Meet Ashanti Gray | Natural Hair Care Stylist / Loc Extension Specialist

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

Hi Ashanti, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process began with my deep passion for hair art and natural hair care with protective styles. I’ve always believed that hair is more than just a style. It’s a form of self-expression and confidence. I wanted to create a space where people could not only get high-quality styles but also feel empowered by their natural beauty.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
House of AKIA isn’t just about hair; it’s about bringing your visions to life when creating a unique hairstyle. I started this brand in while attending Bennett College for Women and attending this school really helped me leverage my business because most of my clients were on campus or in the area. I started doing yarn locs, crotchet styles, box braids and then eventually creating my own signature styles AKIALOCS and AKIATWIST. What sets me apart is the custom techniques I’ve developed loc extensions and twist extensions. These methods are designed to not only create natural-looking, long lasting styles but also prioritize the health of my client’s hair. My approach is truly one-of-a-kind in the industry. I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve built House of AKIA from the ground up, creating a brand that empowers people to embrace natural beauty. Developing my own techniques, having multiple hair shows, collaborating with big influencers that genuinely supported my business and showing how innovation can truly set you apart. The journey of being an entrepreneur is not easy. I’ve had good days, slow days, slow months and months that kept me afloat. One of my biggest challenges I faced when I moved to Atlanta, GA was building a consistent client base. There were times I felt like I had to overwork to prove myself and showcase the quality of my work to attract and retain clients. To overcome this, I focused on consistently delivering exceptional work, building relationships with clients, and utilizing social media to showcase my unique styles and techniques. Over time, word of mouth and my online presence help me gain the trust of more clients. Through this process, I learned the importance of patience, persistence, and staying true to my craft. It also thought me how to market myself effectively, which has been a game-changer for my business. Every challenge I’ve faced has made me more resilient and confident in my abilities. I’ve learned to adapt, innovate, and continuously grow, which is why I’m excited about the future of House of AKIA and the opportunities to share my journey with others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here’s the itinerary for my best friend & I
Monday- Brunch at Breakfast at Barney’s
Explore Ponce City Market. Shop, eat lunch then go to the rooftop amusement park
Dinner- The Optimist and then end the day at Victory Sandwich Bar
Tuesday Go hiking at Stone Mountain Park, Lunch at Slutty Vegan, then head to the High Museum of Art and then ending the day at Bamba on a Tuesday at Rock Steady
Wednesday- Brunch at Atlanta Breakfast Club, Walk through Atlantic Station, Lunch at Cafe Intermezzo, Sauna Day at Jeju and ending the night Wine down Wednesday at The City Winery with Conversation.
Thursday- Yoga class at Piedmont Park followed by lunch at True Food Kitchen, Trap Museum, Dinner at Two Urban Licks and ending the night with drinks at Bar Vegan
Friday- Walk the Atlanta Beltline, Lunch at Fin & Feathers followed by a concert or comedy show
Saturday- Brunch at Buttermilk Kitchen, Lunch at Ladybird Grove at the Beltline, self care day with facials and massages followed by drinks and good music vibes at Living Room afro beat Lounge
Sunday- Church at New Birth
Followed By Brunch Suite Lounge, Shopping or Thrifting and then Dinner/Drinks at Pasha.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout family, friends and consistent loyal clients. First and foremost I want to recognize my sister Veronica who’s one of my top supporters, mentor, life coach and manager. My sister has always poured into me when she realized how passionate I was when I first started doing hair. She was my first real life human mannequin and whenever I wanted to try a new style she was always willing to let me express myself with try different styles. I want to also shoutout my brother Desmond for always being on top of me when it comes to Marketing and promoting my brand. He has a blog called “AllDatNoise” and over the years he has promoted and help scale my business on his platform. Lastly, Without GOD nothing would be possible. I Thank him for giving me a gift to help others feel confident, beautiful and like themselves again. I appreciate every client that has supported my business rather it’s referring a client, sharing my post, or booking me. I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for House of AKIA.

Website: https://akia.glossgenius.com

Instagram: ShadowedBy_GOD

Facebook: Ashanti Gray