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

Hi Lareisha, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always been well adept in the arts department. Before barbering all I did was draw. I would stay up til 4 in the morning most nights just drawing. I showed my cousin one of my pictures and she told me maybe I need to look into art as a career. One night I thought about how I could make money from art? I also had a love for hair. I’ve never liked working for anyone either and I saw a quote online that said “…how do you go and clock in for another company and come home and never work for yourself…” So I engrained that in my mind and called a barbershop one day and talked him into giving me a chance. I was in school at the time also for cosmetology, and I honestly just took a leap of faith and believed that I could master barbering because it’s a form of art.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being behind the barber chair has always been the place I’m the most comfortable. To me a head is like a canvas and giving my client the look they want to achieve is what makes me the proudest. Although being a female barber hasn’t always came at such ease. For example I’ve had a dude tell me he didn’t want a female cutting his hair. That kind of made me less confident at first. I was encouraged by other barbers who told me to keep going. I’ve also learned to not take things personally and to keep an open mind when dealing with people. I just want everyone to know to come get these cuts before the price goes up!!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite places to go to in the city to eat are municipal market, slutty vegan, Pho 24, and the flying biscuit. I also like to go to piedmont park every now and then and walk around. I enjoy the Atlanta nightlife and frequent places like Members only off Ralph Mcgill, Kiss Ultra Lounge, or Peter St. If it’s a laid back kind of day I enjoy going to the AMC theater’s, paint-balling, or the Roswell Mill.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank Mr. Gregory Rutledge CEO and founder of Atlanta Barber Institute located at 212 Edgewood Ave. He pushes me and steers me in the direction of success and finding his school has been a blessing. Thank you as well to all the people who come and sit in my chair, for without y’all I’d be out of business!

Website: https://linqapp.com/ree

Instagram: Grit_91_

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