Send us Fan Mail Your hairstylist sees the version of you that shows up before the win, before the confidence, and sometimes before you even believe in yourself. Courtney Garrett sits down with Kentoyia Harris, her longtime hairstylist and the owner of Growing Hands Salon And Academy, for a real conversation about natural hair care, entrepreneurship, and the work people never see behind a finished style. Kentoyia shares what it took to become a licensed cosmetologist with limited support, including the grind of long commutes and the “okay, now what?” moment after getting licensed. We talk about why cosmetology is a business, not just a service, and how retail management taught her leadership, customer service, and standards she now brings into the salon. She also opens up about humbling early mistakes, learning who she wants to serve, and why education is at the center of her brand. If you care about healthy natural hair, you’ll love the myth-busting and mindset shift: clean hair helps hair grow, trims matter, and negative talk about hair keeps people stuck in “cover it” culture. We also get into salon ownership realities like ambiance, self-care, and how social media has changed client expectations, plus Kentoyia’s vision for a training center that teaches people to maintain their hair and carry old school value forward. Listen all the way through for her advice to aspiring salon owners: do it scared, and learn the business side as seriously as the art. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more entrepreneurs can find it. Sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) – Make it in Michigan with the support of a robust partner network designed to help entrepreneurs succeed. Learn more at michiganbusiness.org. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the ELM Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode be sure to subscribe for more inspiring conversations with entrepreneurs and business leaders. Connect with us: Follow us on Instagram: @cmuresearchcorpVisit our website: www.cmurc.com/elmDon't forget to leave us a review and share this episode with your friends. Stay tuned for our next episode where we continue to explore the journeys of extraordinary individuals in the world of business and innovation. Until next time, keep exploring, learning, and making an impact!
