Today we’d like to introduce you to Chasity Shipman.
Hi Chasity, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
What started out as something to supplement my income in 2009, my husband and I were backed against the wall when the economy shut down.
FEAR drove me to become an entrepreneur!
2009, the year the economy crashed, and we were in “fear” because my husband and I were told our government jobs were at stake, furloughs, mouths to feed…fearing what if we both lost our jobs, what would we do???
It was at that very moment I decided to go back to night school and legitimize my passion. With so many greats in the beauty industry, I decided to go the opposite direction on faith, and delved into Natural Hair Care, after all…I was discovering my own natural hair after just doing the big chop on myself!
Well, while in school those 16months, I was told that natural hair was a “Fad” and wasn’t here to stay! While in school, I was also asked how I could I just focus on natural and that I was limiting myself🤣!
I decided to post and let social media see what I was doing while in school, coined the name “the nappyologist” because that’s what I was known for in school. I follow some of the greats like Essence China and Nancy Scaife, and Chichi Mcdonald…just to name a few before I graduated. I was completely inspired by what these ladies were doing with natural hair in the larger cities and decided to follow suit and bring it to Columbia, SC. Graduated 2011, and 2012, opened my own spot as the Founder and CEO of Nappyology 101 Natural Hair Studio, LLC, and thrived for years with an amazingly talented team/staff until 2016. From 2017 onward, I decided to rebrand, without a team and became Founder and CEO SophistaCurlz Luxury Natural Hair Care and now a graduate of US Trichology Institute as an AMCA Certified Trichologist and Hair Loss PractitionerChasity S., Trichologist-Hair Loss Practitioner Clinic. I am grateful for those who I’ve worked with and clientele who’ve followed me and stayed with me for the past 12 yrs. of growth and success! I pride myself on not being your basic Cosmetologist, but for all of your healthy holistic hair and scalp care needs. For anyone who’s having 2nd thoughts with embarking on their goals of entrepreneurship…go for it NOW!!!
You won’t regret it! Someone, somewhere out there is waiting to support you and hear your story!! I will be retired from my government career in less than 5 yrs. (with 28yrs) and with a choice of not having to return, because I’ve built my business!!!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to success definitely had to put in a lot of work. From the first day, I started school ‘til present. You’re always learning in the beauty industry. One thing about me, if I going to do something, I strive to be the best at it or educate myself in the field as far as I can go. My struggles figuring out time management. While my business grew pretty fast, I had to be sure I bought out time for the more important things to me, spiritually and time with my family.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about SophistaCurlz Hair Restoration?
SophistaCurlz Hair Restoration is a salon clinic where we specialize in treating Hair loss & Scalp disorders. Additionally, we cater to natural hair care clientele. I’ve been known as “The Nappyologist” for years when I owned Nappyology 101 Hair Studio. I still cater to only natural hair clients, now multicultural hair. I am most proud about bringing hair back, for those who suffer with thinning hair. I also have a haircare line that caters to hair loss as well and offer what we call LLLT (low light laser treatments. If you are currently suffering with Alopecia, Psoriasis, Seborrheic Dermatitis? I would love the opportunity to schedule a consultation & examination with you!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was an introvert, but expressed myself with my hairstyles. My mom will tell you that I cut my hair in kindergarten when she worked so hard to get my hair to grow. She say “my child is going to do something with hair I know”. From the age of 5, I have always had a passion for the beauty industry. But never thought that I would make it a career.
Contact Info:
- Email: Sophistacurlzbeautybar@gmail.com
- Website: www.soohistacurlzbeautybar.com
- Instagram: @sophistacurlzhairrestoration
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sophistacurlzluxurynaturalhaircare
- Youtube: SophistaCurlz Hair Restoration
- Other: sophistacurlnaturals.GlossGenius.com
