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

Hi Carmen, what do you attribute your success to?
Honestly this is one of my favorite questions to answer because the answer will be the same every time. The main reason I started Thebraidingeffect is because of my 13 brothers and sisters. Without them I probably would of chose to live an ordinary life, I wouldn’t wake up with so much determination and thrive to make our lives better. They are the reason I fight so hard, they are the reason I keep going no matter how much I want to give up. Being an entrepreneur comes with many sleepless nights, many unpromising weeks even months, as well as (in my opinion) many self doubts. In these cases all I have to do is remind myself the reason I even started this business and every tear, long night, over booking, depression stage and self sabotage becomes so worth it. Because they are so worth it!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As stated before the name of my business is “Thebraidingeffect” I am a 20 year old hairstylist who specializes in knotless braids, but can do many other styles. The meaning behind my name is my ability to please my clients and teach the ones who have that natural effect of helping things grow. For me hair is my root in the industry, the shaft of my tree. It gave me the mindset of I can do more, like teach, mentor, run more than one business at once, brainstorm, manifest, meditate, love, multi-task, build, heal, trust, pray and most importantly SLEEP! Thebraidingeffect is just the face of many other businesses and I can’t wait to show you all what I have in stored!

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.
As for my girls and I we don’t really do much unless it like an holiday and we rent an Airbnb out in midtown. Our favorite thing to do is to go out and eat so a few of our favorite spots would be STK steak house, juicy crab, crab 404, bonefish grill, slutty vegan, etc. As for hookah lounges there is this main place we go called house of hookah, age limit, limits the spots around here lol.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The main part of my story starts with my cousin, Iyanna Moore. Growing up we always had eachother but her having me was making sure I stayed alive to see this day. Unfortunately I was suicidal with multiple attempts and the only person who seen it first hand and made me fight for a better life was her. For that you deserve the moon, the stars and more and Once I make it you’re getting all of it plus some! To my parents, who don’t know much about me. I lived a struggle life.. but haven’t we all? I say that to say we will no longer struggle no more. I made the choice, the promise to myself that my family will get the life they deserve so yes, you don’t know me but I can not wait to show you who the little girl you gave birth to became! To the person who gave me my last little push, the determination I needed to keep going, the sun I received to block out my darkness, the guidance I was showed to keep me on track. To my mentor, Mrs.Shari! Words can not express how thankful I am for you and I have yet to figure out how I am going to repay you for sticking with me even AFTER I graduated but once I do I hope it even amounts to all the love you have given me. To my Simon and Denis family, let the legends we were set out to see be emerge, let us hone our abilities and speak our truth, let our worry and sorrow pass, the world is ours. It’s time to go get it!

Website: https://carmencierrasbooking.as.me/schedule.php

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSaqrUkrmpO/?utm_medium=share_sheet

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/carmenns4/status/1435055842395574274?s=12

Yelp: http://yelp.com/biz_photos/thebraidingeffect-alpharetta?select=sfW8XrWxtNFfGj-j8WuFmg&utm_campaign=bizapp_ios_photo_share&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Youtube: https://youtu.be/V7bf3f-6cts

Image Credits
Photo bratz theme was shot by : shotbyebs
Family portrait was shot by: jcpenny

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.