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

Hi Diamond, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
There is absolutely no way to go into business for yourself without risk. The biggest risk is betting on yourself. As a entrepreneur your business begins and end with you! You have to make the decision that whatever it takes to get the job done you will do it. There is no one to blame and no one to complain to. There is work to be done daily. Not only must you work on your business constantly but work on yourself. Being a leader requires discipline, patients, diligence, and integrity. You must set the standard. I would say the second biggest risk you take is in hiring and building your team. Your team will be the bones of your company and these decisions can make or break your business. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In 2016 I opened a beauty salon/salon management company called Don’t Touch My Hair By Hollywood. It is a unique beauty salon that specializes in senior pampering and grooming. There are so many people who are left out and overlooked and our elders should not be one. It is such a rewarding experience to be able to serve, talk to and pamper our clients. They have lived so much life and have so much to offer with their wisdom and not to mention wit! Not only that we have fun! What I want people to remember is that the same spirit in the 8 year old you is the same spirit in the 90 year old you. People all deserve the same love, respect and care and if we all do our part the world can be filled with more and more love and appreciation.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to cook but Atlanta has some great restaurants and my girls and I love a good place to eat and hang out! Some of my favorite places are Roc South Cuisine which offers a unique twist on southern comfort food, Kaboob land which being a Michigan girl gave me a love and appreciation for good Mediterranean, and Peters street which has tons of black owned bars and delicious restaurants. There are many beautiful attractions as well. The Botanical garden is absolutely amazing and in the winter the lights are stunning.

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?
At two years old my mother passed away from breast cancer. Although I lost my mother I gained a village of people God has placed in my life. My grandmother Alice Thompson and father Julius Kelly did a outstanding job of giving me unconditional love and ensuring that I had the best people around me. The key thing they instilled in me was a since of community. Till this day I have a village of friends and family that encourage me, believe in my dreams and continue to support me in everything that i do.

Website: http://dtmhairbyhollywood.com/
Instagram: dtmhairbyhollywoodsalon
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diamond-hollywood-kelly-bba4b559/
Facebook: DTM Hair By Hollywood, LLC

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