Meet Ashley Hair Dna | Cosmetologist and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Hair Dna and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk taking can be scary! But I am a strong believer of the fact that fear will paralyze you and I refuse to be a victim of fear. I think that most of my career has been a little risky. The biggest risk that I ever took was at the age of 20 years old when I left my hometown in Norfolk, VA and decided to go after my dreams in Atlanta, Georgia. I did not have a job! But I knew it was something that I had to do to better myself and live my dream as a stylist. At times, I look back and cannot believe I have been in Georgia for 13 years. At the age of 27, I left my corporate job where I was making $18 an hour to work in a salon as an assistant making $10 an hour. But I could see the bigger picture, so I took that risk and six months later I was a stylist earning more than I had ever earned in Corporate America. I left the salon where I felt extremely comfortable to enter into my own salon suite. I was so scared. I never thought I could do it by myself. But God told me it was time and I had to listen. I have been on my own for almost three years and have never gone without. I could go on and on about the risks that I have taken but these are the most pivotal ones that come to mind.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At Salon Hair DNA I pride myself in taking care of my clients natural hair, while offering the best customer service. I do not offer any weave services, which I think is something that makes me stand out from other stylists. I specialize in hair color, cuts and silk presses. I feel like I am a hair doctor. I help my clients with their healthy hair journey by providing a plan and regiment for their hair care needs. It makes me proud that I have clients that only trust me with their natural hair care. It also makes me feel good and solidifies that I am doing the right thing when providing the best nurturing hair care services to them.
It has not always been easy. But I kept going knowing and trusting that God would make a way. You don’t know how far you can go if you quit, right? My faith has allowed me to overcome many of obstacles. I feel as though owning a business is one of the biggest and longest walks you can ever walk while leaning on your faith. Money is not “guaranteed”. One thing that has helped me is my exercise routine walking the trails. I observe the birds, and I literally ask myself “Ash, if God provides for them and they do not worry why should you?”
I want the world to know that anything is possible. Things may not come as fast as you would like and that is okay. Everything happens the way it is supposed to happen. It will all work out in the end. My brand and I are proof that with patience and faith, it will work out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friends came into town for a week, there are so many places that I would love to take them to see and enjoy the area. We would go to brunch at Toast On Lenox, Milk and Honey, Fin and Feathers, and Garden Parc. We would venture off to The Battery and Atlantic Station. Lastly, we would hit Chicago Pizza, and the bars located downtown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to everyone I lost in 2019. They all impacted my journey. To every person that has helped me along my journey in any way, I say “thank you!”

Instagram: Hair_dna

Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/hairdnallc

Youtube: The Life of Hair DNA