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

Hi Wytesha, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Hair has been an interest of mine since I was a young girl. I remember the days I spent at the salon with my aunt, who at that time was a hair stylist. Everything about it was appealing! From the freedom and flexibility of working as much or as little as you want to the uplifting and vibrant atmosphere of women enjoying their self care time and conversation with other women. However, my decision to start my own business was predominantly inspired by my own struggles to find a natural hair stylist. At the time this particular area of the beauty industry was underserved , yet growing increasingly in demand at a fast pace. Most importantly, my business would serve as my opportunity to promote self-love and acceptance in young black girls by encouraging them to embrace their natural beauty.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
In 2015 I was working as an account executive for a marketing company. My job responsibilities included helping small business owners get the visibility their business needed to increase their customers and maximize their return on their investment. Every day I would outline the same for my imaginary hair salon. One day after talking to my husband on my lunch break, I took a bold leap of faith and quit my job to focus on turning that imaginary salon into reality. Was it easy? I won’t say easy but it definitely didn’t feel difficult at all. Getting over that paralyzing fear that prevented me from taking that leap years ago was the most challenging hardship. Once I conquered that, everything else was just simply exciting! I felt like I had to make up for lost time so I moved fast. I shadowed a few of the most amazing natural hair stylists in Birmingham, AL. I got my natural hair license in 2016. I got my own salon suite in that same year. In October of 2020, I opened Tesha LeShon Natural Hair Care in Alabaster, AL. The first natural hair care salon in the city. The lesson I learned along the way is, keep moving! I get up every day and get to do what I love! You know how the cliche goes. I’m excited to see so many stylists today are focusing on natural hair. My contribution to our industry is to keep this wave going by inspiring, encouraging, leading, and training as many natural hair stylists as I can.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Alabaster is not known for its entertainment or nightlife. This city is all about family and football! If it’s football season, we will most definitely catch a Thompson High School football game. I’m a football mom and I am at every game yelling “Go Gabe!”. I’m my son’s number 1 fan! During the week would grab some food from Chubbfather’s. Home of the best cheeseburger! I’ll take them to Ivy League Brew for board games and beer. Then when the weekend arrives we will go to The Chandelier Lounge in Pelham, AL for drinks and karaoke. Special shout out to James and Latavia Goodwin for giving Shelby county the best lounge! Grown folks vibe, good drinks, and a great time, EVERY TIME!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this shout out to my Auntie Angie who planted that seed of a hair care specialist in me as a kid. Those memorable shop moments were the foundation of this dream. Although she’s no longer here with me, I’ll carry her in my heart forever.

Shout out to my husband, Leaveil, for providing for me and these amazing kids of ours without any complaints. Allowing me to take these entrepreneurial risks without fear of failure or financial repercussions.

Shout out to my kids. They motivate me every day to be the best that I can be.

Last but definitely not least, shout out to my dad, my brother, and my sister who ride for me with any thing I do! With them it’s never “You can do this”. It’s always “Let’s do it!”! You have to know the difference between those two statements to understand its magnitude.

Website: Teshaleshon.as.me

Instagram: Teshaleshon

Facebook: Tesha LeShon Natural Hair Care

Other: TikTok: tl_natural_hair_care

Image Credits
Love Photography

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