Today we’d like to introduce you to Melinda Mathurin.
Melinda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I had to have been maybe 4 or 5 years old when I started. I would steal yogurts from the fridge, hide behind a large piece of furniture, and strategically apply yogurt through out my Barbie dolls hair as if it was relaxer. My mom did hair in our home and I wanted to do exactly what she did. And I did. Through out my adolescence and teen years, I did hair whenever I could for family and friends. I had a passion for hair but easily put it on the back burner as I continued to further my education. I graduated high school in 2013 and went straight to college. I had two part time jobs and was majoring in Biology with the hopes of being an OBGYN one day. I thought I KNEW this was going to happen. That was until I started failing bio and the sight of blood began to make me sick. Things just weren’t adding up to me and I decided out of the blue to make a change. It’s still crazy to me and I have no idea how I came up with the idea, but I switched my major to business, quit my part time jobs and created another Instagram page and named it “crownedbyher”.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has been far from smooth. Getting my bachelors degree while owning my own business was probably one of the most difficult experiences in my life. I could’ve made so many excuses to quit, but I really wanted more for myself. I would encourage women who care to have and be more to keep fighting and pushing through for it, no matter how hard it gets; in the end, you’ll be rewarded.
Please tell us about Crownedbyher.
Currently, I specialize more in extensions and sew in weaves. I would like to branch out and explore cuts and even barbering but the demand for weaves is so crazy that it’s almost not possible. As a brand, I am most proud of the quality that I can provide to my clients. I believe that’s definitely something that sets me apart from others. I am a perfectionist for one. And for two, I always put myself in my client’s shoes. I want them to be satisfied and happy as I would. I implement a lot of care, precision, and more to make sure my client’s styles are flawless just as I’d want mine to be.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I feel like one of the biggest barriers today to female leadership within the hair industry is other females. It’s definitely a crab in a barrel dynamic.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Www.instagran.com/crownedbyher
Image Credit:
Belle, Trudy, shy, Sarah, Jeanine
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