Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Lilly.
Hi Alicia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Alicia. I’m from Louisville, Kentucky. I’m a mom of 3, and hair has always been my passion. I started wanting to do hair since my oldest sister Alexis started doing it when I was younger. I always watched her and told myself doing hair would be my passion. I moved to Jacksonville in 2017, and I used to practice and do community kids’ hair for free because hair was my passion, and I loved everything bout it. 2020 I decided to start Paul Mitchell right when Covid hit. But I didn’t let that stop me. I worked hard, learning everything I could because I wanted to be the best. I graduated in 2021 but right before I left my last 3 months, I started to grow a better passion for natural hair. I have seen that it was the last thing people worried about, and I knew then with my heart and passion for hair, I’m become a natural hair stylist and give more natural clients the love they needed with their hair. So here I am now 1 year later, building a studio salon in my home and giving my clients the best I can every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It didn’t start as a smooth road. Once I graduated, I had little to no clients because I was new to the market and had a brand to get my name. After 3 months, I lost faith in myself and my business and returned to a 9-5 job. I could not keep a job during those months because nothing seemed to make me happy. I tried everything, and I could not stay anywhere. In August of 2021, my oldest sister Alexis called and asked me if I knew about StyleSeat, which I didn’t at the time. She gave me the talk I needed about how I didn’t go to school for 10 months to give up the dream I always wanted. The road would be hard, but you can’t give up my time would come. So I made a StyleSeat page and posted what I had from school. The following day august 22nd, 2021, I’ll never forget I got my first real client for a natural hair silk press, and she loved it so much she posted me on the Saint Augustine neighborhood page, and from there on, every month, I was completely booked with clients. I couldn’t believe I had this much potential in myself. I thank my sister everyday for not letting me give up
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a natural hair specialist; my business is named slay the “A” way. I specialize in textured natural hair. Any person could walk into my salon with any texture, and I can do anyone’s hair because I am that good when it comes to natural hair. Natural hair clients have such beautiful hair and don’t know, which is why I do what I do now, so they know. I’m known for my silk press and my knotless braids. My love and passion for hair set me apart from other stylists. When I first started, money was never the reason why. I did it because I love it; hair is my happy place. I love to make people feel good and look good. I don’t give up on anyone, no matter how hard the job is. I’m always determined to have every client walking out loving their self. I’m proud that my client spread my business name so much; word of mouth is why I’m where I’m now. I want everyone to know I’m a stylist with passion and love, and when you sit in my chair, I’m going to love your hair as I would want someone to love mine.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the beaches, literally. Coming from up north being by the water is everything. The beaches are so peaceful here and just beautiful. I don’t have any bad feedback because I’m still learning and understanding the city still.
Contact Info:
- Website: Slaytheaway.as.me
- Instagram: Slay_the_a_way
- Facebook: Slay the A way
