Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Wilson.
Patricia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, my mom didn’t know anything about styling hair, which made things a bit difficult for my sisters and me. If our aunt or cousin couldn’t style our hair, I faced bullying. Determined to avoid that, I made it my mission to learn how to do hair. I practiced different hairstyles on myself and my sisters until I became proficient. In high school, I began taking clients and charged $20 to $30 for styles that would typically cost between $100 and $200.
After high school, I attended Florida Career College for cosmetology. During cosmetology school, I met some amazing people and learned invaluable skills. I started working in a hair salon, and to my surprise, my high school teacher began coming to me for hairstyling. She struggled with a hair and scalp condition, which prompted me to delve into hair care. I created a hair growth product specifically for her, using old edge control jars to package it and giving it away for free. One day, a customer in the salon told me I should start charging for it because the product was working wonders. Eventually, I began selling it for six dollars, and as word spread, my customer base grew.
While working in that salon, the owner told me I was the weakest link. Instead of letting that bring me down, I decided to move on to a new opportunity. I started working in another salon with a wonderful team that encouraged me to become a better stylist. In 2014, I began giving away free school supplies to students returning to school. I also randomly selected one family in need each year to provide with a free hair service and uniforms. Years passed, and I chose to revamp my business and make it more professional.
After giving birth to my son in 2016, I took my giving to the next level by launching a program called “Good Grades and Slay.” For every honor roll report card, I would give away a free hair service. In 2019, I decided to expand my hair care line by adding a hair butter and a hair growth oil. In January 2020, I enrolled in school to become a trichologist.
Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, my business experienced significant growth. Although I became seriously ill and was on my deathbed, I used that experience as motivation to keep going. It took time to get to where I am today, but I ultimately opened my own salon in October 2024. I am proud to say that I am doing very well for someone who was once counted out..
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road for me. I have faced many challenges and I was the laughingstock of the salon. I was called the weakest link and told to leave if I didn’t get it together. While working from home, I experienced clients stealing from me and others who tried to shortchange me by paying with a stack of ones to make it seem like they were giving me the full amount.
Throughout the years, I have struggled with several illnesses that caused me to miss work on multiple occasions. To continue building my clientele, I had to heavily invest in advertising and marketing, especially since I lost clients due to my health issues. Maintaining a good reputation in this industry was crucial for me to ensure my clients would return.
All of these experiences have shaped me into the strong stylist I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a cosmetologist and trichologist specializing in healthy hair growth. My expertise includes healthy hair growth, hair color, and locs. I take great joy in seeing my clients’ reactions when they look in the mirror and realize I’ve done a great job; it fills me with pride. As a trichologist, I find it incredibly rewarding to help people regrow their hair. Each time I witness new strands of hair coming back, it brings tears to my eyes. Knowing that I am changing lives and giving people the opportunity to wear their own hair proudly, without the need for cover-ups, is truly fulfilling.
What sets me apart from others is my outgoing personality and the love I have for my clients. They are not just clients to me; they are family. I have always been taught to treat others the way I want to be treated, which motivates me to ensure that every client has the best experience possible.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The best advice I can give to any aspiring stylist is to work in a salon alongside an experienced stylist who has been in the industry for a long time. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Make sure to attend hair shows and introduce yourself to various stylists. Building good relationships with them is important because when you’re unavailable, you can refer your clients to them, and when they’re busy, they can refer their clients to you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.phdhairs.com
- Instagram: PatriciaHairDesigns
- Facebook: PHD Hair Studios
