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

Hi Ehjaylyn, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking is very much a huge part of entrepreneurship. I always knew I wanted to be self employed but I spent my 20’s doing what was safe. I worked in corporate because I was too afraid to take a risk and bet on myself. Last year when the pandemic hit I realized that life is too short not to do what really makes you happy and I took the biggest risk of my life by leaving a secure salaried job and started working as an independent hairstylist. Since making that decision I have realized that everything I needed was waiting for me. I was able to successfully transition in spite of the pandemic.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I decided to become a natural hairstylist because I had a hard time finding someone I trusted to take care of my naturally kinky curly hair. I had to self teach myself a lot and realized that there were so many women who wanted to stop using chemicals in their hair but didn’t know how to maintain their hair without it because they relied heavily on their hairstylists. After constantly having others asking me to do their hair, I realized their was a demand for hairstylist like myself. What sets me apart is that I educate my clients on how to understand and take care of their natural curls. Having a hairstylist is important but knowing how to care for your hair is necessary to having healthy and beautiful hair. I help my clients in both ways.

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?
I’m fairly new to Atlanta. I moved here in the beginning of the pandemic but I love going to the beltline. There are restaurants and bars. You can take a walk, bikeride or rollerblade. I also love going to Piedmont park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The moment I read ‘You are a Badass’ by Jen Sincero, my entire perspective on my life and how I viewed myself changed. Up to that moment I didn’t have the courage to do what I really loved doing. It helped me to pursue the things in my life that made me happy and to believe that I’d be successful doing it.

Website: www.gracedbye.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/graced_by_e

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