Meet Desirea Magee

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

Hi Desirea, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I first became interested in becoming an entrepreneur I devoted all of my time to working. I’d miss events, holidays, parties, etc. because I was always working. I wanted to practice/work as much as I could to perfect my craft. I was young, so I didn’t mind missing out to become better at what I loved.

Once I became a parent, that perspective changed quickly. My son became my number 1 priority, and I made sure I devoted my attention and time to him. He deserved his mom full time, and honestly I wasn’t ready to make a full transition back to work. I didn’t want to miss the important milestones of his life, so I learned to work around his schedule. I would take 1-2 clients daily compared to the 5-7 I would normally take, and sometimes more than that. At first I was a nervous wreck because I was still considering everyone else’s feelings, but once I dived back in, I learned my clients would accommodate themselves accordingly. I am forever grateful to them! I have some amazing clients that respect me, my business, and what I have to offer to the world.

Here I am 5 years after opening salon doors, 4 years into motherhood, and my babies are growing together! I’ve learned to take care of myself first, because I can’t serve others from an empty cup. Somedays are harder than others, but my work/life balance has evolved as I have. I am proud of that, of me!

What should our readers know about your business?
Laced Affect Nails & Beauty is a beauty salon offering hair, makeup, and nail services. I, Desirea Magee, specialize in natural hair & acrylic/gel overlay nail services, offering all 3 services has always set me apart from others alongside standing firm on my business’s principles and regulations regardless of how anyone else feels. I am most proud of that, my resilience as a young, black, female entrepreneur, and my continued elevation as a business owner.

I come from a family of hair stylists. I watched my mom do hair and learned from her. Ultimately, I did not want to go this route career wise, but when you have a calling over your life you do what you’re assigned to. I started by doing my own hair, at 14y, then one of my best friends asked me to do her hair, and the “Laced Affect” continued. Mentally, I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was 14, today I am 27, and the knowledge definitely gets better with time. I’ve done hair in my mother’s kitchen, in my grandmother’s kitchen, I’ve been mobile: I had clients picking me up until I got my first car. No one ever judged me or made me feel bad—they just wanted their hair done. Honestly I felt good seeing the confidence boost I gave others. It made my heart smile.
I created a checklist of goals my senior year, 2015, and here I am today, a full-time entrepreneur of almost 8 years, November 2016, and managing a salon 5y, May 2019.

It definitely has not been an easy process.
While I was in cosmetology school, I began working at a local nail shop. I grew apart from the salon and transitioned to another salon shortly after I received my license. Eventually that did not last long, due to a difference in morals. property damage, and no apology or compensation. After 2 years in 2 shops, I transitioned home. I ran a home-based business for about 2 more years. After I received my AAS in Business Administration, Albany State University 2019, I was gifted the keys to my salon as a graduation gift!

Here is when I faced major challenges.
My business was great: clientele steadily rising & I was finally able to separate home from work. Most would think the pandemic caused issues being that I opened shop a year before it preceded. However, the pandemic wasn’t the issue, the building I rented was. In return, I was left paying for things I shouldn’t have. Nevertheless, I stuck it out, until I no longer chose to. I transitioned into a salon suite which cut out lots of overhead costs and unnecessary spending. This was a huge transition from my own space because everyone conducts their business in their own way, but I can honestly say I rather that transition over where I was.

I have 13 years worth of lessons learned. A few major ones I’d like to note is taking insight into budgeting, bookkeeping, business/credit funding, and proper ways to conduct business. Your brand begins with you, and you must act accordingly to sustain whatever it is you are trying to achieve.

Laced Affect is a safe space.

My mission is to impact people of all ages using my expertise as a beauty professional to create a safe space within the salon to help clients achieve their beauty goals. My overall vision is to inspire all people to obtain and maintain their highest self by providing a luxury experience excluded from day-to-day life challenges.

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.

I reside and provide services in Albany, GA. It is a small town, but a few of my fav spaces would include some of these spots; however, I do travel often to other cities if I want a different vibe.

Day 1: Arrival and Settling In

-Morning:

•Arrive at the Albany Airport.

•Transfer to Hilton Hotel.

•Check-in and freshen up.

– Afternoon:

•Visit Ray Charles Plaza

•Visit Cornerstone Coffee and Co.

– Evening:

•Relax or take a leisurely walk at Turtle Grove Park

•Early dinner at The Flint and rest to recover from travel.

Day 2: Major Sightseeing

-Morning:

•Visit Albany Museum of Art

•Visit Albany Flint River Aquarium

– Afternoon:

• Explore Albany Civil Rights Institute

•Lunch at The Spot Kitchen & Market

– Evening:

•Dinner at Cork’s Wine & Charcuterie

Day 3: Day Trip or Excursion

– Morning:

•Take a day trip Tallahassee Fl.

1.5 hour drive

– Afternoon:

•Visit Cascade Park

•Lunch at The Edison Restaurant or Harry’s Seafood

– Evening:

– Return to the base city.

•Casual dinner and relax at the hotel.

*Hilton Hotel Restaurant

Day 4: Immersive Experience

– Morning:

•The Clay Spot or Laviano Jiu Jitsu

-Afternoon:

•Lunch break at A Better Way Grocers-Community Market

-Evening:

•Shopping at local boutiques

*Raw Elegance

*The Show Room

•Dinner at Bianca’s Restaurant

Day 5: Relaxation Day

-Morning:

•Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast.

•Visit Lake Loretta or The Veranda

•Visit local Spas

*ICan Dee Body Spa

*Klean Kanvas Wax Bar

*Southwest Ga Colonics

– Afternoon:

•Bike Riding (Downtown, Albany Ga)

•Lunch at The Catch Seafood Room & Oyster Bar

-Evening:

•Enjoy Radium Springs or Flint River Dock

•Casual dinner at Henry’s Fine Edibles

Day 6: Final Sightseeing and Shopping

– Morning:

•Visit Morning Café coffee shop

– Afternoon:

•Visit local boutiques

*Head Over Heels

*1018 Boutique

*Blush

•Lunch at Wingbox and Seafood or Austin’s Firegrill & Oyster Bar

-Evening

•Enjoy a special dinner at Decanter International Chop House

•Visit TCBY for dessert

Day 7: Departure

-Morning:

•Last-minute packing and check-out.

•Breakfast at Temp Coffee

-Afternoon:

•Transfer to the airport or train station.

•Depart for home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, I would like to dedicate this shoutout my mother, Kkyslir D. Magee, for always working hard and putting forth her best efforts. Now that I am a mom, I have a different understanding of certain circumstances and experiences. I will forever give her, her flowers. You are immensely appreciated; I love you Mother!

Secondly, I would like to dedicate this shout out to Jeronda Cade and Jamal Reynolds, educators/mentors, for assuring me that I could be/do whatever I wanted without conforming to everyone else’s “norm”. I graduated Salutatorian of my high school class and most of the educators felt I should have gone to a university, in which I did, instead of taking an entrepreneurial approach to life. Mrs. Cade introduced me to vision boards, gave me insight on analyzing things deeper than surface level, and writing out goals to fully see and execute my plans. She has supported me every step of the way and I will forever appreciate and love her. Coach Reynolds always delivered words of encouragement when I needed them most, whether it was good, bad, or ugly, and I am so thankful because it really helped with my growth as an individual and entrepreneur. Thank you so much Coach!!!

Educators spend majority of their time with students, and many don’t understand or know what students are facing once they go home. These two individuals poured into me in ways that I needed to conquer this journey. It costs nothing to be kind, and they both exude what I would want my child to receive in an educator; Again, I thank you both!!!

I would like to shoutout my son’s father, Marlyn Banks, you are appreciated!!! My initial transition into entrepreneurship was spur of the moment. Long story short: I worked at a local nail salon, someone used my e-file and broke it. I was bombarded by this incident when I came in to service a client. The salon owner/workers didn’t have the slightest care in the world. I packed all of my things and left. I was furious and at that point decided I would no longer do nails.
Once I updated him on the events, he took me to Walmart and purchased any and everything I could possibly need to service my clients. I then set up shop in my living room using this vanity table I had just purchased from Ikea. Literally the BEST thing that could have happened for my journey: two years later, he gifted me with the keys to my first salon, walls painted in my favorite color, surrounded by the people that love and support me. That was the transition of “Laced by Des” to “Laced Affect”.

Lastly, I would like to dedicate a shoutout to my clients, if you knew “Laced by Des” you’re a real one, and to all who know/will know, love. and support “Laced Affect” thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
As I am typing this, I am crying and smiling simultaneously. Self-doubt sometimes creeps up, but I will never stop going for myself or my business!

Thank you to any and everyone who has ever supported me in anyway, I am truly so thankful! Stay tuned for more, I’m always evolving <3

Website: https://linktr.ee/biggbossdes

Instagram: @lacedaffect/@desireamagee

Facebook: Laced Affect

Image Credits
Belinda Vickerson Desirea Magee