Meet Shaina Aldridge | Braider/Natural hairstylist

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

Hi Shaina, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
To give up is never an option for me. One thing I’ve learned in life is that failing is necessary but to give up is simply quitting. I don’t know what to fix if I don’t fail. I don’t know how to become better if I don’t fail. Failing gives me the opportunity to try again. Failing awakens my ability to be greater and do greater things. Failing hurts, but it’s a part of my growth, my story. To give up to me simply means to quit. It means to stop trying. It means to walk away. If something doesn’t work out, it just doesn’t work out. So if I ever “gave up” it wasn’t because I threw the towel in but it’s because I gave it my best and it just wasn’t meant to be.

We can all be good at something, but sometimes even the things we’re good at just aren’t meant to be.

What should our readers know about your business?
I go by Styles by Shaina. I am a Licensed Natural hairstylist/braider located in Memphis, TN. I have been licensed for about 6 years but I’ve been braiding for over 20 years. I’ve serviced many people from different age groups. I’ve set up classes for inspiring braiders as well as classes for teenage girls that are in highschool.
I’ve traveled to different cities and even won a blindfold competition in Atlanta by braiding fast blindfolded.
Braiding has always been a passion of mine since I was a little girl and I love what I do. It’s therapeutic for me.
For most of my clients, I’m more than just their braider. We talk. We laugh, sometimes cry and we will even play some praise and worship music on the tv especially if you’re my first morning client.
Servicing my clients gives me the ability to help them feel good about themselves because we all know life is already hard. Adding to someone’s beauty by doing a simple style encourages them to look in the mirror, smile and continue to tackle on their day to day living.
I’m extremely proud of how I’ve faced things that were thrown at me. Being an entrepreneur, I’ve had some high highs and some low lows. My lows have encouraged me stay the course. My highs have shown me that people see me and see what I’m capable of. They both have taught me that no matter what, God is good!
When I first began to pursue being a hairstylist full time I was scared. I told God my plans for my life without realizing he already had his plans for my life. Working a 9 to 5 getting guaranteed money was easy, but to quit and solely depend upon someone booking you was a test.
Prayerfully my clientele increased tremendously and I had so much support along the way. .
Once I passed my exam from Institute of Beauty located in Memphis, TN in 2017 I had to complete my salon hours at the FabLab salon. Upon entering I already had a salon set up for me, I just needed to do my hours and head out the door but boy was I wrong.
Tangela Culture, the owner of FabLab hair salon helped me in unimaginable ways. She offered advice and so many different resources.. She showed me how to conduct business professionally. How to never stop learning and going to classes. How to communicate effectively when servicing clients and most importantly, what I need to fix personally to run an effective business.
It’s important to have someone to help you in areas you may know nothing about.
Has it been easy?
No
Has it been worth it?
Yes
I will do this all over again if I had to..

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?
I would love to use this time to shoutout God first and foremost and my mother Janice Ransfer. God prepared this moment for me a long time ago and I truly believe that he has more in store for me. I wouldn’t be where I am nor would I be blessed with the gift he has blessed me with if it wasn’t for him.
My mother, Janice Ransfer, is truly a blessing. She believed in me when I was a little girl. I remember for Christmas she bought me my first mannican and I braided and braided that dolls head as much as I could. I talked to her about my dreams all the time. I wanted to pursue nursing and do hair on the side. She didn’t doubt my abilities at all, she always encouraged me to always put God first in whatever career choice I chose and to also do my best because in her words I was cold with them braids lol. She was a single mother, who provided for me and my siblings the best way she could and she did an amazing job. My mom is really my hero. I’ve seen her overcome so much physically, mentally and emotionally that even when she was at her lowest, she never gave up on me. I love her so so much for that. No matter where this takes me, she’s definitely coming with me.

Website: www.stylesbyshaina.as.me

Instagram: @Shaina_Aldridge

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sransfer?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Jacorri Washington