Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Bello
Hi Kari, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Noir Bella started as the name of a fashion design label I created as a child. I was imaginative, creative and unlimited. Little did I know, not only would the name become the brand I’d create 25 years later, but ironically enough, my last name became Bello to further verify I had manifested this.
Started in 2021, Noir Bella Braiding Co. is an educational hair company that was founded on teaching all things related to hair braiding. Currently located in Norwood, Ohio, Noir Bella Braiding Company offers a variety of braiding trainings. The most popular being The Braid Initiative.
The Braid Initiative is a program in partnership with Hamilton County’s Youth Employment Program to create vocational opportunities for youth in Cincinnati. The program is an intensive 7 week training for youth ages 14-21, who want to learn the art of hair braiding. Students come from all over the city of Cincinnati to get paid to braid! Youth are paid a stipend to complete the training. The program is apart of the county’s initiative to end youth violence. So far, The Braid Initiative has graduated 28 students since June 2024, with the hopes of continuing to spread the Braiding bug!
Currently, we are hosting our Winter Class which begins January 20th, and ends March 7th.
Anyone interested in signing up their youth can call 513-696-6647.
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?
God, no! But it’s definitely been worth the ride. Quick timeline: I started in 2021 but didn’t do much until 2023, mostly out of fear. Two months after having my second child, I opened a separate braiding business in Covington under a different name.
In October 2023, everything went south. I was in a life-threatening car accident with my husband and two kids while taking our oldest to his preschool interview. My car was totaled. A month later, my husband’s car died. Then, shortly after, we had a gas leak in our house that caused our water to be shut off for a month in the middle of February. We had two kids, no cars, no heat, no water, and no money.
But I would take our kids to the library when I wasn’t working, and I started printing out pictures of our dream life. We created what I call a “vision wall.”
In April, I got the opportunity to partner with the county to offer braiding training. God was working, and it changed our lives. Now, we’re launching our third class with them. We’ve graduated 28 students, and we have 3 students (ages 16-17) who started in June 2024 and became “Mentors” in our Fall 2024 class. By the end of the Winter class, they’ll be eligible to receive a boutique registration from the State Board of Ohio’s Cosmetology, allowing them to operate as braiders in a salon.
That time in my life taught me the power of staying positive no matter what. Things can change at any moment, no matter how tough they seem.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a braider, my favorite style is box braids. While they can take some time, the look is so iconic and meaningful to the culture. The long, flowy braids with the perfectly laid baby hairs never miss!
What sets me apart as a braider who teaches others is my approach. Many people don’t have a system when braiding, but I use the same products, hair, and technique for every client. It’s what builds trust and ensures my clients always get the exact look they want.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I was born and raised in Cincinnati. It’s home. As a daughter of an immigrant, whose family comes from the UK and Dominica, W.I, the thing I love most about my city is the community feel you get here. My son goes to school with the children of peers that I went to elementary and high school with.
The most recent braiding class we held was at my former high school.
Everyone knows each other in some way. It’s a small city, but it’s a beautiful thing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkaribello?igsh=MWo2Nmd6MHE3d2Qybg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FFxmAqRpp/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kari-bello-3870102a2?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@karifromyoutube?si=QjtcrS2WwFaQQMM3
