Meet Ngina Thomas | Luxury Salon & Spa Owner | Speaker | Author

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

Hi Ngina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
While I knew I was called to leadership and entrepreneurship, I did not do anything deliberate to make it happen. I often say “My life is a reflection of moving when I hear God speak. In syncopation with His perfect will always yields the best results.

I was asleep on my prison bunk bed when He sent a dream of my designing the interior of what I understood would be my very own salon. Years later, it was time to make it happen. With fresh vision of a modern decor styled tastefully executed aesthetic, we crafted an atmosphere conducive to the continual growth of a unique beauty and wellness brand.

I always begin my projects with the worth of the people in mind. I begin with what I want people to feel like as they experience what we’ve curated. I want people to feel worthy, loved, welcomed and embraced. On top of that, I want them satisfied with our services.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Studio Chique is a luxury salon & wellness spa located in NE Washington, DC. We have recently expanded and relocated into our newly renovated luxury space boasting a whopping 4600 square feet!

We offer an array of haircare, luxury extensions and coloring services as well as an entire suite of wellness focuses beyond skin care. From colonics, hydrafacial, head spa, spa capsuled sauna therapy, body scrubs, massage and so much more, we are equipped to care for the entire well being and aesthetic enhancement.

We are the only luxury brand of this nature in the Washington DC area and surrounding and among the things that set us apart is the exquisite designed space offering such a well-rounded blend of luxury, sophistication and comfort under one roof.

This roof covers the property of a little black girl that grew up to be a dynamic black women of purpose, identity and power. My life story and the passions developed throughout my journey of self discovery and self mastery are what sets apart everything that I do.

I built this business from the ground up with no business model, mentor, or loans. Brick by brick, was Studio Chique established 12 years ago by way of a vision God gave me while asleep on my top bunk during my time in federal prison many years ago. I built my business because I am called to this. My feelings caught up with revealed purpose so I do enjoy it, but I wouldn’t wish this on anyone that is not called.

Building and expanding the way we have was by far the hardest thing I had ever done. Inititally, building the business had its challenges, however, I was able to overcome them by applying pressure to pressure and walking in faith, strategy and patience. With a strong prayer life as my foundation I continually grow in the understanding that I’m really not alone, even though the bills are all on me.

Some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way are to start out with a mindset of “No matter what I will not stop!” People will be people and your good heart cannot necessarily change that. Always build with a plan in mind and revisit the plan often to ensure your strategy is sound. Another wisdom I acquired was to establish boundaries sooner than later and take nothing for granted. My final lesson I am led to share is that I learned to leverage in business building. When I was started, I did so with the disposition of refusing to build a business in debt. Instead, I built it with my own money. While this may seem honorable, it was not wise and set me up for business success with simultaneous personal financial failure.

I am an overcomer who has been called long before I became. I want others to know that the value placed on your life is beyond your own self awareness or self-service. You are the value needed to enhance other people’s lives. By the grace of God, I built a brand that identifies and honors the incredible worth and value of the guests we serve now and in the future. They were worth the sacrifice. Studio Chique was constructed with the worth of the people at the forefront. What we have created is an oasis of excellence and opulence for our community of progressive men and women in need of all that we have to offer.

My story is a story of redemption. How God took this insecure chocolate, abandoned, rejected young girl and molded her into a marketplace mogul of increasing impact speaks loudly that He can do anything with a willing vessel.

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.
If my best friend were visiting the city, her time would begin with a self care day at Studio Chique! It would begin with some well needed pampering and a fresh hair do to top off her spa services.

We would find a great comedy show at MGM Grand or Capital One Arena and head to Tyson’s Galleria for some shopping. After or in between we would have to fine dine at Ocean Prime, Eddie V’s or Maestro’s in DC!

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?
As a pioneer builder, I give honor to God, the Ultimate Creator who has graced me to build unique business models and brands by His grace. I am forever grateful to my mother and #1 cheerleader as well as family and friends; ‘ however, regarding what He has called me to, even my mother acknowledges the hand of God alone on this.

I look to pioneering leaders such as Dr. Cindy Trimm, Apostle Cynthia Thompson, and the like whose global leadership and impact has been a reminder of my unique authority and identity. As a marketplace leader and woman of power and grace, my standard is beyond the personal. Rather, I live my life and conduct my business by kingdom standards. So the persons I look up to are those in whom I find God’s standards and/or principles at work.

The blueprint of my particular business and ministry models have all derived from divine vision.

Website: https://www.studiochique.com

Instagram: @Studiochique

Linkedin: Ngina L Thomas

Facebook: Studio Chique

Yelp: Studio Chique

Youtube: NginaLynnThomas

Image Credits
Professional images by MD2 Creatives