Today we’d like to introduce you to Octavia Porterfield.
Hi Octavia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I usually tell people that my journey didn’t start in a salon—it started in my grandmother’s living room in Swansea, South Carolina. I was raised by my grandparents, and my grandmother did everyone’s hair: nieces, cousins, neighbors, whoever needed it. I sat and watched her for years, soaking up every little detail without even realizing it.
One day, when I was about 12, a neighbor needed their hair done. I was nervous, but I tried—and the style came out good. That was the moment everything clicked. After that, people started asking me to do their hair regularly. By the time I got to high school, I was the one doing the cheerleaders’ hair, the basketball players, friends before games—anyone who needed to look good, they came to me.
Even when I went off to Winthrop University and later to Midlands Tech, earning an Early Child Care degree, I still did hair in dorm rooms.
The real turning point came years later, when I saw how many people couldn’t get to a salon—especially seniors, people with disabilities, or families with transportation challenges. I had clients who would tell me, “I wish you could come to me.” And it hit me: why couldn’t I? That’s when the idea for God’s Growing Hands was born.
I wanted to create a service that met people where they were—literally. I became a licensed braider, focused on protective styles and sensitive scalps, and started bringing hair care directly to clients’ homes. And that decision changed everything. It transformed what used to be a childhood talent into a purpose-driven business that helps people feel confident, cared for, and included.
That’s how I got started—from watching my grandmother, to doing hair as a kid, to realizing there was a need I could fill. My whole journey has been guided by service and the belief that everyone deserves access to quality hair care.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my biggest struggles has been imposter syndrome. Growing up, I moved from house to house, and being raised in the South, you learn to survive, to adjust, and to stay humble—but you don’t always learn how to see yourself as enough. So when I started my business, I often felt unseen, unheard, and like I wasn’t good enough to step into the role I was creating for myself.
Even though I had the skill, the passion, and the heart for what I do, mentally it felt like I was still that little girl trying to find her place. That feeling followed me into my business. I questioned myself a lot, wondering if people would value what I had to offer or if I truly deserved the opportunities coming my way.
But over time, my clients helped me overcome that. Every year, with every household I visited, every senior I serviced, every family I supported—they reminded me that what I do is meaningful. Their trust, their gratitude, and the way they look forward to my service helped me realize that not only am I good enough, but I’m operating in my purpose.
Their belief in me helped me believe in myself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
God’s Growing Hands is a mobile beauty service designed to meet people right where they are—literally. I specialize in bringing professional braiding, protective styles, and sensitive scalp care directly to clients in their homes. My focus is on seniors, individuals with disabilities, busy families, and anyone who struggles with transportation, mobility, or simply finding the time to sit in a traditional salon.
What sets me apart is purpose. My business wasn’t created just to style hair—it was created to solve a real problem and serve a community that is often overlooked in the beauty industry. Many of my clients can’t easily get out of the house, or they have health conditions or sensory sensitivities that make salon environments uncomfortable. I bring dignity, patience, and convenience to them, so they can feel cared for without the stress of travel.
I’m known for my gentle touch, my knowledge of sensitive scalps, and my ability to create protective styles that are both beautiful and healthy. Clients trust me because I’m not just focused on the style—I’m focused on their comfort, their wellbeing, and their confidence. I also use products tailored for delicate scalps, including my own Resilient Hair Oil, which I created to help with dryness, inflammation, and protective style maintenance.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the impact. This business grew from my own experiences and from listening to the needs of the people around me. Every time a senior tells me they feel like themselves again, or a parent thanks me for coming to their home so their child feels safe—that’s what defines my brand. Compassion, accessibility, and quality.
What I want readers to know is that God’s Growing Hands is more than a mobile hair service—it’s a commitment to making beauty care accessible for everyone. I serve with patience, respect, and heart. And as I grow, my goal is to expand into a full team of mobile beauty professionals—braiders, nail techs, lash artists, makeup artists—so we can serve even more people across South Carolina.
If you or someone you love needs a stylist who comes to you and truly cares, that’s who we are.
How do you think about happiness?
What truly makes me happy is my husband and my children. Growing up, I moved from house to house at a young age, and experiences like that really shape how you see the world and how you see yourself. It can impact your stability, your confidence, and your mental health.
But God blessed me with a wonderful husband who loves me and our four children the way God loves the church—through care, patience, kindness, and grace. His support has given me the stability I didn’t always have growing up, and that brings me a deep sense of happiness and peace.
My children make me happy because I see so much love in them. They will go out into the world and share the same love they receive every day with others who might not have it. Knowing that I’m raising children who lead with compassion and light—that fills me with joy.
At the end of the day, my family is my anchor and my biggest blessing.
Pricing:
- Travel fee $30
- Box braids $150
- Knotless braids $185
- Crochet braids $60
- Therapeutic wash $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://octaviadarby.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godsgrowinghands/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19DS8i592h/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/octavia-darby-54937a230
