Meet Gemma Moodie | Master cosmetologist and loctician

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

Hi Gemma, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is the ability to keep learning. In this industry there is always a new skill to learn, a more effective way of doing services and keeping up with trends. Its super important to stay grounded and humble. Too many stylists nowadays don’t show enough respect to those who came before them and created a lane for the creatives that follow.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a down to earth black Brit! born in the UK with Caribbean heritage. Jamaican and Dominican grandparents. raised in Atlanta from the age of 11. I come from a family of aunties and cousins who were boss braiders but never took the skill to a professional level. I inherited the skill from my mother and learned to braid my own hair because she was exhausted after doing every one else’s. In high school all the boys would come to my house to get their hair braided and I quickly realised how lucrative this industry was. After high school I got my cosmetology license in 2004 and quickly began building a clientele with Locs. I dove quickly into the natural hair side of things and then took my skills to back home to South London. There I won natural hair stylist of the year, got front page magazine features, traveled to Paris twice a year styling for haute couture fashion week and London fashion week. I also had the privilege of styling celebrities and premier league footballers.

I’ve had such a blast achieving all of the goals I’ve set for my career and I didn’t really find it difficult because I absolutely love what I do. I’m super passionate about my work and take pride in meeting my clients needs and expectations. Some of the challenges Ive had along the way is dealing with ego’s. Ego’s definitely get in the way and hold business’s and creatives back. The worst thing you can do to a creative is put them in a box. I overcome such challenges by being as transparent and focused as possible. When you believe in your abilities and intentions, no box can contain you!

I want the world and Atlanta to know that Im back in town, Im here to educate, offer great services and lead in the natural hair community.

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?
Well I must say I’m a bit of a home body, but I would definitely take friends visiting the A to Atlantic Station for a walk around and good food and drinks, My Uk fam love going to the Martin Luther King memorial and museum to experience some African American history. Stone Mountain Park is also one of my favourite place to go to. I couldn’t let them leave without hitting up a Caribbean party vibe.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shout out to Miss Davis at Pro way hair school, Dan Brown from the former Exodus Barber shop, Hype Coiffure family in London, 5ive the stylist my mentor, Michelle Sultan who trusted me with her celebrity clientele, Pat from the Lusters international team and Melissa and Annette from Nappstar ATL for extending a platform. And last but certainly not least my RIDE OR DIE CLIENTS both here in the A and in the UK!

Website: www.gemzzie.com

Instagram: gemma_moodie

Image Credits
Black Beauty Magazine narcissistic photography Nevilles hair and beauty femelle studios