Today we’d like to introduce you to Antoinette Freeman.
Antoinette , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a Liberian-born U.S. citizen, and I started LaidByPYT when I was only 16 years old. I started off doing hair by myself in my room, just practicing, learning, and taking the clients I could. What began as something small quickly started growing as more people began booking with me and supporting my work.
As my clientele grew, so did my business. I went from doing hair out of my room to eventually moving into a shop during my freshman year of college. That was a huge moment for me because it showed me that something I started at such a young age could actually become a real business.
Since then, I’ve continued to grow, perfect my craft, build my clientele, work with brides and bridal parties, travel for clients, and become more serious about the business side of LaidByPYT. I’ve also had the opportunity to organize and participate in various professional photoshoots that allowed me to showcase my work, creativity, and the overall vision I have for my brand. Each experience has helped me grow not only as a hairstylist, but also as a business owner.
LaidByPYT has grown into so much more than just doing hair for me. I’m now working toward expanding the brand into hair products by soon offering my own inventory of wigs and bundles. This next step will allow my clients to receive both quality hair and quality services directly through my brand, while also helping me grow LaidByPYT into a larger and more complete beauty business. I’m excited to continue expanding, creating new opportunities, and seeing how far I can take something I started in my room at 16.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. I’ve had to deal with multiple location changes while also trying to build and maintain a business throughout high school and college. At the same time, I was growing into adulthood and dealing with real-life changes and responsibilities outside of my business.
There were definitely moments where balancing everything became difficult, but LaidByPYT has always been something that kept me grounded. No matter what I was going through personally, my business gave me something to stay focused on because doing hair is genuinely something I love. Every challenge has taught me how to adapt, stay consistent, and keep going even when everything around me was changing.
As you know, we’re big fans of LaidByPYTtLLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
LaidByPYT LLC is a hair and beauty brand that I’ve built around creativity, confidence, and giving my clients an experience they can feel good about. I specialize in wig and frontal installs, custom styling, and bridal hair, but I’ve always wanted the brand to feel bigger than just appointments.
One thing I’m especially proud of is how much effort I put into the visual side of LaidByPYT. I’ve done multiple photoshoots, model calls, and creative projects to showcase my work in a way that feels professional and true to my brand. I enjoy putting together different looks, concepts, outfits, and hairstyles because I want people to see the creativity behind what I do, not just the finished install.
Those photoshoots have also helped me grow as a business owner because they’ve pushed me to think about branding, presentation, marketing, and how I want LaidByPYT to be recognized. I’ve learned that being a hairstylist is only one part of running a successful beauty business. There is also the creative direction, customer experience, consistency, and the way you present yourself and your work.
What sets LaidByPYT apart is that I’m always looking for ways to improve and expand. I’ve built a strong service-based business, worked with everyday clients as well as brides and bridal parties, traveled for clients, and created content that represents the vision I have for the brand. I’m also working toward expanding LaidByPYT into quality hair products, including wigs and bundles.
What I want readers to know most is that LaidByPYT is still growing. I’m proud of what I’ve created from such a young age, but I have a much bigger vision for where I want the brand to go.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned throughout my journey is that patience is key. Everything doesn’t happen overnight, and there is always room for improvement no matter how good you think you are. I’ve learned to stay open to learning, growing, and perfecting my craft because there is always another level to reach.
I’ve also learned to never place myself in competition with anyone else. Everyone is on their own journey, moving at their own pace, and what is meant for someone else does not take away from what is meant for me. I try to stay focused on my own growth, my own goals, and becoming better than I was before.
Most importantly, I give all glory to the Most High. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without God, and through every opportunity, challenge, and accomplishment, I continue to trust His timing and remain grateful for how far He has brought me.
Pricing:
- Frontal Installation 175$
- Updo Ponytail Installation 215$
- Closure Installation 145$
- Reinstalls 150$
- 1v1 Wig Classes 450$
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Laidbypytllc.as.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laidbypytllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BSrQRHchq/
Image Credits
@ernest.norris
