Meet Deja McCoy

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

Hi Deja, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I envisioned a place where I could bring like-minded artist together and create and create a space of peace, beauty and elegance. Ultimately, I didn’t want to keep clocking in and making someone else’s dream come true.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My brand, Defined Beauty, was established 3 years ago March 2021, right after Covid-19, I hadn’t decided that year that I would become an independent stylist but God had different plans. I was working at a popular salon here in Atlanta where it’s was great for my client but it was severely hurting my pockets. I knew I needed to make a change after 3 years so I started to gather my clients information, letting them know that I’ll be transitioning, in the process I got fired for getting those said clients phone numbers and had to start my business abruptly. It was challenging, but it was an obstacle I was willing to get through. I’ve been a hairstylist for 17 years, my earliest years as an artist started when I was 9. My little sister was my first difficult client which steered me from wanting to be a hairstylist when in the future. But hair and beauty never left me, I did my friend’s hair, cousins, neighbors and even college roommates. When I decided to change my major my mom wasn’t even surprised, she pushed me to find the best school with the highest passing results. During this time my mom had relocated and left me in Atlanta, my hardest part of my journey was doing it alone. I didn’t have my family physically here for any of my biggest accomplishments but they were there in virtual spirit. As explained before, my started a year after Covid. Starting a business in the middle of a pandemic was hard! Building trust, finding your target market and creating a brand when life is closed down was nearly impossible to most but Defined Beauty maintained the NUMBER ONE SALON in our salon building and area according to googles SEO.
God held me through all these times and that’s how we were able to push through the pandemic and any seasonal sadness, I believe that keeping God first and letting go of what I can’t control is the biggest lesson to learn in order to maintain success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First things first, we are hitting up a brunch spot if you are getting in, in the afternoon. Let’s say Gochea’s, it’s close to the airport but it’s a great Atlanta time, Next up is the High Museum, I hope you came on Friday! The High Museum on Friday is a vibe. If you’re tired after that I’ll wind down at my favorite Pho spot, Atlanta has a great melting pot of food and culture. For some weekend fun we can start out with Atlanta’s mobile bar, it takes you around the city to Atlanta’s hottest bars, on a mobile bar. We’ll most likely get dropped off at a strip, somewhere like Edgewood at Whiskey Mistress or maybe even somewhere elegant like the St. Regis Tea time. Lastly, in true Atlanta dinner fashion, I’d take her to what we are infamous for. Our wings in a gentleman’s club. A very fun night out to end the week here in the city.

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?
Shout Out to my mom, she supported me when I changed my biochemistry major to cosmetology. She is my number one fan, she actually refers to herself as Kris Jenner. My mom Ericka Lasley, goes really hard for Defined Beauty Hair Salon.

Website: www.definedbeautyhairsalon.com

Instagram: DefinedBeautyHairSalon

Linkedin: Deja McCoy

Twitter: DefinedBeautyHS

Facebook: Defined Beauty Hair Salon

Yelp: Defined Beauty Hair Salon

Image Credits
Photos: @browneyedphotography, @thegardenofeman, @arcvne