Finding businesses that do hair around campus can be difficult. Anitya Berry, a sophomore art major, does hair in her dormitory at Lee Wicker. Berry shares the reason why she started her business. “When I moved here from New York, I didn’t know anyone who could do my hair so I learn how to do my hair. After that, I started practicing with my mom and little sister, and ultimately, it turned into me doing others as well,” she said.
Berry does not have a business name yet, but she expresses the desire to expand her professional identity. “I personally plan on creating an Instagram page or even little flyers to go around on campus. I wish I had the ability to be able to get more clients, ” she said.
“The overall space isn’t a lot, especially if your room is on the smaller side, ” Berry said in response to having to do hair in her dorm.
With an aspiring business advertised on Instagram, junior and commercial music major Yoraisa Randall wants the same growth opportunities.”One thing I would love to do is make a cute website to attract more clientele. Right now my main way of getting my business out there is a flier but eventually, I would love a website. Also, I’ve thought about joining collegiate curls and the Blueprints, the organizations on campus that focus on black girl magic and hair health, to get my name further out there,” she said. Randall does hair in her Phleps dorm. She said that she’s “always been interested in natural hair care and natural hair care and natural hair – period, ” because of her journey.
Randell expresses herself in many ways with her hair.
“I would play on my own head and give myself haircuts. I’ve had waves before and now I’m rocking my afro, growing my hair out,” she said.
Even though Randall has experience with hair, there were times she would compare her work to others sell herself short.
“I would compare my work to others who have been doing hair professionally longer than me and I would tell myself that prices need to reflect that. I started offering services for as low as $10 to $15; but, shout out to my roommate, she would tell me not to compare my work and that it’s as good as everyone else’s, ” she said.
After realizing her worth, Randell started her hair business called ” Yorasia ‘s Touch”. What about on campus? Carla Wilson, a biochemistry major and Winthrop alumni explains who her doing her own hair led to the making of her hair business, “Carla’s Creations”.
“I wanted to provide affordable hair services to college students. I enjoyed doing my own hair and friend’s then I decided to make it my business,” she said.
Willson started “Carla’s Creations” during her sophomore year in 2019. Since then, she hasn’t given up her passion. Instead, she gained more growth from local areas.
“It has grown from not just Winthrop students, but people in the local area. I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things about hair and life from my clients,” she said.
Wilson specializes in knotless braids and practices hair on herself. “I also do feed in braids and wigs on myself,” she said
Berry shared words of advice for aspiring hairstylists. “Be consistent and everything will fall into place,” she said.
