Meet Ava Pinkston | Beautician
We had the good fortune of connecting with Ava Pinkston and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ava, how do you think about risk?
When it comes to risk, I believe that its something everyone who has a special talent or skill should take. Taking a risk and quitting my 9-5 to focus more on my business has been one of the best things that I’ve ever done. There’s a saying that says you miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take, and once God revealed this talent to me, I knew that I had to pursue it by any means necessary. After I quit my 9-5 I was still in college, struggling to figure out how I was going to pay my tuition, and that’s when I decided to really take my business seriously and started to invest money that I really didn’t have into it. I took a braiding course to learn the basics, and perfected my craft by watching you-tube tutorials’, and practicing styles on myself, and my sisters. Then, I put together my first business photoshoot including myself and three other women. In doing so, I made a name for myself, and I started to get more clientele –this motivated me even more. I was introduced to a marketing coach by a cousin of mine, and was able to receive a marketing bundle that helped me with learning how to market my business on social media. After, I decided to create my own separate business account on Instagram @PinkStyledMe, and made it a priority to consistently post quality content. In doing so, my business continues to grow every single day, I strive to be consistent in not only how I market my business, but also being consistent in continuously trying to progress and perfect my craft, and offering quality service. So, when it comes to taking risk, I say go for it because it is always worth it in the end.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Pink’d by Attallah is the name of my business, I am a beautician that mainly focuses on protective styles. What makes my business different from other hair businesses is that I’m a versatile hairstylist. This means that I don’t just specialize in one hairstyle,I specialize in many. For example, I’m an expert in Knotless Braids, Passion Twist, Soft Locs, Butterfly Locs, Senegalese Twist, Natural Loc styles for men and women, and I even offer various kid styles. If I had to choose one thing that I’m mostly proud of when it comes to my business it would have to be the consistency and progression that I have made since I started my business a year ago. Having your own business is not easy, its so many things that come with it, and there is always that one day or time where you will begin to feel discouraged and wonder if your making the right decision, but the fact that I didn’t let those doubts stop me from continuing to build my business makes me so proud. I’ve been through a lot, family feuds, financial issues, school stress, and doubt from not receiving clientele how I wanted so it was never easy but since I was a kid, I’ve used my pain and hardships as fuel. I’ve never been one to let things stop me from achieving my goals. I’ve overcome so many obstacles by simply believing in myself, and choosing what i want out of this life, and not what others wanted for me. Along the way I’ve learned that you success takes time, and you have to be patient when it comes to building your own business. I’ve also learned that consistency, will always take you exactly where you want to go. Lastly, I want everyone to know that Pink’d isn’t just a hair braiding service, I currently sell bonnets, and scarves and I will be expanding, and have plans on starting my own product line selling edge control, combs, and much more.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If me and my bestfriend were to hang out, we would honestly not do much. I’ve always been a homebody, but I do like to get out sometimes. If anything, I’d like to go on adventures, I would like to do something like rock climbing, zip lining, or anything that is different from what were used to like going to the movies or bowling. As far as food is concerned I am what you call a “foodie” I love food and I will just about try anything so I can’t exactly say where I’d take us, because If I had the option I’d try every food place we came across.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a special shoutout to my grandparents, my siblings, my Aunt Linda, and my cousin Aja for all of the love and support that they have continuously shown throughout my journey. Without the words of encouragement from my grandparents, the support from my siblings–letting me practice on their hair, and sharing my content, without my Aunt Linda letting me set up my own salon suite in the basement of her home, and without Aja looking out for me from a distance and providing with vital information about what it takes to run a business I wouldn’t be here right now getting featured in a magazine, and my business probably wouldn’t be what it is now. So, I’m truly grateful for every single thing that each person has done for me, and I just want to say thank you to you all. I love you all so much and I promise to make you all proud.
Instagram: @pinkstyledme
Twitter: @pinkstyledme
Image Credits
Photographers; @pspicsllc & @imaxb_ on Instagram.
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