We had the good fortune of connecting with Lashunda Washington and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lashunda, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my brand is my children and the struggle I do not want to go through any more . It’s so many factors behind my success in my brand how I struggled growing up is one with 7 siblings . My success of my brand came from God prayers and hard work ..

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a hairstylist . I love doing hair but i love talking to my clients I love having them vent and relax . My business is set apart because what a woman say to me will never be repeated because my business is a safe place . Women need a out let and my services provides that. My darks days has provided wisdom to give to the broken hearted / depress women . My success came from me knowing I have no one to help me Financially and I want to be a we’ll own stylist . I use to do free styles and also had specials for $30 bond in . I use to dream about doing hair and I use to post at 3am in the morning and 6x a day. Through out my success I was having problems in my marriage and eventually filed for divorce and my sister past away in 2014 (Brittany ) . I filed for divorce in2017 and was granted freedom (lol) in 2018 . That’s was the darkest years of my life I was trying to commit suicide every chance I got . It was weeks I did t notice I didNt eat . I just start working hard . Some days I just cried in a dark room .. I but I couldn’t give up because I had kids . So I started to work harder and longer to not think about the pain . The lesson I’ve learn in the hair business is do not every every client , protect your peace , have off days , build a plan , do not spend fast ,save money . I a, girl from Richmond heights(Miami Florida ) who hated herself . That become a woman who fought through every Challenge that was thrown at her to become one of the most known hair stylist in tampa

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the Rose bar in tampa Florida Is black owner drinks are lit and it’s a chill and up scale spot . and Fleming’s steak house It’s up scale great food .

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to recognize my auntie heather my sister Tenille my friends Lyse Sandria Jaleesa Marian Jac articia my friend aqua Tomika also Sabrina . I’ve been push to the limits and these women have been here for every tear every midnight conversation . I want to say thank you ladies for always loving and never judging me even though o made BAD decisions . Thank you for always wiping my tears and giving me y’all shoulders to lean on . The prayers the truth about every situation has kept me going even when I want to give up on life and my career .

Website: Smileyhair.as.me

Instagram: Smiley beauty bar

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