Meet Lance McBrayer of Hair Sessions in Back Bay

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lance McBrayer.

Lance, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In my early 20’s, I worked a corporate-America job in mutual funds with Scudder, Stevens and Clark. I did it, it paid well but I was not excited by it. I was also married by the age of 22 and my wife was a hair stylist for about four years already. I used to go with her to all of her hair expo’s and classes and loved the way she was so inspired and aglow by her craft. At one point, she worked at a salon that led to us realizing that it was definitely time for her to own her own salon. So, in 1995, a year after being married, we jointly opened our first salon with her name – Tammi’s Higher Lever Hair Studio (it was on the 2nd level of a building, lol!) in Dudley Sq.

Soon after, my family, Tammi’s family and almost all of our friends encouraged me to go to hair school. I had never really thought about it but then decided that, it actually did make sense. I quit my corporate job, started a day care transportation business that I could do in the early mornings and late afternoons while going to school full-time during the day. All the while, my wife worked alone in the salon and took-on training and building a staff while I performed managerial tasks.

I was a star hair school student mostly due to the tutelage of my wife when I would come home frustrated from trying to learn something like finger-waves or pin-curls and she would whip me into shape. Then, I’d go to school the next day and show off. The other students hated that I had my own “teacher” at home. But, it was great, lol!

We built a great team as young 20-something salon owners and eventually expanded to be Roxbury’s first Salon and Day Spa. We had a staff of about 12-14 and offered everything from manicures, pedicures, facials, makeup, massage, scalp treatments and of course a full menu of hair services from cutting and coloring to relaxers and hair extensions.

We ended up selling that salon and spa in 2007 and moving down to Newbury St. We both booth-rented at salons for the next 8 years or so, vowing that it was a much easier path and that we’d never own a salon again. Well, as they say, never say never. During that time, my wife, Tammi, became ill and could no longer work in a salon environment. However, it’s been 3 1/2 years since we’ve opened Hair Sessions, Inc. at 437 Boylston St. in 2014 and we just recently renovated our space to became the first full-service salon with a wig AND extension boutique in Boston proper that sells both wholesale to other salons and retail to the public. Our idea is to offer a place for folks to get a full array of high-end real human hair lace-front wigs and all types and techniques of extensions right in the middle of the city. We meticulously scoured the world, both through our long-term extension suppliers along with some newer companies and we have a collection of some of the highest quality virgin raw Indian human hair for our clients and all others who require only the best wigs and extensions available.

At the same time, I started my own all-natural hair care line called HairLux. As Boston’s thick and curly hair specialist and the winner of Boston A-List’s BEST HAIR STRAIGHTENING award for 3 consecutive years and with over 22 years of experience in the beauty industry, I decided it was time. The first line of products are Argan oil-based. The products are all-natural and very effective on all hair textures from straight to wavy to curly to kinky. My goal is not only to provide my clients with high-quality products and services but also to teach them how to properly care for love and embrace their mane, no matter its texture. My philosophy about hair is simple: 1) it should be healthy, 2) it should fit a person’s lifestyle and, above all, 3) it should be easy to manage on a daily basis.

And, if as that wasn’t enough, I also started a men’s monthly subscription box company called The Styled Man Box. It delivers 4-6 men’s stylish fashion accessories every month – ties, pocket squares, lapel pins, socks, etc. I recently partnered with J.Hilburn and added the service of custom suits, shirts, chinos, polos, golf-wear and so much more. And, wait, there is more! The Styled Man Box now has its own product line for men: The Styled Man – All Natural Grooming Products. It includes: shaving cream, after shave, beard wash, beard balm and beard oil with more products coming soon.

So, as you can see, I understand the uniqueness of each client and I do my absolute best to meet their individual needs. I take great pride in making my clients look and feel their best.

Has it been a smooth road?
No, starting any business is never a smooth road. There are always struggles and challenges along the way. However, when you have a destination in mind that you are trying to get to, you don’t let the “stop signs”, detours and potholes (especially in Boston) stop you from getting there. You just realize that those are all part of the journey to your end goal.

There have been unexpected health issues (like with my wife), sudden family deaths and a lack of capital or funds, at times. All of which leave you wondering how you will continue or survive. But, a higher being, the human spirit along with your individual determination help you to forge ahead and not quit, even when you think you will or will be forced to.

However, so many times, I’ve had to reinforce to myself the fact that I have not come this far to only come this far. And 2018 has proven itself, already, to be the year of The Lance McBrayer L.A.B. (Lifestyle and Brands). So, step inside the L.A.B with me!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Hair Sessions, Inc. story. Tell us more about the business.
Hair Sessions, Inc. is located on the 4th Fl. at 437 Boylston St. in Back Bay, one block away from the historic Boston Public Garden. I have over 20 years experience in the beauty industry and work with a wide range of hair textures from straight to wavy to curly to kinky, which is not often found with Boston hairstylist.

I am also a multi-faceted color expert as a former Keratin Complex Elite Inspiration Artist and Keratin Complex Color Therapy educator for years. I am committed to offering superior customer service and expertise and I’m known for providing my clients with high-quality products and services, while teaching them how to properly care for, love and embrace their mane, no matter its texture.

In an effort to provide only the best for my clients, I am most proud of launching HairLux in 2017, an all-natural argan oil product line for all hair types. I love that it is natural AND effective and the results and the positive feed-back from users is over-whelming, to say the least. I’m excited to see the line continue to produce new and exciting products for the hair, face and body in 2018.

In addition, I’ve been known as a master hair extensionist for almost all of my 23 year career. Trained by my extension expert wife, Tammi, I took what we have been doing for more than 45 years combined and recently launched HairLux Wigs & Extensions. I meticulously scoured the world, both through long-term extension suppliers along with some newer companies and I have a collection of some of the highest quality virgin raw Indian human hair for my clients and all others who require only the best wigs and extensions available. We are the first local Boston company to sell wigs and extension wholesale to salons and retail to the public.

I also am most proud of my partnership with J.Hilburn for my The Styled Man Box venture. I love being able to offer Boston men clothes that actually fit! I love seeing how much more confident men become when they put on their first made-to-measure suit or custom shirt. It’s exhilerating.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Within the hair, beauty and skin care industry, I see more and more folks, both male and female, trying to stay away from chemicals. All-natural products are definitely on the rise and are totally sought after. So, it’s why we chose to go with an all-natural product line for both the salon and for our men’s grooming products (which we sell in the salon, as well).

And, when it comes to hair extensions and pieces, every celebrity wears them and men and women of all nationalities are making it a more and more acceptable and expected thing to do in order to achieve longer, fuller and more colorful options that they desire.

When it comes to men and shopping – the mall is dead to them! Lol! More and more people are looking for ways to get more personalized service from the comfort of their homes. And that’s exactly what I give with J.Hilburn custom clothing and The Styled Man Box. I come to them at a place and time convenient for the person. I have two measurement sessions with them and from then on they can order right online.

Pricing:

• Sew-in extensions: $139.99 and up
• Clip-in extensions: $139.99 and up
• Tape-in extensions: $159.99 and up
• Flip-in extensions: $179.99 and up
• HairLux – All Natural Hair Products: $11.99 – $24.99
• The Styled Man – All Natural Grooming Products: $9.99 – 13.99
• J.Hilburn – Custom Men’s Clothing: Shirts starting at $105, Suits starting at $800

Contact Info:

• Address: 437 Boylston St.
  4th Flr.
  Boston, MA 02116
• Website: www.hairsessionsinc.com
• Phone: 617-340-9719
• Email: lance@hairsessionsinc.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hairsessionsinc
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/hairsessionsinc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/hairsessionsinc
• Yelp: https://yelp.com/hairsessionsinc
• Other: www.thestyledmanbox.com

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