Meet Andrea Sealey of Boston Hairnista Salon in Dorchester

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Sealey.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Andrea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in the Roxbury area of Boston. I started doing hair as a little girl, as young as 10 years old. I braided everyone’s hair from my family, school classmates, my neighborhood friends and even their moms (lol). As I got older, my referrals began to come more frequently and I have to say I was pretty well off for a young kid! Shortly after I turned 15, I started working part time at a hair salon in Mattapan. I braided hair at this salon all throughout high school. After graduating from Melrose High School (I was a METCO kid), I went to Empire Beauty School (Formerly Blaine Beauty School) in Downtown Boston to essentially advance my beauty career to more than just braiding. I attended part time in the evening, while still working a full time job at a security company during the day. I would also squeeze in my hair clients into any crevice of those days.

After graduating from Empire, I worked a short while at a salon on Newbury, by this point I had three jobs (Security, Salon, and my clients whom were scattered about Massachusetts). I worked mostly long days, sometimes 18-20 hours, juggling my work load. Not sure how I survived or managed to socialize lol. In 2011 (still working at my security job) I began to research to process to start up a hair salon, I researched all sorts of start-up cost, commercial renting, permits, etc. I finally just decided to go for it (I was 23 at the time). My plan was to NOT take out a loan. My idea with “small” business start-ups is just that…SMALL! Over the years I’ve seen many businesses start as small mom and paps and 20 years later they’ve grown into huge chains or simply expanded over time to a bigger business. I knew if for some reason my business failed, I could walk away not owing a single penny to anyone! I was very important to me that this start up came from my own pockets (Not even mom and Dad) lol!

I started to brainstorm cost effective ways to collect salon furniture and searched all of the second hand sites (craigslist). I ended up coming across a hair salon in Arlington that was closing and all of their salon furniture was everything I had dreamed of! Long story short, I bought everything (yes, my entire salon was bought from craigslist)!! Mirrors, shampoo and styling chairs, reception area, everything!! After that, I needed to find my salon space. My Aunt owns a fashion boutique in Dorchester and informed me that the space next door to her was available for rent. I got the number, called the landlord and I had it locked in and rented within a week! By September, I had my permits and my Dad, brother, and myself remodeled my entire salon space. I literally watched my dream come to life! We spent late hours, after work, painting, laying floors and getting it ready for the series of city inspections! Once everything passed with the city, I moved in all of the furniture and the salon passed the cosmetology board inspection! I officially opened for business on February 20th 2012 and I’m happy to celebrate my 5 year anniversary! We’ve been flourishing ever since!!

Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been a smooth road since opening. Prior to opening, I ran into some obstacles with the city due to fire codes and occupancy permits. These are normal obstacles but I was new to this process and didn’t know that my upholstered salon furniture had to meet a certain fire code and I had to change the zoning from an office to a beauty salon. Simple, normal stuff but I still had several small panic attacks.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Boston Hairnista Salon is a small, 5 chair hair salon. We currently have a small staff and probably the most enthusiasm you’d encounter in a hair salon. I literally do all hair types. I can say we specialize in hair extensions but we are not limited to just that. I’m well known for the fact I can literally accommodate anyone that sits in my chair. Lately, I’ve done a ton of extensions but braids of any kind will forever follow me! We have men, woman, and children that make up our clientele. I’m proud of the faithful clients I have for such a young salon and how our clients constantly comment on how cozy and welcoming the salon is. They always feel right at home. That’s what’s most important to us. I think what sets us apart from others is staying current with technology (having the ability to book appointments at no charge and pay online) for the convenience of our customers and the willingness to create a place that is welcoming to absolutely anyone. My salon has been a place for everyone to recharge, even the stylist! This is everyone’s home away from home!

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like Boston is an excellent place for my business and can definitely accommodate more businesses like mines. I’ve seen many pop ups of hair boutiques across the city and they seem to be doing extremely well! The Main Streets organizations have been a huge resource to many small business around Boston.

Contact Info:

• Address: Boston Hairnista Salon
  1690 B Dorchester Ave
  Dorchester, MA 02122
• Website: www.bostonhairnista.com
• Phone: 617-265-0828
• Email: style@bostonhairnista.com
• Instagram: @bostonhairnistasalon
• Facebook: @bostonhairnistasalon
• Twitter: @bostonhairnista
• Yelp: Boston Hairnista Salon