Meet Valquencia Winston | Loctician

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

Hi Valquencia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started doing locs in college. I attended Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens FL. One of my friends always asked for a retwist. I had no idea what I was doing at one point. But the more and more I did my friend hair. The more I realized how much I enjoyed it. It was around 2010/2011 when I started. After the first couple times. I started retwisting and styling all my friends & other people with locs. A few sew-ins here and there. Natural styles basically. I’m self taught. Everything I know I taught myself. At the time, I didn’t take it seriously. I’m unsure why, it relaxed me. I enjoyed it. As the years when by, more friends and family referred people to me. I started thinking “hmmm, I should definitely try to pursue my own shop one day”. I practice & practice. Perfected my craft the best of my ability. Me and my baby sister started working on branding ourselves and naming it “VNGlocs” (Val & Gabbi locs) But for some reason we didn’t push ourselves enough at the time. So once again. It faded. (That’s also where I got my business name from. I just kept me and my sisters first born brand name) Until one day I decided that, this is what I want. This is my passion. This is my vibe. No matter how many times I gave up on it. Doing locs always came back. I love making people feel good, look good and seeing how excited I can make a person about their new loc journey. One day I woke up and applied to “My Salon Suites” location in sandy springs Ga (which was extremely far from where I lived) my tour was set and everything. But I had to come to a realization that, that drive would be tragic everyday. So I canceled. I got back on my suite search and eventually couldn’t find anything that caught my eye or was in my price range. I took a break from looking. A couple months later, there was a “My Salon Suites” being built right next to my job in Morrow Ga. I just knew it was meant for me to finally take doing locs serious! This was finally my chance! Me & my good friend decided together to get a suite. “VNGloc” & “Styled by Dean”. It feels great to finally accomplish a goal I’ve been reaching for so long. And to finally be my own boss, female black business owner and entrepreneur.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart from most is that I put my own style on everything. I always put my little touch on any and everything. No matter what it is. I’m excited that I’ve finally reached a goal that I’ve been trying my hardest to accomplish. I’m proud of myself for putting my best foot forward and taking a leap of faith in my brand.

Understanding the loc community and embracing the beauty of natural hair is where I started my research. Once I got into loving locs. Doing them came much easier. I self taught myself a lot of techniques, styles and etc. I still work to perfect my craft everyday. I study my clients, their hair, their style & energy. I’ve worked in customer service for 10plus years. But it’s nothing like just being “YOU” & being respectfully real. People respect that. People love that. People love when you remember small details about their hair, their likes and dislikes. Like, they love it. So I try my best to make sure all my clients (new & old) are satisfied.

My journey to becoming my own boss wasn’t easy. But to overcome certain challenges, I prayed. I had the support of my love ones and their motivation to keep me going. Most importantly, I never wanna tell my 2 year daughter “mommy WANTED to be” anything. I want to be able to say “mommy is, am and was” so thinking about that gets me in place.

I’ve learned that you should always do what you want. When you want to. We only have one life. Love it, do it, be it! Forget what other people think, say or do. You’re living for self! So enjoy it. Be the biggest boss you can be and keep a bag!

I want the world to know that me and my brand are one. I am my brand and my brand is me. To know me, is to know my brand.

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 love traveling and road trips! I’m always down for trying new and different foods & drinks! Me and my best love a good pho or ramen spot. And don’t tease me with some good authentic street tacos!

When I want to catch a vibe and hookah you’ll always see me at Savoy Bistro in morrow ga! They have the best hookahs on the south side!!

On my chilled days I love being a homebody, cleaning the house and just relaxing with a glass of wine. Either having a movie night with my family or catching up on my shows.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If it wasn’t for my good friends Bobby, Kev, Dooby & Prada. I would have never even thought to do anyone’s locs. My mom for always referring people to me, lol. All my friends and family that support my brand. My fiancé Jared for pushing me, supporting me and motivating me when I wanted to give up. My friend Steph who trusted in me to start our suite journey together. My clients, my Savoy family, My baby Harlow, because I want her to see me and want to grow up and be her own boss and entrepreneur 20 times better than her mommy. And most importantly, I want to thank god for making ways, opening doors and sending great opportunities my way.

Website: Coming soon

Instagram: https://instagram.com/vng.locs?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Other: https://instagram.com/prettyplease.v?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==