Today we’d like to introduce you to Chaunesty Aaliyah
Hi Chaunesty, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story starts as a young girl braiding her BRATZ doll heads in her room acting like it was a hair salon. Growing up I watched my mother do my hair every single Sunday. We would wash, deep condition and detangle my beautiful coily hair and style it. As I got older I started to take care of my own hair as my mother got sick, through that tough time I had to learn how to manage and love my hair. So I started to braid my own hair and I learned through practicing on me it helped me learn what to do on other people. All through high school I braided hair for free and for as little as $20 just to get the practice in. I eventually went back to school to become a licensed cosmetologist after many failed other career attempts. After i graduated from Aveda I worked at a salon called Brian Graham Salon in Northloop Minneapolis. After he closed down in 2020 I open up The Hair Den to continue my passions. The rest is yet to be told….
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
During my time of becoming a stylist I wouldn’t say it’s been an easy or smooth road. There have been many obstacles such as homelessness, loss, and even a pandemic lol. Even trying to find a safe, welcoming home salon after graduating from Aveda was hard. As a black student there weren’t many salons that serviced or valued black clientele. Though it has never been easy, I’ve always taken the hard roads with grace. By doing that I found Brian Graham and started to find others like myself.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Hair Den . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Hair Den is a space for all member of the black and brown communities to come and be beautified. This is a space where you can come as your full self, learn about your curls and leave feeling flawless. THD specializes in all things curly, natural styling, extensions, braids and color.
I’ve been licensed for almost 6 years and in this time I’ve mastered all things texture.
From creative photoshoots to beautiful wedding we do it all at The Hair Den.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
As a business owner I take pride in the fact that most of my clientele has come from word of mouth. To me that says that the morality, empathy and true care I put into my business, shows. For that I’m thankful
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thehairdenmn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theehairden?igsh=cWhzejB5aGlpNDNy&utm_source=qr
