Meet Latisha Price of Xalting Xtensions Hair Salon

From a very early age, I knew that styling hair and owning a salon was what I wanted to do. I grew up the oldest of 10 children — 5 brothers, and 4 sisters — so I had to learn a number of things quickly and on my own, styling hair being one of them. By the time I was 10 years old, I was already french braiding my own hair and this is where the passion began. By the time I was 12 years old I was styling my friends and all of my little sisters’ hair just for the fun of it.

Growing up in the kind of environment where you must teach yourself so many key skills, in addition to caring for and tending to more than just yourself — I can tell you that developing into the woman that I am today wasn’t easy. At the age of 15, just shy of my 16th birthday, I became a teen mother. Immediately following having my first child, I was out on my own and received an acceptance letter from Jones Metropolitan High School downtown Chicago. I owed it to myself and my daughter not to become a statistic and break the cycle that has been carried from generation to the next.  I ended up graduating from Jones Metropolitan, and by the time I was 21 I was married, pregnant with my second child, and had officially begun my career as a cosmetologist — receiving my license from Capri Garfield Ridge Beauty College in Chicago, IL (Pivot Point Affiliated). The weight of life remained very difficult, with just a few years later I was not only a wife but the mother of 5 beautiful children, as well. With their faces looking to me, I knew that failure was not an option. Although I had held many well-paying jobs with great benefits, I still felt a lack of satisfaction that I knew only styling hair could give me.

After many attempts of being dissatisfied working a 9-5, my husband finally sat me down, looked me in my eyes and stated, “Why are wasting your time on these jobs you don’t love? Your work should bring you happiness and satisfaction. Don’t you think it’s time to do what you love?”

That’s when a light went off for me, because it all made so much sense. I came to the realization that not only was styling hair my passion, but becoming a Salon Owner was my calling. In July of 2013, I started my own virgin hair company, Xalting Xtensions. Just a short year later I opened Xalting Xtensions Hair Salon with 6 booths and 3 suites. To say that I’ve been blessed would be an understatement. Becoming a salon owner has been challenging, but you tirelessly work towards your passion and dreams it all becomes worth it.

This road to salon ownership has been anything but smooth. I’ve encountered a number of challenges along the way which I am sure any business owner has had to deal with, such as working to please everyone at the expense of my business and personal well-being, figuring out how to offer customers the most professional, enjoyable experience possible, and even realizing that I am responsible for any and everything that relates to my business — because it is my name that is on the line.

At Xalting Xtensions we specialize in total hair care with an emphasis on weaves. We are known for our quality Virgin Hair Extensions, as well as our Sew-In Weaves. Additionally, we have ample experience in other areas such as natural hair, braids, blowouts, and color.

I am proud of the brand reputation that has been built for Xalting Xtensions Hair Salon. We believe that the clients are the most important aspect in any business — if they are not satisfied, where does that leave the business?

Within our salon, we have a number of hair products we retail flat irons, edge control, and Our Natural Hair Growth Oil and Scalp Soothers, O’Mae & Company — made in-house as a tribute to my grandmother.

Yes! If you have the knowledge of what it requires to run a salon and hair business, absolutely. Our city is flourishing with spots and locations which are waiting on the next best hair care establishment. Furthermore, the support that is received from fellow stylists truly helps to keep our industry booming.