Inspiring Conversations with Shantel Collins of Dr.Shell Loc’D LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shantel Collins

Hi Shantel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was raised as a sheltered child, so having creative expression was restricted and limited to those who raised me. I was the oldest of four children and the middle child of seven, so having recycled clothing was normal for me. I never could pick my own things at the store which hindered my identity at an early age. I was a continually active child in Elementary school for sports like Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and the Kickball team on weekends to escape the chaos at home. When I started the fourth grade, we had a project to turn in as an icebreaker for the second day of school. As I sat at home trying to complete all the boxes that were required to have a full poster, I had struggled with the questions about myself.

Fast forward to Middle School, my father as my sole provider and went away to do adult supervision for two years. I was forced into unlivable circumstances with someone that was supposed to protect me. Already struggling with identity issues, I went to an urban school in the city where I was not popular, and my clothes proved my family had hardships. I put all my focus and love into school and made it my escape from the outside world. I started writing in a journal and coloring detailed cutouts I would find anywhere in the art room at school or in between scribbled coloring books at places we would reside in. When my dad was released, I was turning fifteen and to my dad’s surprise I was filling out womanly. Within months, we would reside in a new state and again me searching for the “ABOUT ME” identity that my heart was searching for.

When I finally made a friend in High School, I thought I was hot stuff. She came from an even bigger family and was the oldest as a twin. I thought she was the coolest person in the world because she liked me. We started going to the mall, I was trying on clothes and started getting warm feelings about myself. We both got jobs and started getting our nails done and buying things we liked instead of just trying things on. I was starting to be able to fill in the boxes “ABOUT ME”. I was thriving in school about to graduate top ten of my class and staying focused on myself. While working at a restaurant and meeting people all the time. A customer came in and complimented me on my hair and as we spoke more, she was in town for a brief time and asked if I could do her hair the same. I agreed as she said she would pay me more than I ever would see working eight hours at the restaurant. I was not popular at school. I was almost eighteen and I was happy, and she liked my hair! I was restricted to doing my hair because over the years I had to choose; my hair or activities in school, college applications and it not being a necessity at home I was so ready. She loved her hair! So much that she told her relatives, and I stayed busy busy! I had money I did not know what to do with because my dad sheltered me, and I only had that one friend growing in to this “About ME”. I was involved in cross country training the last month before graduating, so between my international baccalaureate studies and reaching out to Military to see whom fit my best interest for my future goals. I consumed myself in things outside of the home to escape the chaos of my reality.

Things gradually got better with practice and realizing that I kept trying to fill those boxes instead of standing out of that box and being who I am is what brought me here to the east valley of Phoenix, Arizona. I have been doing hair for over 10years to express myself for others to feel at their best. We are our hair. I enjoy doing hair with expression! I love when my clients let me wash their hair and create a release of endorphins and cortisol. Through hair therapy I create safe spaces for them to talk or not, because silence appointments matter too. I am not just doing your hair; I am serenading your identity that you believe in. I can customize every experience for my clients without tainting my own in any way and I love that. I promote positivity and personal perspective with my clients I enjoy going lengths to stretch their minds and not their hair. I have learned throughout my life that shaving the details of a story just takes the suspense out of the results. While I educate myself when my clients say that they do not like something I communicate to them that it will require certain upkeep, and some will find alternatives and others are committed to the lasting results. So, to end this “ABOUT ME” story, when my clients leave, they have more than a haircut or a wash and style but a boost of identity reassurance that they have others complement them by saying how much they are glowing!!!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would not use the word smooth but consistent for surprises. At every new behavior or level there is something to be unlearned. Yes, there was struggles every turn of the way and that is what makes the results worth it. You cannot have great days without having had a few bad ones. My aunt told me as a youngster that you go through life learning what you like to do and what you do not like to do. You learn everything and not just stick to one thing. You are going to get hundreds of no’s and all it takes is one yes! You must seize the opportunity when it comes across and be aware of the risk if there is any. So having struggles was not the worse. It was losing connections with people through situations and having to grow from it alone. I had a big family and I want everyone to win and I found that everyone does not see what you see for yourself. We are all important beings and like I had to find my identity, we are only waiting to walk in front of the right door that has a yes on the other side.

We’ve been impressed with Dr.Shell Loc’D LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
When educating my natural hair clients with the tools to create, communicate, and collaborate with the knowledge about one’s hair while being interested in starting in a healthy hair journey. Natural Hair is defined by hair that has not been altered by chemical straighteners, such as relaxers and texturizers and lighteners. Natural hair is most often described as coarse or tough to comb through but comes in various curl types and textures. Natural Hair can repair it’s self if not badly damaged at the acid mantle with proper care and combinations of products (called the prescription).
I educate my clients about what they call their hair which is to bring knowledge to the forefront of manifesting the gratitude of process starting with their hair journey. And to educate clients, to have patience with their hair because every hair journey is different. I am licensed and experienced in cosmetology here in Arizona. I also offer all lightening services as well if any one may be interested in giving their locs/hair little to a lot of color.

Prep Questions before finding a stylist are as follows:
What your hair care is before your stylist is your responsibility and your foundation?

Necessary Consulting Questions when you need to ask when starting any important service that takes commitment are as follows:
Stage 1 Where are you going?
Patience is first because our hair must be manipulated to loc hair naturally without products. Some products are good but a lot ARE NOT!!!!
Allow your hair to grow, drink your water, and remember to apply the script!!
When starting locs, you have many options and methods that hair can be manipulated to start resistant hair!
What will work for your hair will not always work for another. With pictures ask all the questions you can?

The services that I provide because I am so new to Phoenix, Arizona, are On-the-Go Locs! By appointment only. I am Licensed Cosmetologist in Arizona and have a mobile set for my clients. I can be found social media Instagram, Facebook professionally.
For all other services, pricing, or specifics I would ask that you follow me with a DM @AZDRSHELL IG for a consultation time and date.
I can be found in the East Valley at Super Cuts, by consultations only a hair wash is required.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
When I entered this industry, I was so used to sitting in the salon waiting for hours waiting to get my hair done because my stylist was booked and physically did not have enough hands or time to do everyone. I watched her every other weekend. She would work and they would pay her in cash, and she was always smiling. Throughout bobby pins falling out of the cape to tripping over her cords. She was tired but she was happy. I would like to bring that back. Change is good. The most important rewarding part of the services was the experience. When the experience of coming in like the world put you in a gloom and a sense of identity switch, little sparkle of therapy, and a lot of skills and experience turned you into that FIERECE you!!!!! Those TLC moments have been replaced by machine running abilities, our customers want it fast, cheap, and lasting. So, if I had a magic wand to bless the industry, I would choose to find a way that collectively as a Beauty industry. If we combine our knowledge and make our skills and experience accessible to those just starting out in the industry. It’s okay to show the process, because we all come up with our own ingredients for our creative sauce. We have had our own battles starting school, finishing, and testing out. But if you really love what you do. Let us do a big mash up of old school trends versus new age trends! They say if it is not broken do not fix it. WHAT IF we do conferences for Esthetician/Barber/Cosmetology CON???!! Panel of the in with the out-industry tips. New vs the new industry tips to spread creativity love and not competition.

Pricing:

• style only 50+
• retwist 60+
• starters 40+
• extentions 100+
• Color change 150+

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drshelllocd.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azdrshell
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AZDRSHELL
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@drshelllocdAZcos
• Other: drshell.locdllc@yahoo.com

Image Credits
All pictures were taken with permission of the individuals. I created the ad with my information to post on story and to stay in the media eyes on an android phone called Canva.
I attended the 3rd Mecaphx Conference of 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. I am smiling really big next to the person that started it all MOTO KINJO. I spoke to him multiple times picking his brain as a baby in the industry after being Licensed. Moto was the best connection I had coming to AZ! I have followed him for sometime and every chance I get I am looking for a class or an opportunity to get better at serving slay!!
I love all parts of the beauty industry!!