Inspiring Conversations with Rena Timpson of The Glam suite

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rena Timpson

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started back in high school; I realized that I love doing hair but I was a late bloomer so I thought college would be the better route for me. I attended North Carolina Wesleyan college in Rocky Mount, North Carolina for a year and in that time I realized how bad of a desire I had for the Beauty industry. So after I completed my first year at North Carolina Wesleyan College, I decided to reset and move back to my home city of Hampton, Virginia in pursuit of a career in the cosmetology industry. I started out at Regency Beauty institute in Newport News, Virginia then I end up finishing at Luckes Beauty Academy, which is my home away from home. I can definitely say that place is what made me into the Stylist that I am today. It gave me a passion to combine my love for art and my love for people in creativity into one thing so I graduated from Hair school and then I began doing freelance work for about a year and decided to go back to my hair school as a administrative assistant of the school. The school director took me under her wing and started training me to become an instructor so then I got my instructors license after I had my cosmetology license for about two years and then I had another love for helping people new to the industry experience the love for cosmetology and find their own paths in this ever growing industry from there. I did work in a salon up until Covid as well as teaching once Covid hit. I couldn’t do hair anymore because the pandemic shut all salons down for the most part for a while, but I was still able to teach virtually which helped me own it on my craft on learning new techniques and communicative skills and how to get people to pull out their expressiveness and transform it into hair or makeup artistry or even a little nail artistry and nails isn’t my calling as much as hair, healthy hair styling hair, extending hair, coloring it cutting it all of the above. So after the pandemic, kinda loosened the restrictions, I decided to give myself a fresh start, and I moved to North Carolina. I did not jump straight back into the salon so when I first went back to North Carolina, I worked for European wax center. Where basically I just did full body waxing all day long which I loved because I had never gotten into the more aesthetic side of cosmetology prior to besides facials, but just doing the full body waxing was pretty fun and that something I would definitely carry with me. and then after about seven or eight months in North Carolina, I finally got a call back from Paul Mitchell the school of Raleigh to be an instructor which I loved. I learned a lot. I grew a lot. I met a lot of cool people. We experienced a lot and I felt like it definitely elevated me to the next level. I was there for 3 years which during that time I was behind the chair again at a salon in Raleigh called skyline hair salon where I started to rebuild my clientele, rebrand, and market myself in different ways. Basically got me back in the salon atmosphere instead of doing house-calls are traveling all over the place; so it’s definitely comfortable to be stationary and have people come to me and meet new people and experience different things and try a whole bunch of different things along the way after about a year and a half. I decided to open up my own salon suite to give my client more intimate boutique feel and allow me to express myself through my decor, the atmosphere, and then just making sure my clients understand that they are my only focus. I have been doing bridal hair for about five years now off on as well as I have assisted with some fashion shows in Raleigh and in Newport News, Virginia, and then also a photo shoot. I’ve done over the past summer here in Raleigh. My goals are to expand. I definitely want to get back into the traveling side of being a stylist. I’ll have my homebase in Raleigh but I wanna travel to Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, South Carolina, New York, Virginia, and Maryland I’m trying to hit the whole East Coast my endgame is definitely to own and operate my own school as well as have multiple chain salons and my own luxury extensions line.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, My biggest struggle was stepping out on faith and trusting God’s plan for me when I moved to NC to restart my career. It was hard to understand that obstacles and challenges are inevitable. Rebuilding and revamping in a completely new place was extremely hard but the key is staying strong to push through.

We’ve been impressed with The Glam suite , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is more than just a salon—it’s an intimate, boutique-style experience designed to provide high-quality, personalized hair care in a relaxing atmosphere. I specialize in healthy hair care, natural hair, extensions, custom coloring, cutting, and bridal styling. My brand is known for enhancing natural beauty while prioritizing the health and integrity of my clients’ hair.

What sets me apart is my deep passion for both artistry and education. With a background as a licensed cosmetology instructor, I not only style hair but also educate my clients on maintaining healthy hair outside the salon. Every service is tailored to the individual, ensuring a unique and luxurious experience.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust and relationships I’ve built with my clients. My goal is to make each person feel valued, confident, and beautiful. I want readers to know that my salon is a place where creativity meets expertise, and I am committed to providing top-tier services with a personalized touch. Whether it’s a full transformation, a simple refresh, or a bridal look for a special day, my goal is to make every client look and feel their absolute best.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and guidance of so many people along the way.

First and foremost, my family and close friends have been my biggest cheerleaders, always encouraging me to chase my dreams, even when the journey felt uncertain. Their unwavering support has kept me motivated through every challenge.

I also have to give credit to my mentors in the industry—especially the administrators and instructors at Lucas Beauty Academy and Paul Mitchell The School Raleigh. They saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself, taking me under their wing and teaching me not only the technical side of cosmetology but also the business and educational aspects. Their mentorship helped shape me into both the stylist and instructor I am today.

My clients deserve just as much recognition. Their trust, loyalty, and word-of-mouth referrals have played a huge role in growing my business. They continuously push me to evolve, be creative, and provide the best experience possible. Without them, none of this would be possible.

Lastly, my fellow industry professionals—whether past coworkers, salon teammates, or other beauty entrepreneurs—have inspired and supported me in ways that go beyond just business. Their shared experiences, advice, and camaraderie remind me that we’re all in this together, and there’s always room to grow and uplift one another.

Pricing:

• Extensions staring as low as $125
• Keratin treatments $275
• Silk press’s $85

Contact Info:

• Website: https://glamsuite.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: glittziestylez