Meet Jakecia White | Owner/Master Braider of StylesByKeys Braiding Studio

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

Hi Jakecia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
What was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process was I had to get away from begin harassed at my 3rd shift job. I was mentally and physically over my life. Nothing seen to be going right after my job hired this new supervisor for my department on my shift.

I had to choose to take a different way cause this was not going to work anymore. I went from working 8 1/2hrs shift to 12hrs shifts, and painting my studio and doing the floors for a week. Going off of 2hrs of sleep every day until I was wrongfully let go. I was confused, scared, and lost, but I knew God was in control at that moment. I knew something had to change for me.

Trying to build clientele was very hard I had been living in my area Columbia, SC for about about 5 years. Suffer from deep depression after losing my father, step father, grandfather and lil brother. I was sitting in my house not knowing what I needed to do. I ask God “I can’t do this without you anymore. I know I have a problem with rushing things for them to go my way. But if you can please lead me, I know you won’t lead me wrong. Use me God for whatever your plan is use me to where I can be closer to you. And to take this dark cloud off of me. Amen “

From that moment I started to take my work from previous appointments. And begin to post on all my social media’s heavy. In different hair groups from my area (Columbia, SC and surrounding areas). To throughout the state to other states close to South Carolina. To other states far cause I knew from my fellow hair leaders people will pay for quality and travel without a problem. I come from a background of entrepreneurs in my family to my grandfather to my father. So this was in my blood, and I knew God didn’t have everything happening to me for no reason. It was a lesson and a eye opener. As the months went on so began to have people come from other local towns at least 45 to hr away. Just to sit in my chair to their hair braided. I had been braiding since 9 years old self taught. And just to think people we’re traveling to me to get service by me was mind blowing. I even had people coming from Florida, Augusta, Atlanta, Raleigh, Charlotte, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Conway, Florence, New York, Mississippi and even Jamaica.

I started out with a small studio it was enough space to do my clients hair and be comfortable. My clientele began to grow even though I had my days of no clients for a day, a week sometimes a month. But I knew I asked God to remove me from my 3rd shift job and what you ask for you can receive it. But just know that you will go through storms, road blocks, and chaos in the process to get where you ask to be at. Nothing is easy as a entrepreneur nor running a business it takes a lot of time, effort, dedication, focus, passion, love and more.

I am now in a bigger studio have over 600 clients. Some come more then others but I always accept new clients by word of mouth or them seeing my social media post. I still promote myself like I’m a big time rapper or someone lol about to have a concert. But it works for me, to help grow my studio more and my other business I have open during Covid shut down. As a Master braider license in South Carolina and North Carolina. I love to be creative and grow every day in my field. Hair is my life and I’m very very passionate about it. It’s not always about the money it’s more of the experience that my clients have. In this industry braiders are pushed back and not thought about. But this industry will know who Stylesbykeys is and I am a proud Master Braider.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
StylesByKeys has came a long way from doing hair in the house part time and working full time jobs. To becoming a mobile Braider for Columbia and surrounding areas including my hometown North Myrtle Beach,SC. Still working full time jobs and getting off that morning and jumping on a set of box braids as if I didn’t work 3rd shift. I have been found by other companies such as Urban Beauty Hair company, which I have been a signed Braider by them since 2019, RawArtists was found by the head director and ask to showcase my work in Charlotte,NC. Feb 2020. And have been recognize by well know movie actors, rap artists, famous Dj’s and more. And even have had my videos of myself and clients go viral. I even became a Ombré brows specialist/tattoo artist in 2020. And started a online store after we opened back up from begin shut down

Sometimes I wow myself at what my hands can do and create on all my beautiful clients. Different texture hair, lengths, races, kids to adults and male and female. Coming into this opening up my business wasn’t easy I faced a lot not knowing if I was doing it correct or not. I knew a lot of people in the beauty industry but no one would help with just basic stuff. Not saying they had to but just answer a simple question wouldn’t hurt. So I had to do my own research and figure everything out on my own. The first couple months were tuff especially since I didn’t know what I was doing lol. But I asked God to use me and lead me down the path he has for me. Things were slow since all my clients that had when I was mobile wouldn’t come to me. So I had to start back over with clients plus begin harassed at my job I had at the time. As the months went I just kept working on my learn new styles, and perfection my work and posted all day and every day I could if I wasn’t sleep or at work. I learn that in this hair industry braiders aren’t recognized we are push to the side and not consider a “Real” stylist because we choose to do something that a lot of barbers and hairstylist don’t like to do. Yes some braiders just do it cause of what they see others doing but for the ladies and males like myself that take this as a piece of art when it brings out a different person when we finish our clients hair is breathtaking. In this industry a lot of people don’t like to see someone or others to be ahead so they may not help you because you are a threat to them. And you not even where you want to be and just starting out but they see it on you. Always stay humble no matter where you get to in this hair industry. Stay true to your self and protect your peace and brand. Always be open to learning, people will criticize you, your work and even your clients. But you basically just eventually ignore bully’s on social media, and in person.

I have been through a lot of traumatizing events in my life. Sometimes back to back but I refuse to let that be my life. And put my blood, sweat, and tears in my brand and myself. You have to have tuff skin cause there is nothing easy about begin a business owner nor the stylist. You have your days where you are booked up for weeks at a time but you also have your weeks where you aren’t and your books are empty. I will never sugarcoat and only tell the good cause in order to get to that point. You have to face challenges, storms, trails and more. To see what you asked for or manifest about.

Always push your brand , products, and more link to your business all the time. Nobody won’t take serious a person who don’t post nor share anything. But having a business no one will think you are still doing it cause you aren’t letting people know. Keep pushing and pray over your business, speak life in your business. If you need help find a good life coach and business coach I had one and her name is Mrs. Shavetta she is the truth and so sweet And help me along the way when I first started out. Strive to be fantastic and not perfect cause nothing is perfect just close to it.

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.
Columbia has things in vista like wet Willes, wild wings, long horns plus twin peaks. When I had a long week or day if it’s not bad out I just get on my motorcycle and ride the city or have a girls night and get food and drinks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My grandma is my heart and deserves all the recognition. She has supported my dreams even when I didn’t see it for myself. I told her whenever I make it on my own with my business I will financially take care of her and I will always make sure she is taking care of.

Website: https://square.site/book/5ENF9DV4EM6JN/stylesbykeys-braiding-studio-llc-columbia-sc

Instagram: @stylesbykeys

Facebook: StylesByKeys Braiding Studio LLC

Other: TicTok: @stylesbykeys