Today we’d like to introduce you to Syreeta Baker.
Syreeta, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up with family and friends in the cosmetology industry I was always curious about hair and how hair styles came to be. As a kid, my mom purchased a half head mannequin and this is where I began to practice with braids. As I got a little older, around 11 years of age, a cousin of mine used to braid my hair in the most intricate styles. I was always shocked at the ending results. During one of our braid sessions, I asked my cousin if she would teach me how to braid. And there is where it all began. I started off braiding cornrow braids, from front to back. Later I learned how to design them. As I got older, I started to venture into cold waves. This was during the Care Free Curl and Leisure Curl era. I would say by the late 90s, I was braiding with weave, doing finger waves, popcorn waves, cold waves, and press and curls. It wasn’t until 2005 that I begin to think about taking what I knew to the next level. It was at this time when I decided to attend Pivot Point International Academy. I studied there from 2005 until 2007 and received my Cosmetology License. I took their part-time course as I was working full time as an accountant. While attending Pivot Point, I met my now mentor Erskine Reeves and I ended up doing my internship with him to finish my courses at Pivot Point.
In 2008, I wanted to take things a step further and I attended Amazon Natural Essentials now known as Evolving Textures to become a certified Master Loctician. In 2009, I flew to Atlanta, GA to attend Taliah Waajids Natural Hair course and I became a certified Natural Hair Specialist. In 2011, the State of Illinois announced the Licensing for Natural Hair and I took a few more courses to become a Licensed Natural Hair Educator. While I was at Pivot Point, I had dreams of becoming a Platform Artist and with the help of Justin Kace. I got my first shot at becoming a Plat Form Artist at the last Proud Lady Hair Show in 2011. Now, I travel all over the United States and I educate new and existing Cosmetologist about proper natural hair care.
Great, 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?
A smooth road, ABSOLUTELY NOT. One of the biggest challenges that I didn’t realize about this field is the constant education one must receive to stay abreast of this ever-changing industry. I took two breaks while in hair school to deal with personal issues. Over the years, I have lost loved ones that were dear to my heart. I’ve had relationships to go south because they did not believe in my dream. One of my biggest struggles was Color and now after taking several classes with John Amico and Destiny Cox and working with some outstanding stylist along the way. I have mastered basic coloring and some custom color techniques. As you get older your health starts to fade. So, you MUST eat right, have a great exercise regime AND GET SOME REST. Your body will thank you later. My advice to women starting out in this industry is to be patient, continue to educate yourself at every opportunity that you get, obtain a strong mentor, eat properly, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, and two of the most important things that I can advise of: ALWAYS BE ON TIME AND NEVER EVER GIVE UP.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about All Naturale’ Beauty – what should we know?
I am known for my dreadlock maintenance and styles. My clientele is 85% dreadlocks. I have mastered proper maintenance on all textures of hair. I have mastered installing dreadLocks whether they are the client’s own hair or extensions. I have mastered styling and coloring dreadlocks. But more importantly, I have mastered how to help people maintain a healthy head of hair and a healthy scalp.
I am very proud of who I have become. As a Brand Ambassador of All Naturale’ Beauty, I love the fact that I have gained so much knowledge to pass onto others. I feel that this has been my calling all along. I have created my own T-Shirt Line Knotti Girl and Knotti Boi. And in 2019, I will be introducing my new product line. What sets me apart from others is that I remain consistent in my field and I constantly attend shows and educational classes to help me to help others. I have superb customer service skills and am very articulate. I am a go-getter and this is what has paved the way for me. I have a genuine love for Natural Hair and I would love to see each and every soul who walks the face of the earth with a beautiful head of healthy growing hair.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Absolutely. I was very athletic in school. And you need to be very agile in this industry because you are standing for long hours sometimes. I was very smart in school and made sure to attend all of my classes. This carried on into my career as an Accountant and later as a Natural Hair Educator. I am prompt to work and ready to execute whatever is thrown at me to the best of my ability. Every teacher I have ever had from grammar school to college said that I worked very well with others and that my way of supporting and assisting others would take me far in life. I am a great listener and I love to work with my hands. All of these small things added up to the successful Natural Hair Stylist that I am today.
Pricing:
- Loc Maintenance starts at $92
- Loc Styles start at $15
- Hair Loss Treatments start at $25
- Loc Interlock Maintenance starts at $117
- Loc Installations start at $450
Contact Info:
- Address: 4815 Butterfield Road
Hillside, IL 60162 - Website: Www.anbfio.booksy.com
- Phone: 773-366-5566
- Email: anbfio@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/anbfio
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/anbfio
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/anbfio
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