Meet Vakarra Young | HairByDayBartenderByNight

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

Hi Vakarra, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Keep going or giving up is a great question. I’ve Battles with this decision many of times. With just knowing how simple it would be to conform and get a 9-5 with a basic work lifestyle. Makes me feel like it’s the easy way out. Instead of praying and coming up with new ways to reinvent myself and my business. This career choice of self and entrepreneurialism is not for the faint heart. I’ve always had a thing about me with pressure and was acknowledged by mentors as a diamond in the rough. I know that if I gave up now, if i decided to conform into a lifestyle that would help me become a little bit more structured I wouldn’t be happy! I’ve found my way of happiness and I know what it takes. I know that it will not be easy but it will Ultimately make me happy and that is why I could never give up.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Hair. My most truest self. I had a love hate thing with hair as a child. I started at about 8 years old doing my own then eventually friends and family. Once I got to high school my mom kind of forced it to me. Made it to what it seemed like to me,her thing. So of course as a rebel teenager I don’t want to do this anymore. My mom had told me don’t go to college go straight to hair school. That was something that made me feel like I wasnt making a decision on my own so I did the opposite. Went to college wasted money and time just to figure it out myself at 24 years old that this hair was going to give me the free lifestyle I craved. I could not longer work for a company and conform to that way of living by just simply waking up at the crack of dawn to get there lol.

I’ve always aimed to be different with my craft. By setting my myself to appear differently. I allowed my true character to form. My energy is one of kind so it draws a lot of people to me.

I am so proud of myself! Mentally. Still can not wait to see my finished self. I’ve had a lot of people I love go against me and not support me until it benefited them. Heard them with my own ears doubt me. Which is the toughest thing to overcome. Which I Constantly strive to do to this day.

Consistency is key and determination and you can’t have one with out the other. Many times I feel defeated and have to reboot myself to believe that I can still do anything.

It’s sooo hard to constantly pull yourself out your thoughts but eventually you reflect and it gets easier that next trigger around

I want the world to know that no matter who you are, indeed we all have a story, we have all been through something messed up one way or another. You can’t not let it control you. You must keep fighting for yourself first. Nobody will take care of you beside God but you! Make you happy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We definitely would have to hit Kuzzos for breakfast one of my favorite black owned restaurants in my very own neighborhood on Livernois. Make our way of course downtown to campus martus stop by another favorite bar and lounge Minnies which is blackowned as well. Who inspired my 3rd business mobile bartending. Make our way back to my neighborhood and stop at the bar I work at Comfort zone which is black owned on west 6mile and have lunch or dinner really good food and vibes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes most definitely! Rich dad poor dad change my life but first and foremost focus hope program.FHP tested me for weeks and showed me who I was really meant to become and that I couldn’t be conformed. Shout out to those who had to go backwards to see what forwards look liked. It’s not always easy for people with a bigger picture mind frame. You can’t just go out and perform the way other people see you fit. You have to bump your head and bump it again and figure it out for you! So shout out to you for finding your own way and your own happiness in this world.

Instagram: @hairpro_V. @V_withthemixes

Image Credits
Hairpro_v V_withthemixes Minnies (Johnny) Comfort Zone (Dennis Reed)