Meet LaTonya Walker | Licensed Cosmetologist & Real Estate Agent

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

Hi LaTonya, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?

I’m inspired by Life and Change.

At a young age I found myself in one abusive relationship after another that combined, consumed 15 years of my life that I couldn’t get back..  I kept telling myself that maybe I was the problem especially because it happened repeatedly. My self-esteem was so low, and I believed that if I loved him enough, he would change, that I could change him.

Both situations made me feel like this was it and maybe I was the problem. The abuse had gotten so bad in my last relationship that when I finally saw a way out, I Left and never looked back. 15 additional years of healing, filled with counseling, learning to love and be the best version of myself so that I could really give my children the love they deserved. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been! I embrace Life and everything that comes with it, the good, bad and uncomfortable and every day that God allows me to wake up is another chance at living the life I deserve.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I’ve been a licensed Hair Stylist for 18yrs and a Real Estate Agent for 2yrs. I love building relationships with both new and existing people. What sets me apart is my love for what I do and my love of seeing others happy and loving themselves.

My philosophy in the salon is when you look good, you feel good. My whole mission is to teach my clients how to love themselves and their hair by educating and trying to change their mindset. Especially my younger clients with textured hair, I love seeing their reaction when they really see their hair potential for the 1st time. I even have my youngest clients wearing bonnets to maintain their style at night. Some clients only visit a salon a few times a year and with the pandemic, salon visits were limited even more. I want my people to have the knowledge to maintain their hair between appointments and see the beauty within themselves.

In the Real Estate Industry, I like to get to know clients and pay attention to them from the first time we meet. During showings, I pay a lot of attention to body language and conversation to get a sense of how they feel about a property. I’ve learned from being a people pleaser how to spot other people pleasers and to encourage them to be patient, stay true to themselves and trust that what’s for them will come.

This journey has been quite an interesting one with many trials and errors. I’ve learned from my mistakes I’ve made. Lost a lot of clients and gained more, it happens. All money isn’t good money, and everyone isn’t for you, just like you aren’t for everyone. These are all life lessons that helped me grow.

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.

Nashville is known as Music City, where so many people come to follow their dreams. We would definitely check out the African American Music Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and The Frist Center Museum to satisfy our love of the arts. 5th and Broadway for food and shopping. Slim & Huskey’s Pizza, Willie B’s, Downtown, Demonbreun, and Division Street District. During the summer we will have to hit up Nashville Shores and Percy Priest Lake for a little fun in the sun.

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?
My children, close family, friends & clients who have been here through the ups and downs! I definitely have to shout out my Granny Dorothy. She taught me Everything I know! From being a mother, woman and just a good person. She loved everybody no matter what their situation was. She was a mother to those that needed one and didn’t think twice. I was raised in the church and literally spent almost all my time there. To be honest it seems like if the church was open, we were there lol. At the time, I would’ve rather been somewhere else but looking back I was exactly where I needed to be. It was all a part of God’s plan and molded my relationship with him. I was so close to my granny that I would pray every night that God wouldn’t take her from me until I was able to take care of myself. God stepped in and did just that. I feel like God was preparing me for 2 years for her passing. I was grown with 3 children, and she was able to have a relationship with all 3. Because of her spiritual relationship with God, I was able to form my own relationship with him. I didn’t know what I was going to do with 3 kids, one of whom is Autistic, and both my daddy and granny had passed away. They were my family; they were who we all knew! God knew exactly what I was going to do. Once I started talking to him and trusting him, I started to understand Why I was always at church and why my granny was able to be who she was to Everyone. My walk with God has brought me through the many rough patches of life that no one knew I was going through but him. I cried many nights just talking to God and asking him to show me this and that sign. At 1st I didn’t see the signs I was asking for, but I didn’t realize the signs were there, I just didn’t want to see them. I realize that God has a plan for all of us and we may not understand our journey, but little do we know without the tests we wouldn’t have a testimony.

My middle son LaCory who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2, has also been a huge influence. Watching him grow into himself despite his different ability, has taught me Never to give up no matter what circumstances arise. He’s the kindest person I know and sees the good in everyone whether they are nice to him or not. He has taught me that things aren’t as simple as they seem, sometimes you have to look deeper and pay attention to what a person isn’t saying to really understand them.

I have learned to be patient and just listen to everyone because you never know the situation. This has been huge in both my Cosmetology and Real Estate careers with  communication between clients. So many of the clients and people I come in contact with have things going on in their life and by the end of our time together, we’ve managed to have a whole therapy session lol. God has given me the gift of hair, communication, empathy, experience, kindness and patience that I’m able to relate to others which has been huge in my business mission.

Website: www.tonyastyles.net

Instagram: @tonyastyles35

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaTonyaWalkerKellerWilliams, https://www.facebook.com/hairbeyondyou