State University. I kept going back and forth with what I wanted to do with myself and I eventually chose speech-language pathology and audiology and graduated in May 2017 with my baby girl by my side through all the trials and tribulations that my journey through attempting to make it through school, working multiple jobs at one time, while trying to keep us afloat all while still doing hair on the side to make ends meet. 

Fast forward to summer 2020, I decided to take a leap of faith and start taking in clients. It started off slow, a few people here and there over the month of June. I started promoting myself on all social media platforms, and eventually, word of mouth got out that I could braid hair, and the months of July and August picked up! I had clients coming in almost every day to MY KITCHEN on my barstool, letting me get them right! Only long hair during the summer, eventually turned into a few weekends during the school year as well. As I started to evolve and my hands started growing, I was getting people in left and right. Not only was I building a consistent clientele, I was increasing my skill level. No one realizes how powerful word of mouth is until it happens to them, and I had actual referrals coming in from my regular clients! I was and STILL am loving that I have the ability to make these individuals feel beautiful and build that esteem from the time they sit in my chair to the time they leave my chair. To me, doing hair is so therapeutic, not only for my clients but for myself as well. I’m in my most relaxed state when I am able to be of a service to someone. Hair is literally my therapy! 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. When I started taking servicing others seriously, it was right when COVID had really started taking its peak, and salon services were being forced to close down. I’ve always done hair in general, but it was more so within the family & close friends. 

I did start off in my living room when we moved to High Point. It did start off a little slow, and of course, I had to keep my prices reasonable because I was beginning to service others and still working on perfecting my craft. I was your “favorite kitchen stylist” for 2 years, and that’s when I decided to take it seriously and learn the ins and outs of natural hair care and enroll in school. When I made this decision, it was right after the most traumatic experience of my life, losing my mommy… One thing I’ve always admired about her is her drive and hustle, regardless of the circumstances, and that’s what really drove me to go for it. I made a GoFundMe and emphasized my love for hair and that I wanted to raise the funds to do so, and the support was outstanding! I raised enough to cover the deposit to start, which was over $500! From that point on, I was taking this journey seriously, and I’ve enjoyed EVERY bit of this ride! I love it here! Black Holistic is on the come up and continuing to thrive! 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am known for being a licensed, natural hair care stylist who specializes in braided styles. My most popular and requested style are knotless braids! 

I’m most proud of my drive to do this because attempting to be an entrepreneur is not for the weak! I have slow weeks and SUPER full and booked weeks. It all comes with the territory, and I just have to keep the faith alive and follow whatever path God has paved for me. 

What sets me apart from others is that I do see hair as a therapeutic service. It’s more than about your hair (of course, that’s important!), but I do take the time to get to know the ins and outs of my clients. I’m big on relationship building because that is where you receive returning clients. 

What does success mean to you?
I define success as one enjoying the fruits of their labor because of the journey. I feel people get to the success but forget those steps in between that made you successful in your journey. 

Pricing:

• All of my braiding options include shampoo services, hair, snacks (coming soon), and a stylist who cares! My pricing ranges from $45-$200 depending on the style requested.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blackholsticbraiding.as.me/
• Instagram: Instagram.com/blackholisticbraiding
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063762972471&mibextid=LQQJ4d