Levona Davis, a 16-year-old entrepreneur wanting to share her joy of doing hair with others–and a junior here at Baruch College Campus High School–said owning a hair business is one of her passions, and despite the challenges she faces, she perseveres with her hair styling business, @nisastyledit__.
Davis said that, to her, hair means a lot more to her than just hair; it’s her form of conveying how she feels–something that changes based on her mood–and who she is.
“The purpose of [styling my hair] is to really make a statement; it’s to make a claim on my hair. This is something that I use to express myself to the fullest form,” said Davis. “I feel like part of it is also my culture. In Jamaica, natural hair is something that is looked up to, and so I love showing it off.”
The inspiration for doing hair came at an early age while seeing her mother and aunts doing their hair, Davis said, and she found her identity and personal connection with her hair through her mother.
“I grew up with my mom doing my hair all the time, and I remember her doing it in a way that I didn’t like because I didn’t think it says me, so I started doing it myself,” Davis said. “And that’s when I really fell in love with it; I fell in love with the concept of doing hair.”
According to Davis, styling her hair became a pastime, and she eventually started doing other people’s hair.
“Making people feel beautiful and making people feel pretty in the way that they want to, it’s an indescribable feeling,” said Davis. “I like to see people with a smile on their face and looking at themselves and saying, ‘this is it.’”
Her age, however, was a significant challenge leading to doubts from others, Davis said. Some clients questioned her pricing, technique, knowledge and more. But she says this is a learning experience, and the doubts don’t deter her from her goal.
“I think a lot of the time others underestimate young people,” Davis said. “Me being young and a business owner, I feel like that’s just more of an accomplishment than anything.”
Despite the initial uncertainty around her business and lack of motivation, Davis said she was heavily supported by her family.
“Creating business cards, a website, an Instagram page, decorating my policies, and stuff like that. Buying all the stuff I need,” Davis said. “I was invested in a lot from my brothers and family, and I’m always so grateful.”
According to Davis, her first client was her close friend Mariana Rodriguez who initially complimented Davis’ hair, leading to a booking. Despite her excitement, Davis said this was the first time she faced the difficulties of braiding hair as a business.
“The most challenging part is standing there for hours; not eating, not drinking,” Davis said. “Standing there and fully committing to getting the hairstyle done.
According to Davis, Rodriguez’s hair took around nine consecutive hours–without breaks–to complete. She said because she’s in a professional setting, she has less flexibility with time.
Contrasting her nervousness of how others would react to Rodriguez’s hair and initial request to stay anonymous to the credit, Davis said she eventually came around to sharing her business with others after seeing Rodriguez face positive feedback for her hair.
“I did her hair and that was my first time being a hairdresser,” Davis said. “It was a moment that I always think about sometimes because, for my first time, I did a great job.”
The validation of Rodriguez’s hair was the start of Davis’ confidence in her hair business, she said, and she has begun to take the business more seriously.
Davis said the journey of her hair and starting a business has helped her learn things about herself and grow as a person. Her confidence shines through her hair.
“If I like [my hairstyle], I wear it with confidence. And if I step into a room and five other people don’t like it, that’s on them, because I do,” Davis said.
