Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Hyde.
Hi Kristy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story is interwoven with culture, faith, mistakes, determination, love, and passion. Since I was a little girl, hair has been something I’ve always enjoyed playing in. Having a new weekly hairstyle was a part of my identity & how I expressed myself growing up. Only once did I imagine I’d make it a career once I started having difficulty finding work I had experience in. Getting my cosmetology license seemed ideal until I landed my dream job in fashion merchandising. 20 years later, I’m still doing hair and, through faith, turned a passion of mine into my dream job. Once I started working in a salon, I knew I was in it for the long haul. I was a sponge in the industry, absorbing everything I could learn. You name it, I did it all! I only had a niche about 5 years ago. I was 5 years old, owning my salon, and getting burned out.
I wanted to avoid appeasing clients to deliver a desired look. I wasn’t a magician, and a client’s hair emergency was becoming a burden. I turned my frustration into the change I wanted to see by taking a considerable risk and returning to the basics. By that, I created the Carolina Curl Discovery Intro and eliminated all other hair services that didn’t support maximizing curls and natural hair. I created services that brought education to my salon and taught clients how to solve their hair emergencies. I now celebrate 10 years in business and 20 years as a professional hairstylist. I love helping others learn how to maximize and love their texture instead of manipulating it to do what it doesn’t naturally. One of the scariest decisions I made for my business has been the best decision. Kristy Hyde Hair is especially for you if you’re looking for a curly salon or a place to help you maximize natural hair.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has had more detours than I can count. From being told I’d never graduate to get my cosmetology license, struggling to make ends meet as a new stylist, and struggling to keep a job as a new mom, all while grieving the loss of my mom. I hit rock bottom after 8 years in the industry. However, that is where God met me and gave me the vision to open my own salon. The only catch was I needed more money to support that vision. I stepped out on faith and asked my clients to donate $25, and within a week, I had raised $1700, on which I started my business 10 years ago. There have been countless detours since; I’ve had 4 different salon locations & was flooded out of my 3rd one in the middle of COVID-19. I’m learning to balance the good with the bad. It all serves a greater purpose in the long run.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Not appeasing clients sets me apart from others because I don’t cater to wants; I cater to what hair needs. Doing so creates space to maximize and evolve natural curly hair that may not always be embraced with a warm welcome. I chose to specialize in naturally curly hair to implement education that needed to be improved behind the chair. I’m most proud of having the confidence to do so, as I’ve helped hundreds of people fall in love with their God-given crown.
What matters most to you?
What matters most is serving others in a way that allows them to see how beautiful they are. I’ll always remember serving a client who couldn’t even look at herself in the mirror and see her beauty until her hair was straightened out. Knowing some people can’t even see themselves as beautiful unless they’re made up is my why.
Contact Info:
- Website: kristyhyde.com
- Instagram: @kristyhyde.hair
- Facebook: Kristy Hyde Hair
Image Credits
Stacey Gardin photographed my personal photo
