Growing Up I Was Bullied for My Curls So I Created Curl Cave, a Space for the Curly Girlies

Rising up, I used to be at all times informed to straighten my hair. “Tame it,” they stated. “It’ll look higher.”

Once I was 6 years outdated, I’ll always remember my brother saying guys can’t put on make-up, and that stayed with me eternally. Even once they referred to as my hair the beast I didn’t care and nonetheless wore my curls proudly. Regardless of individuals making an attempt to make me consider that my pure curls weren’t adequate, skilled sufficient, and even lovely sufficient, I’m so grateful that I by no means resorted to self-hate. One thing about these feedback by no means sat proper with me, and regardless of the stress, I wore my curls anyway.

Quick ahead to at the moment, and I’m the proud proprietor of Curl Cave, Charlotte’s first Black-owned salon devoted to pure curls, coils, and waves. It’s been a journey, one in every of self-love, resilience, and empowerment however creating this area has been one of the vital fulfilling issues I’ve ever finished.

I’ve been doing hair since I used to be 16 years outdated, however my love for pure hair actually started with my very own journey. For therefore lengthy, individuals tried to make me match into magnificence requirements that weren’t made for me. I’d look within the mirror and surprise why I needed to work so laborious to be thought-about “acceptable.” 

I absolutely embraced my pure curls and really cherished myself however I seen a number of curly ladies, together with myself on the time, didn’t know tips on how to handle the curls. My hair wasn’t one thing to repair or cover, it was part of who I’m, and it deserved to be celebrated. I examined numerous methods to deliver my curls to stay and everybody began telling me my “curls had been poppin.” I seen different girls with curly hair had been struggling to get their curls to thrive as properly and needed to assist. 

Once I determined to open Curl Cave in 2021, my imaginative and prescient was easy: create an area the place others might really feel the love and acceptance I had discovered for myself. I needed girls to stroll in and really feel seen, heard, and understood which is one thing that’s far too uncommon within the magnificence trade for Black girls with pure hair.

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However let me inform you, constructing this area wasn’t straightforward. I began my enterprise with no help system, no household or shut associates to lean on. It was simply me, my imaginative and prescient, and a willpower to make it work. I even took a break from doing hair again in 2017 and labored the entrance desk at a salon, studying the ins and outs of operating a enterprise. That have turned the inspiration for Curl Cave.

What I didn’t anticipate was that my purchasers and staff would develop into my greatest supporters. They turned my neighborhood, my household. Over time, I’ve educated my crew from the bottom up as a result of discovering curl specialists isn’t any straightforward job, we’re uncommon! However I really like educating, and watching my crew develop has been one in every of my proudest accomplishments.

Curl Cave is greater than a salon; it’s a motion. It’s a spot the place we have a good time pure magnificence, empower each other, and break down the dangerous stereotypes which have plagued Black hair for a lot too lengthy. I’ve seen girls are available feeling defeated and go away with their heads held excessive, able to embrace their genuine selves. That’s what that is all about.

Once I hit my first six figures in 2021, I cried, not due to the cash, however as a result of it was proof that what I used to be doing mattered. Each curl I’ve styled, each consumer I’ve taught to like their hair, and each stylist I’ve mentored has been part of one thing greater than me.

My hope is that Curl Cave continues to encourage others to like themselves unapologetically. As a result of whenever you be taught to like your self, your actual, genuine self and there’s nothing you possibly can’t do. I’m dwelling proof of that, and so are the ladies who stroll by way of our doorways day-after-day.