Meet Deresa Clay of Hair I Am in Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deresa Clay.

Deresa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I had insecurities regarding my appearance as a little girl, I grew up in foster care and had no one to do my hair since I was in the third grade. I graduated from Aveda Institute in January 2002. I did very well and found out not only was I passionate about healthy hair care, I was also very talented. I reunited with my father after not knowing or seeing him since I was 2 years of age, packed everything up and moved to Detroit. I resided in Southgate, MI and continued doing hair for about 3 years before moving back to Minneapolis. It was a struggle starting over again but it was easy picking up clientele. I decided to move to Scottsdale, AZ in 2014 and established my very own salon Hair I Am where I am currently today.

Has it been a smooth road?
Hair is everything but smooth. You deal with not so nice clients. So many issues within certain business structures until you get fed up and decide to just do it on your own. Having children made it a little more difficult. Starting over a few times definitely made the journey interesting and hard to set my foot into solid ground. I have had family issues, financial hurdles to jump over, and just plain loosing ambition and vision for a business I have held onto dearly. It has been the most bittersweet ride ever. But I’m still here.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hair I Am – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Hair I Am focuses on healthy hair care period. It doesn’t matter what style a client requests, I feel it’s my job to always consider the integrity of the hair first. I specialize in natural hair and extensions. I’m know for my weaves!!! I execute the flattest braiding patterns, and I definitely focus on making sure my clients hair grows, as most wear extensions for protective styles and a different look in general. I’m proud that I keep the integrity of hair in mind first and I am honest with my clients. If I can’t do it, I let them know, if the style will damage their hair I let them know, and I teach proper maintenance, I really should do videos but I’m camera shy. I’m proud that I have never given up. What sets me apart is that I’m very welcoming, reasonably priced, and I’m great at what I do, I really do care!!!

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Scottsdale but not the court system, lol!!! I love riding bikes, running along the canals, and the scenic views are amazing. I’m into fitness and health which makes it easy for me to incorporate that into a healthy hair regimen. I don’t like that we can’t drink water from the faucet and some things are just a little slower here. But I love where I live.

Pricing:

• $250 for weave extension
• $55+ for haircuts
• $80+ for color
• $15 eyebrow/upper lip waxing
• $60 for shampoo plus style
• $60-80 for locs and I color them

Contact Info:

• Address: 7024 E Osborn Rd
  Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Suite #4
• Website: www.hairiamaz.com
• Phone: 6123851715
• Email: hairiam23@gmail.com
• Instagram: Hairiam23
• Facebook: Hairiamscottsdale
• Yelp: www.hairiamaz.com
• Other: www.styleseat.com/hairiam

Image Credit:
ME!!!! And Michael Luna took one shot.

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