Today we’d like to introduce you to LaSeaun Crawford. Them and their team share their story with us below:
LaSeaun K. Crawford first fell in love with hair almost 24 years ago. At the age of 8 years old, LaSeaun picked up a comb and began to braid the hair of a barbie doll while attending a sleepover for one of her mother’s coworkers. At first, the other girls did not want to play with LaSeaun, as she was a quiet child. However, once they saw what she had been doing many of them asked her to braid their hair. It’s safe to say she made a few friends that night.
Once she returned home, LaSeaun started braiding her own hair. One morning before heading to school, her mother noticed that her hair had already been done, including the matching hairbows & barrettes. Upon learning of her daughter’s new interest, LaSeaun’s mother began to cultivate her skills by taking her to various local braid shops and hair salons. LaSeaun was a fast learner and her skills preceded her allowing her to begin providing natural braids services to her friends and family.
As the years went by her love for hair expanded to various specialties: natural braids, braids with extensions, weaves, and Locs. It was not until LaSeaun was 17 years old that she began to develop a passion for Locs. At the age of 19, LaSeaun received her Hair Braider’s Licensed and began to take her craft seriously. While attending undergrad school at Voorhees College (now Voorhees University), LaSeaun became known on campus as “the dorm Loctician”. Here is where LaSeaun learned her first lesson in business: Vision.
Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology in 2012, LaSeaun became employed at SC Legal Services as a Legal Secretary. Still “doing hair on the side”, as she referred to it, LaSeaun longed for the opportunity to explore a career of self-employment. she was afraid of the feedback that she would receive being that she did not have the knowledge or understanding of business at that time. It was at SC Legal Services that LaSeaun learned her second lesson in business: Systems.
After two years as a Legal Secretary, LaSeaun began working for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health as an Employment Specialist with The Individual Placement and Support Program (IPS). It was through the principles of this program that LaSeaun learned the importance of understanding one’s dreams. and identifying the steps to achieve that dream. While working as an Employment Specialist, LaSeaun helped over 75 individuals (adults and teenagers) to realize their dreams, start careers, and pursue higher education. The joy that she experienced in assisting others led to her learning two very valuable lessons in business: Purpose and Standards.
During the pandemic. LaSeaun grew extremely depressed. She sought God to understand why she was not feeling fulfilled anymore with her job. After praying and speaking with her husband, LaSeaun made the decision to leave her job, which at the time was the only solid form of income due to her husband being temporarily furloughed. Afraid, nervous, but bold, LaSeaun chooses to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a business owner. Immediately after leaving her job, LaSeaun’s weekend clientele picked up and she began working 7 days a week from a room in her home she called “The Hair Room”. It was set up exactly like a hair salon suite without the shampoo bowl. Clients came from all over (Georgia and North Carolina) to “get loved on”, a phrase she coined describing the services she offered. Seeing her rapid growth, LaSeaun’s husband, who had just secured a new job, encouraged her to step out on faith and open a salon suite. That is when he introduced her to Grace Salon Suites, via a Facebook ad. During this season of accelerated growth, LaSeaun learned even more lessons in business: Growth and Profitability.
In January of 2021, LaSeaun had her grand opening for Styles By LaSeaun LLC. By the end of the first quarter, LaSeaun’s clientele had tripled. She sought counsel from her peers and her business growth coach to determine how to handle her rapid success. Within her first year, LaSeaun’s salon suite doubled in size, she diversified her earnings through her LOCSTAR Collection: t-shirts, wristbands, and bonnets, as well as created her very first product: LOYL Beauty Hair Growth Oil.
Through years of research and practice, LaSeaun has developed techniques that have enabled her to provide her clients with a unique hair experience. LaSeaun believes that her business is being led by God and that His plans are truly greater than her own. In May of 2021, LaSeaun began to expand her knowledge in an effort to advance her career, by training to become a Master Hair Specialist. Her love for her craft inspired her to offer one on one classes educating others in the art and science of Locs for all hair types and textures. Her program, All thing Locs continues to evolve and is the cornerstone for her long-term goal of becoming a licensed state board academy.
As of today, LaSeaun is only months away from completing her Master Hair Specialist program. She currently services over 200 clients and has added new merchandise: LOCSTAR tracksuits, Godacity t-shirts, and a new product, LOYL Beauty Rose Water Mist to her brand. One of her most significant accomplishments to date was having her hair styling skills featured on the cover of Today’s Purpose Woman Magazine!
LaSeaun believes that each day is a chance to learn something new and to also be of service to those around you. Her clients whom she refers to as LOCSTARS inspire her to continue striving, educating, and learning. Understanding that it’s more than “hair”, she coined the phrase, “Love On Your Locs”, to empower herself and others to truly embrace and find beauty in every stage of their Loc Journey.
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?
Challenge #1: Finance The road to success is filled with surprises. In the beginning, I thought that I only needed a scheduling site and the tools to do the hairstyles I was offering. I was WRONG! Business is so much more than that. When I first went to check out the space at Grace Salon Suites, I was given a list of items that I needed to open up my shop. I had nothing. Although the required list held items that were easy to acquire, I lacked an understanding of their use and significance of them. Yes, I got what was needed, but now the question was how do I utilize them to open my business. I knew I needed money. I tried everything. I applied for the PPP loan, which was denied because my business start date was not within the requested timeline as well as applied for a business loan which was also denied because of my personal credit score. That is when I choose to bet on myself, using my SC Retirement to fund my dreams.
Challenge #2: Self-Confidence in Business
After I was able to acquire inventory, and equipment, and build a new website I thought that I was good to go. But again I was wrong. It wasn’t until my suite neighbor (another business owner) suggested that I do a photoshoot to reintroduce myself to the world. I thought it was a joke. This led to my second obstacle, self-confidence. Yes, I knew that I was good at what I did. Yes, I had a steady clientele. But I still didn’t believe I was good enough for the world to want my services. This took a while for me to understand my value. I had people that praised my work and offered their words of encouragement, and I also had some that criticized and tried to devalue me. Although it wasn’t that many naysayers, the negative feedback still hurt me just the same. I questioned God, asking if I was meant to be in this industry. I took some time to seek Him more. In seeking Him, God revealed to me my purpose, which is to educate and inspire others to fully love themselves for who God created them to be,
Challenge #3: Balance
Another challenge I have faced is balancing my work life and personal life. In the beauty industry, it is so hard to separate the two especially when social media plays a big part in how we conduct business. Not only do we have to provide services, but we also are the inventory specialist, content creators, marketing/advertising strategists, accountants, and janitors. So many responsibilities added to my plate so quickly that I felt exhausted. Although I was getting things done, I felt burnt out. As a small business owner I can honestly say that by creating partnerships, I have been able to gain more personal time for myself and my family. I was able to hire a social media manager, as well as hire my husband as my personal assistant. I have learned that yes, I may do it all but to ensure success and sustainability it is important to have a team.
Challenge #4: Managing the Schedule
With the sudden increase in clientele, school schedule, and family life I found myself not being able to properly manage time at work. Understanding the importance of maintaining one’s loc foundation and ensuring that my LOCSTARS were receiving proper care and maintenance I established a new approach to regulating their attendance. By introducing pricing plans (pre-paid services) I have been able to keep my “regulars” on schedule, while still having open availability to accepting new clients. To also ensure that I maintain structure, I modified my work schedule to accommodate school, study time and self-care.
Challenge #5: Obedience
When I opened my business I chose to dedicate it back to God. This was a big deal because I was relinquishing all power to Him. I found myself often in the “hot seat” because the choices I was making did not make sense. I was denying clients, denying partnerships, and isolating myself. Not because I wanted to but because I was instructed to. Every need that I had for Styles By LaSeaun, that I tried to meet by myself failed. Every new partnership I tried to establish without consulting God, failed. Every client I accepted, knowing I wasn’t supposed to, resulted in disaster. I had to learn to be obedient. How dare I give God my company and then tell Him how to run it! Once I decided to become obedient everything in my business changed for the better! For me, this was the biggest victory in my business because I understood that where God is leading me is to a place of leadership. And in order to lead, you must first know how to follow.
Challenge #6: How to Actually make and keep my money.
I often tell people that going into business is not for the weak. Especially a new business that is service-based. Literally, if you don’t work, you don’t eat. I had to learn not only how to diversify, but how to properly invest and save. I went my entire first year without getting paid. Yep, that’s right, I was making three to four figures per service and reinvesting into my business every chance I got. At the end of the year, I was devasted because I felt like I had nothing to show for it. But then I was blessed with friends (who are also business owners), a business growth coach, and an accountant, that taught me the fundamentals of business, which I am still learning now in my 2nd year of business. I have become smarter in how I invest my earnings. I have developed partnerships with companies to help lower the cost of inventory. Also, I have created a network of resources and contacts through my LOCSTARS from which we all can profit.
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 Master Licensed Loctician who specializes in Loc maintenance and establishment for all hair types and hair textures. My services include:
-Starter Locs: comb coils, two-strand twist, interlocks, and braid locks
– Loc Maintenance: comb retwist, interlocking, and crotchet retightening
– Loc Repairs: the reconstruction of individual locs without the use of added hair, thread, or glue
– Loc Reattachments: the establishment of a new loc foundation using ones naturally grown locs; attached without the use of added hair, thread, or glue
– Loc Restoration: the process of repairing severely damaged/matted Locs. During this process, Locs are detoxed, repaired, and parts are reestablished creating a stronger foundation.
-Instant Locs: the combing of one’s natural hair to form a matured loc
-Traditional Loc Extensions: created with 100% human hair at the time of one’s installation to mimic their hair’s texture and ensure a seamless transition between their natural hair and the extension
-“Lisa Bonet” Locs or Goddess Loc Extensions: (created with 100% virgin human hair of various textures to form a matured “curly” loc
Educational Services:
-All Things Locs: a three-level training program that provides both lecture and technical hands-on training to ensure your success as a Loctician or Professional Stylist. Each course is designed to educate students on the science of establishing, maintaining, and designing Locs of all textures. These courses have been structured to ensure that students received a well-rounded view of Locs and Dreadlocks by challenging their skills, expanding their knowledge, and inspiring their creativity. Classes are offered in small groups to ensure students’ success at retaining the information provided.
I am most known for providing Loc Restorations and creating authentic, realistic Loc Extensions.
I am most proud of my LOCSTARS. Many of them have and are growing into their purposes. Although they may see me once every other month, the time we spend together is often spent counseling them, educating them, and sometimes learning from them. I have witnessed many of my clients move from being employees to becoming employers. But more importantly, I am honored to say that I have watched them fall in love with their authentic selves in ways that are indescribable. When a person decides to begin their loc journey it can be a big adjustment and sometimes a blow to their self-confidence. But through much education, motivation, and providing a supportive environment for them, I have seen so many positive changes.
What sets me apart from other Locticians is that I have made a decision to allow my business to solely rely on my obedience to God. I often refer to myself as the Chic-fil-a of Locticians because I strive to ensure that my LOCSTARS receive the best of me. As a Seventh-day Adventist, I choose to honor the Sabbath by not working on what most believe to be the “highest” volume day of the week, Saturday. My services are designed to provide a “spa-like” experience for every LOCSTAR. The environment in which I provide these services is one that is tranquil and inviting. I understand the importance of self-care. That is why every person that sits in my chair is provided with the best service experience possible.
How do you define success?
I define success as the ability to give back just as much as you acquire, and having the freedom to create spaces for others to thrive.
Contact Info:
- Email: laseaunc@loveonyourlocs.com
- Website: www.LoveOnYourLocs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylesbylaseaun
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/LoveOnYourLocs
Image Credits
Atara Davis
