Meet Meca Sica | Natural Hair Braider

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

Hi Meca, why did you pursue a creative career?
I perused a creative career because art is who I am. I grew up in a Haitian family where music, parties, cooking, and language plays a huge factor in my culture. Being around so much vibrant things is what made me get into doing hair. I always loved how art and creativity made me feel and how it brings unity. It’s in my blood, so I don’t really think I perused my career path it chose me. As a young girl, I’d watch my aunts take time to do each other’s hair on Saturday’s. They’d have their personal roller set boxes with shampoos, conditioners, and portable dryer. It amazed me! I was so intrigued by the magic they’d create with their hair, especially when doing my hair. It came to a point as I got older, my aunts had kids of their own so I was left to do mine myself. From the age of 13 to now I’ve taught myself how to cornrow, box braid, do my own relaxers, dye my hair, bleach it and so forth. I’ve had my fair share of mistakes while learning how to perfect my craft. I would practice on my aunts then cousins, after a while family friends noticed my work and became my first set of clients. With the little money I made here and there, I decided to apply myself to cosmetology school in 2018 with just $100 to my name. I knew I’d be taking a risk, with no money to my name, I had that drive, quitting was no option so I invested in what I love. It was difficult my first few weeks learning how to do styles out of my comfort zone, cutting and burning my hands every other day. It was days where I would starve, but I’d choose school over a meal because I had no option to drop out. I kept my head in my craft up until I made it to my last 5-6 months. I became the most awarded student in my class for bringing in the most revenue and clientele to school. I didn’t expect to win anything because I did it because the connections I made with clients gave me joy seeing their reaction to their hair each time I finished a service. I felt like I was winning each time I was able to give them a new look and make them feel brand new. I completed cosmetology school in July 2019 with 3 golden scissor pins followed by my diploma. Fast forward we’re in 2021 and I’m amazed how life changes in just a few blinks. I created my business out of thin air and I was able to work through a pandemic, do my first hair shoot, meet some amazing creatives and build my portfolio. With the inspiration of my aunts and the struggle to success, I’m still learning and growing everyday. I have much more to do with my craft, more people to bless each time that I get the opportunity to service them, I just love it here and I’m extremely blessed by the opportunities God keeps making for me. I just know I didn’t choose this career path, it chose me and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is called Stitched N’ Slick by Mimi which I created in 2019. I got the name stitched and slick from the popular style of stitch braids which I wasn’t too proficient at doing and the word slick from how sleek natural hair can get when it’s neatly done. With practicing how to get the two done I came up with the name Stitched N’ Slick. What sets me apart from others is my aura, the vibe I give off to my clients, the way we’re able to click without knowing each other personally. I’m able to be transparent with them and that’s what attracts people to me in a good way aside from the quality service I give. People assume I’m like other social media stylists until they get in my chair and we start kicking it as if we’ve crossed paths before. I’m most proud of how my work was able to make it to Ivy Park. One of my clients who’s a model, got a gig to shoot for Ivy Park and that helped boost my business page, but mostly proved that hard work and consistency does pay off. I got to where I am because I come from an immigrant family who came to this country with nothing and didn’t know the language. I’m a first generation Haitian American grand/daughter/niece of my family. Everything I do impacts my family in any way, so when I decided to take my craft seriously I made sure that if I took this path, I would become successful at it and that my family’s blood, sweat and tears didn’t go to waste. It wasn’t easy, but because of my drive I made it here. I’m not exactly where I want to be right now, but I can say I’m proud of my accomplishments so far. I overcame challenges by prayer mostly. My everyday life became my Bible, I slept, dreamt, and breathed my craft to the point where this is all I have and know. The lessons I’ve learned was to not get distracted by others success, mine will come eventually. Watching other people get theirs only made me fall off my game. But when I focused on myself and how to better my business, everything fell into place. I can’t deny that I’m better than anyone else, we’re all trying to eat out here; but I became my own competition and made sure I did something out of my comfort zone just to elevate myself and how I did my job. I’d love to hear how my story inspired someone who comes from immigrant families, who wants to create that business, who doesn’t have the funds and made it happen. It doesn’t matter who you are, your background, how much money you have. Once you want something you have to get it done. Don’t let procrastination stop you. If I can do it, so can you!

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.
I’d take my friend to the museum of illusions, or the museum of natural history, grab a quick bite and get citibikes and ride through Central Park, Columbus circle, the brooklyn bridge. Some dope spots to eat at would be Ho’Bruh Tacos, Shaking Crab, Wing’s Miller, and my favorite bar Mother’s Ruth. I’m a Brooklyn baby, so anything located in Flatbush up to Williamsburg, Downtown, Bay Ridge have some amazing spots to eat and drink at. And for the city which is Manhattan; locations Soho, 34th Street, 42nd Street and Harlem is where all the magic is. From the art galleries, shopping centers, boutiques, restaurants, bars, tourist attractions, the city never sleeps.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to send a huge shoutout to the people who made my business come to life. @kabiruloya on Instagram (Brooklyn based photographer)who’s a high school friend of mine, he was able to capture these amazing pictures for my first business photoshoot. I’d also like to shoutout two mua’s who I went to high school as well @starrblushstudio (Starr) & @chelldidit (Rotchell) for doing an amazing job on the glam they did on my models and I for my shoot. And lastly I’d love to shoutout @nayz.ona (Nayhla), @ktchenaryy (Zenobia), and @queensapphiire (Kanealia) who went out of their way to be my lovely models for my hair shoot. These people are the reason why my business blew up in the first place, they believed in my vision and made it come to life. So on my part I thank them for always creating and inspiring me.

Website: https://stitchednslickbymimi.as.me/schedule.php

Instagram: https://instagram.com/stitchednslick?utm_medium=copy_link

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mimisinger.98

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCppsOX5ymhRX_o8cLCbAiaA

Image Credits
Nayhla Nazon- Model Zenobia Bholi- Model Myself (Photographer for my photoshoot- kabiruloya) Kevin Tate- Model (Photographer for Ivy park- theikphoto)