Today we’d like to introduce you to Navada McKoy.
Hi Navada, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began by picking up a dream that my grandma had started years before me. With reinforcement from two of my friends, we all enrolled at
Paul Mitchell The School In Columbia, SC. After graduating from Paul Mitchell, I worked part-time as a preschool teacher and part-time as a hairstylist at a small salon in Lexington. My first client outside of school was an experience I will never forget, I was so nervous! Thankfully, I was employed by a friend from high school who had just opened her salon; she helped guide me and taught me a great deal. I am forever grateful for her kindness. I have worked at a few other salons as an employee, and each one has taught me something valuable in my career and helped mold me into the stylist I am today. After many prayers and encouragement from my husband, friends, and family, I decided to take the plunge and become an independent stylist, finally. I was terrified but excited! Ironically, I interviewed at a salon where I had previously worked, which had been reopened as Salon 561. It honestly felt like coming home! Joye Fowler, the owner of Salon 561, has been a truly positive force who has helped me navigate running my own business and offered countless pieces of advice. Between her and the other independent stylists at Salon 561, I immediately felt at home. God has blessed me tremendously on this journey. After 4 years of being an independent stylist and with over 10 years of experience, I have strived to build my name as a blonding and color specialist. My goal is to make each one of my clients feel special, seen, loved, and beautiful.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been an easy or smooth road. Transitioning from a salon where everything is provided, from reception and booking to products and education, to being in charge of everything myself was not easy. I’m thankful to have had a tremendous support system that has helped me navigate operating my own business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an independent Hairstylist. I started this journey wanting to be a blonde specialist, and with 80% of my clients being blonde, I feel accomplished in knowing that the hard work and countless blonde coloring classes are paying off. I am extremely particular when it comes to trying to achieve the “perfect shade of blonde” for my clients.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I don’t necessarily view myself as a risk taker, but leaving the comfort of a salon that I was already successful at as an employee to be self-employed was a risk to me. It seemed scary, but the reward has been well worth the risk.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://navadamckoy.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bnavadastyles/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Navadashairchair/
