Inspiring Conversations with Sharmaine Kirkland of Maine Attraction LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharmaine Kirkland.

Hi Sharmaine, 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?
It all started with a conversation my mom had with me. ‘’Sharmaine have you thought of going to hair school?” And here I am today 11 years later with Maine Attraction hair studio doing what I absolutely love. Growing up I never had the desire to do hair as a career but only for family and close friends. I always dreamt of being a math professor or a pediatrician. After graduating high school I attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where I thought was the beginning of my journey to become a pediatrician. Little did I know the curveball coming my way. I then had to learn that when life throws obstacles in the way of what you think is the path for you, better is coming. After leaving UNCG I had to reset and refocus on what I wanted to do. So I came back home where I attended Fayetteville Technical Community College where I graduated the cosmetology program with honors and obtained my license. From the start of my cosmetology career to now wasn’t easy but with hard work, determination, and working other jobs as well. I was able to use those other jobs to network with people to gain my clientele. And that’s how I built my career. I love what I do. Its something about seeing the smiles on faces of the many women and men I service. Help building confidence and enhancing ones beauty is pure joy to me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth oh no far from it. Being in the hair industry you have to work hard to gain your clientele. Whether it’s from advertising, word of mouth, etc. Somehow your name has to be out there to attract clients as well as your work showing for itself. From the start of hair school I had a full time job working seven days a week while attending school full time. I had that job all the way through school and during the last semester I got pregnant. Going through a pregnancy working and going to school my plate was full. But I pushed through. At one point I remember juggling three jobs at a time just to make sure my daughter and I were good. So the start of my career had a lot of bumps in the road, but it motivated me to go harder. Even now there maybe be a few bumps here and there. But you learn to keep going. One thing I know for sure what helped me is this particular scripture. Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Maine Attraction I service natural and relaxed clients focusing on the health of the hair and scalp. My specialty and what I’m known for would be locs. I enjoy everything from the retwist, to color, and styling locs. What sets me apart from others would be my personality, drive, and ambition. I’m able to service all hair textures. When people hear about Maine Attraction I would like for them to know that I am very passionate about my craft. My ultimate goal is to make every client feel comfortable, relaxed, and safe during their service.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My all-time favorite childhood memory is when my sister and I would count the days down for us going on summer break to see our grandmother. Before the last day of school, we would already have our bags packed and ready for our road trip from Kentucky to South Carolina. Summers in South Carolina were full of fun. Seeing our cousins and playing all day was the highlight of our summer. During some of those summer trips my aunt would teach me how to braid. I guess you can say that was the start of a career I had no idea I was going to be in.

Contact Info:

• Email: charmk8@gmail.com
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/maine_attraction_llc
• Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/stylesbysharmaine