Today we’d like to introduce you to Nigel Mask.
Nigel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It was around the age of 12 while in the junior high school, that my journey to becoming a stylist and entrepreneur began. Junior high is such a pivotal time in a student’s life. For many, it’s the time in life when we begin defining our personal style and taking agency over how we want to show up in the world. One day during lunch, I could sense my friend not being happy and confident with her look as she expressed her desire to have a more “mature” look like the other young Black girls our age. One question changed everything during that conversation. I asked her, “ask your mom if I can style your hair?” Later she asked her mother, and within the week my friend became my first paying client.
In high school, my mother encouraged me to enroll in the cosmetology program. Knowing of my desire to attend college, she said in case I was unable to find employment directly after college I would have my cosmetology license to use to create a life for myself. As I neared completion of the program, I was presented with a great opportunity to work as an apprentice under the leadership of a seasoned vet in the industry with the end goal of having a solid clientele handed down to me after a year of training. I found myself at a crossroads. Either pursue cosmetology full-time or go to college. I decided enroll at the University of Cincinnati and major in psychology. As I selected my major, I always had the hair industry in the back of my mind. I said to myself, “if I have the opportunity to pursue hair after college, I will.” After completing my degree, having a conditional graduate school acceptance, and a seasonal job coming to an end I found arrived at yet another crossroads. I decided to postpone graduate school and wait for spiritual direction guidance as to what to do next.
September 2012 was my time of waiting for direction. During that time, I leaned on the clientele I built during my time in college as my source of income in the interim. One day I referred my professor, who was my client, to another stylist to receive services that I was unable to provide. My professor reported back to me to share about her experience. Within that salon visit, a conversation about me being her stylist took place. From that conversation, my professor was asked to share the stylists contact with me because a new salon was set to open in the Fall and there was space for me to the join the team. I later did made contact, and in January of 2013, I began working in the salon as a full-time stylist.
Being in the beauty industry over 15+ years, I have had the honor of styling some of the most amazing, brilliant, inspiring, creative, and resilient women in the world! I have arrived to where I am today because of God’s plan for my life, my family, my UC community, and my faithful clients. They’re not just clients; some have become great friends and my extended family. They have truly invested in me as a person and in my business. Likewise, the same has been reciprocated. No matter where some have relocated, we are still in close community. This connectivity affirms that what I am blessed to do is more than hair; it’s ministry.
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?
Thankfully no, the road has not been smooth, and for that, I’m grateful. One thing remains true about entrepreneurship is that it is not for the faint at heart. It takes grit, self-confidence, a willingness to take risks, and faith.
In my first year as a booth-renting stylist, I experienced a week of little to no clientele. If anyone knows anything about renting a booth, they understand rent money is due regardless if you have a successful week or not. In my case, rent was due at the close of business every Saturday. During that week of uncertainty, I sat in my apartment and thought to myself, “what if I apply for a job? I need steady income.” Just as that thought came to mind it was it was dropped in my spirit that if I had the time and energy to work another job, then I had the energy to invest in my business. I immediately went into strategic mode and never experienced that again.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
On paper, I am a licensed cosmetologist with the credentials to own and operate my own salon. However, I am an image consultant, hair artist, hairapist (hair + therapist) and the list goes on. I specialize in, and I’m known for creating an all-around elevated salon experience. My focus is on the individual, their well-being, and creating a hairstyle that fits into their lifestyle. I individualize the hairstyle to enhance their overall style and confidence all while being non-compromising when it comes to the integrity of their hair. I also create a salon culture that is grounded in safety to be one’s authentic self and encourages honest and transparent communication, sense of community, and laughter!
I service both relaxed and natural textures of hair. I love that has life– It moves, has a natural luster! I enjoy working with various types extensions. I believe extensions can be seen as accessory. When I have an extension consultation I ask, “who do you want to be?” Extensions gives me as a hair artist an opportunity to create looks that the hair may sometimes not naturally allow.
I am most proud of the professional reputation that proceeds me and my work and the feedback on the environment that I create in my salon space. How people look when they leave my chair is important, but not as important than how they feel. They could choose to invest their time and resources with anyone, so I’m grateful they invest their time with me.
What sets me apart from others in an industry full of gifted, talented, and creative people is that there is only one Nigel C. Mask, and no one can be me. I am uniquely gifted to serve in only a way that I can because of who I am.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’ve have the privilege to engage with K-12 students both locally and nationwide speaking on topics centered around entrepreneurship, higher education, and the field of cosmology. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to style serval national musical artists, style for an international play and streaming service.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/nigelsgiftedhands
Image Credits
Tiera Dobbins
Brittney Kelley-Harrison
Katelyn Jackson-Nnake
Nici Ruffin
Lauren Lacey-Young
Andrea Sabugo
Iris Mannings
Sali K Eboni Hall
