We recently had the chance to connect with Christle Bandy and have shared our conversation below.
Christle, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Being a grandmother. I have two new grandbabies.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Christle Bandy. Just a few years ago I was finishing up Natural Hair classes and becoming a licensed Natural Hair Stylist working out of my home with dreams of owning my own salon.. I went from working a full time job and doing hair out my house part time to now being a licensed salon owner.. When covid hit in 2020 I seemed more people were going Natural. 95 percent of my clientele have locs as do myself which I have had for 14 years. So daily I am shampooing, retwisting, and styling locs.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child i believed that I always needed somebody else to have a voice for me. I was quiet and shy and didn’t think I could walk In a room alone. I know longer believe that. I have my own voice now.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I would say the defining wounds of my life would be having loss some close family members in my life back to back. For the past 5 years I have loss my grandfather, my first born and only son, my paternal grandfather, my paternal grandmother then my only sister. Each year I took a lost. I wouldnt say im completely healed. I would say doing what I love and staying busy and having a business with a positive image knowing that they all would be proud of me and all that I have accomplished is what keeps me going and keeping me from breaking.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is the real me. I dont think I know how to pretend to be anything else other than myself. Im the same person all day everyday. Thats what helped grow my business. I have had so many clients come to me and said they came bc of all the good things they have heard about me. When they get ready to leave they assure me they will be back because im exactly what they expected based off what they heard.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Im doing what I was born to do. I have been doing my own hair since I was a little girl. I did all the girls in the neighborhood hair along with the girls in the foster home that my grandmother had. When I graduated high school I was told to go to college My grandmother wanted to see me graduate from a college and earn a degree. I tried college a few times. Hair always been what I was into and did on the side. When I went back to college to get my Natural Hair License, my grandmother was just as proud as if I had received a degree.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Embellished_locs
- Facebook: Christle Hussey Bandy
