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Meet Kiki Norman of Hip Hop Hair Care

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiki Norman.

Kiki, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Ever since I could hold a comb I have always Loved doing hair, I enjoy making other people feel good & look good while expressing my creativity. I started getting paid for braiding at age 12.

I was raised by my grandma and Uncle. while my father was incarcerated & and my mother addicted to narcotics for 23 years, I faced many challenges  being born into that type of dysfunction. But early on I knew that I didn’t want to go down the same path as my parents.  I’m thankful for my Grandmother & Uncle who always encouraged me to Follow my dreams of becoming an amazing Hair Stylist and follow in the footsteps of Madame C.J.Walker (The first Black woman to be a self made millionaire by creating black hair care products she also provided jobs & education to other black women in the community).

I grew up in Blythe California & then moved back to Yuma to finish High school at Yuma High. I applied for beauty school in Yuma, but I wasn’t accepted (and that hurt) So I worked in customer service (at motel six) for three years and braided friends and family’s hair at home, but I wanted more I wanted to follow my dreams. So I tried again and applied for a cosmetology school in Mesa & was accepted, so I moved to Mesa to attend cosmetology school and I attended several schools while working at Sallys Beauty Supply. & I faced many obstacles and hardships while in school, but no matter what I faced I was determined to follow my dreams.

While working at Sally’s and I gave them many great ideas, but I noticed that I was making someone else’s dreams come true, working for them full time and myself part-time. I knew I had to do something I’ve never done to get something I’ve never had. So I took a leap of faith and went for my dream full time,  I quit working for Sallys & became a full time traveling Hairstylist. My family thought I was crazy for taking such a big risk, but I was ready to do whatever it takes to follow my dream.I traveled all over Arizona from Mesa to Queen Creek to Avondale, Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe, Litchfield Park & Happy Valley & it was exhausting! & I wasn’t making enough money to pay the bills because a lot of it was going into paying for gas and maintenance on my car from wear and tear. But I was Happy Being my own Boss & living my dream.

I prayed to God because I knew something was missing. I said “I know it’s not supposed to be this hard”, & I started seeing this message everywhere on Facebook, Instagram, &  billboards it said “The people you are looking for are looking for you” one day I yelled out “who are these people who are looking for me because I’m ready to meet them!!” Meanwhile, the whole time I was traveling two of my good friend’s Charity and LadyJ (who I worked with before at a salon in Mesa) were both telling me about the salon they were at looking for a braider & I was reluctant to go, because I loved being my own boss, but being a traveling Hairstylist wasn’t getting any easier.

I got a phone call from Sharon the owner of Twist N Stylez she asked if I wanted the lead braiding position and also offered to teach me new braiding techniques. I Continued my Education with Sharon and learned so much from the feed-in braiding technique, No knot braiding, multiple loc repair methods, spring, Havana, Senegalese & kinky twist. It was a great place for me to grow as a hairstylist. I met so many influential positive people & worked alongside many great Stylists and Barber who all taught me key fundamentals to becoming successful in this industry #1 being how you treat your clients.

Charity makes each of her clients feel like superstars. Caroline takes her time to give each of her clients their desired style. Rod and all of his clients are walking advertisements, he has built his brand and has great customer service skills. Alicia always has great energy and positive vibes and one of the strongest work ethics I’ve ever seen. LadyJ is kind, Funny, uplifting, assertive, successful Black businesses owner who makes each client feel special . ”The people I was looking for were looking for me” & I found my tribe in each of them. They all have such amazing skills, and I learned so much from them.

I prayed and asked how will I follow in the footsteps of Madame C.J.Walker, and the message that came to me was “See a need & fill it” I noticed everyone I came into contact with all dealt with common hair and Scalp issues(dryness, breakage, thinning, dandruff & itchiness & odor from working out). That was the Need. So I created a natural hair care line to help with hair and scalp needs  our #1 Selling products are

“TELL ME WHEN TO GROW” hair growth oil,

“ITCH DON’T KILL MY VIBE” dandruff & itch Eliminating oil, and

“SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN” Hydrating hair and scalp cleanser.

HIP HOP HAIR CARE was born, an all Natural Essential Oil hair care line with fun Hip hop names that actually work!! Hip Hop Hair Care is definitely making an impact on the world & everyone who is looking to Naturally Hydrate, refresh,thicken ,grow & relieve itchiness & dandruff this is the Line for you.

Being around such inspiring individuals encouraged me to go for it and become the best version of myself & that is what the hip hop hair care brand represents being who you always wanted to be right now!! I am now a business owner in Mesa at Hip hop hair care Salon.  Where I use & sell my products to my clients, family, friends & fellow Hairstylist to help Everyone achieve their Healthy HAIR GOALS!!

I’m definitely on my journey following in the footsteps of Madame C.J.Walker & I know this is only the beginning. I want to be an inspiration to those around me, so they know no matter their background or what obstacles they face it is possible to achieve your goals and dreams, and sometimes it takes a leap of faith to fulfill your purpose.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There were many obstacles and hardships, but I choose not to focus on the obstacles but more on the lessons learned from certain challenges that I faced and overcame. It either made me stronger or taught me the type of knowledge you can only gain from enduring those types of experiences.

Hip Hop Hair Care – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a Natural Haircare Specialist I Specialize in protective Hairstyles that promote healthy hair growth. I do many different types of protective styles & Braids, and that’s what I’m known for very neat intricate designs, but above all encouraging hair to grow, I really like Loc repair & attachment its fascinating to me to see the transformation.

Hair growth is also what I take pride in it takes lots of patience & nourishment, but it’s so beautiful seeing healthy hair growth. I’m proud of the growth of my Brand; it’s my Baby. I love inspiring thoes around me & encouraging others grow. Me & several of my clients accepted the six weeks “Tell Me Whenhen to Grow” challenge I’m excited to see the results!!

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
I wouldn’t do anything differently because struggle is necessary for success. Everything happened exactly the way it was supposed to. And I’m thankful that I made it through. I’m definitely glad I learned to stay Consistent & to go with the flow and accept what was meant for me will come to me and what is not meant for me will pass.

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Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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