Meet Ashley McFarlane | Loctician

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

Hi Ashley, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Growing up in a Jamaican household where I was the first generation Jamaican American child, there was a lot of pressure surrounding my choices. More specifically my career choices.

It’s was always “Ashley you’d make such a fine nurse!” From every aunty, church member, and especially my parents. If not a nurse, than a doctor, if not a doctor than a lawyer. You see where I’m going?

Immigrant parents always place a special type of pressure on their children because truthfully we have far more opportunities than they did. So what did I do? I went to GSU! I started courses that would align me with being the fine nurse everyone wanted me to be.

The problem is, I didn’t want it for myself. I’m a creative. I love things that allow me to express my creativity. One of my favorite avenues to do so is hair, and boy is there a market for it in Atlanta!

Fast forward about 5 and half years. I left GSU in 2017. And began forging a path to be able to showcase my hair skills. In June 2020 I found NappStar ATL. I had already heard about NappStar NYC and was beyond excited that one had opened up in Atlanta. Mind you, it was NappStar’s very own Annette Roche who started my loc journey in June 2020.

It wasn’t until October 2022 when I finally went all in and decided to join the NappStar ATL family. And I have been slaying locs like never before. I feel like a new creative part of me had been unlocked. And talk about lucrative! Who knew people would invest so much into their crowns? (I did)

I’m probably the most financially stable I’ve been in my whole life and it’s only up from here. Since I’ve started I’ve done celebrity hair, like Saint Jhn, I was part of a team that hand made custom loc wigs for companies like Paramount Studios. And most recently I styled the beautiful Angel McCoughtry 2x Olympic Gold Medalist.

I would’ve have accomplished any of that if I didn’t bet on me. And I’d do it all again. Moral of the story, there is so much life to be lived, don’t waste it living in fear.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Starting in the loc industry is not easy. I will say because of my bubbly personality and humility I was able to become one of the salons top earners, bringing in from 10-15k in salon service sales monthly. It’s really in how you carry yourself. And staying hungry is a huge part of it. I’m always looking for ways to improve.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay so boom, Sunday church then brunch at Just Brunch

Monday is Spa day! We’d spend the day getting pampered at Spaland in Duluth.

Tuesday is taco tuuuesdaay!! Hankook Taqueria will be seeing us. Best tacos ever, and the fries are to die for.

Wednesday we can explore Midtown, walk around Atlantic Station and catch a movie

Thursday we’re chilling

Then Friday night we’re catching all
The Caribbean vibes at Like Glue Fridays

Saturday we’re going shopping at Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Big Shoutout to Annette and Melissa from NappStar! If they didn’t take a chance on me I wouldn’t have the opportunities that I’ve been afforded, at least not as quickly as they made it happen! Super grateful for them. And big shoutout to the NappStar ATL team! I love those ladies!

Website: Flashylocs.com

Instagram: @flashylocs @ashleyelizabeth315

Image Credits
@_candorvisuals