PLUGGED: Never Giving Up Kesha L. ( KeyStylist)

You all may know the next person I sat down with by her Instagram name “Keystylist”, but this super personal interview simply left me knowing “Kesha”. As I was buzzed into the salon I was amazed by the beauty of the shop. The music was going, a movie was playing and the vibes were those of a salon in my dreams. Beyond the beauty of the decor, lives another beauty in the shop, the owner Kesha. The 38 thousand followers holder is a breath of fresh air in her insouciant city.

Cheanell: Why are you plugged?

Kesha: Why am I plugged? It’s so many different reasons, but I’m plugged because I’m known for ponytails. I’ve been a hairstylist for 21 years now. Also, I do a lot of the basketball and football players’ girlfriends’ and wives’ hair, and a lot of other professionals.

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“Cobra Braid” . . . . #No Glue/ NO wasting time sewing/ No edge controls/ no relaxers needed. #chicagohair #detroithair #stlouishair #miamihair #houstonhairstylist etc. ❣️GREAT SUMMER LOOKS❣️#voiceofhair #moderndaysalon #behindthechair #blackgirlbeauty #sleekponytail #sleek #blackgirlmagic #theperfectponytails #chicagonaturals #naturalhaircare #naturalista #chicagonaturalhairsalon #haircare #hair #haircrush #hairart #photooftheday #naturalhairgoals #hairstyles #hairoftheday #hairstyles #hair #silkpress inspired by @naeemahlafond Muse : @tarhondajay

A post shared by Kesha L. (@keystylist) on Jul 4, 2019 at 1:54pm PDT

Cheanell: What lead your passion for hair?

Kesha: I’m the third generation of hairstylist in my family. My grandmother, mother, aunt and two of my Uncles all do hair. I originally started off as a barber in ‘98 and the men were so ” iffy tiffy”. I then transitioned to doing women’s hair in 2001-2002. It was faster money, and I had the opportunity to be more creative.

Cheanell: How does it feel to be a big name in Chicago right now in the hair industry? How has that journey been?

Kesha: {She exhales deeply} The journey was something else. I think what motivated me to want more is being pregnant with my daughter. I was in a comfort zone, I was at my salon home for 11 years on 71st and Exchange. With the violence going on, and me seeing my daughter watching me I knew I had to work harder. So I reinvented myself. I didn’t want to be just the stylist on 71st in this 800 square foot place. I noticed I was fast and started to have a structure and science to getting clients in and out, and the hair (was) still looking good. With that I decided I wanted to build a salon and train stylists how to get the job done, and (on) which products to use so they could take control of their businesses.

Cheanell: What was the turning point in your career?

Kesha: When I was on 71st and I was building here, I didn’t have the funds to move. So I was talking to God like ‘okay, I found this place, but I don’t have the funds to get it together’. All I did was post one ponytail and it went viral. It got like 60,000 likes! I posted it at like 8am, and I didn’t go back to my page until around 6pm. It was prom season so my clientele went from 600 to 1600 in two or three months. And that gave me the funds that month to take control and renovate, and do everything I needed to do here. I even put the floors down myself.

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A post shared by Kesha L. (@keystylist) on Sep 26, 2019 at 10:54am PDT

Cheanell: How important is success? How important is it for your children to see the work you’re putting in?

Kesha: It’s a 100 precent important. It’s not 99.9 it’s not 90 , it’s not 80 it’s 100 percent important. That’s who I do it for. A lot of people look at my Instagram and can’t figure out the dynamics or the personal part of who Kesha or Keystylist is but I am a single mother. I’m consistent at working. Thats another thing that makes me popular in the city. I’m not the hairstylist that runs off and takes a trip, or runs and do this and be everywhere. People know that when they book their appointment, they’re going to come and be out on time. They’re going to get the service that they wanted and it’s going to be a professional environment. I make sure my kids see that.

Cheanell: Besides your kids, what else inspires you?

Kesha: The industry and watching other people grow. I have a massive clientele and I still have people coming in. I know other stylists want and need opportunities, so when stylist do come in I like to help restructure their business or make them change their prices to make sure they valuing their time.

Cheanell: What makes you want to help people as much as you do? Not only are you helping other stylists but you’re helping the community. Last year you were helping house the homeless during the winter season. Was that apart of your upbringing?

Kesha: That was apart of me growing up but it was also apart of my struggling. During my struggle I was in a very dark place. {Kesha begins to get emotional, and starts to cry} I went through a lot and I never want to see anyone else go through what I’ve been through. {She takes a moment}

Cheanell: I want you to know you’re doing a great job with helping others. You are inspirational.

Kesha: I think with the last question, I never want people to feel discouraged because I was discouraged that I couldn’t do and I couldn’t build. When I see other people going through something, it’s kind of like I’m Oprah. Every time someone told Oprah something she would respond “Aw I did that too”. { Kesha laughs with tears still in her eyes} Everything someone said they were going through on The Oprah show she said she went through it before. When it comes to multiple things: marriage, divorce, being a single mother, finding a home, just a whole bunch of things, when I see other people going through it, I just tell them I’ve been through this, I’ve gone through this, don’t be discouraged, just keep going, just keep going.