Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique (Mo) Crews.
Hi Monique (Mo), so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I would first like to say THANK YOU for this opportunity. My name is Monique A. Crews (MO). I was born and raised here in Akron, OH. I have been a licensed cosmetologist since 2005. I never intended to have a career in the beauty industry, but God has a way of redirecting your life by the choices and decisions we make.
Passionate, creative, resilient and loving of my craft, I have been able to establish myself as a successful yet innovative advanced hair architect, colorist, and business owner over the past 20 years. While in high school I completed my cosmetology hours and graduated in 2002. I finally took my cosmetology test and became a licensed cosmetologist in 2005. If my mom hadn’t pushed me like she did, who knows where I would be today. While in high school I worked as a receptionist at Chez Marchele Salon. Looking back now I can say this was definitely my foundation. I then went to work as a shampoo assistant for a little over a year at A&A Headquarters then applied for my advanced cosmetology license. I continued to build my craft and my clientele then 2011 I became the owner of Hair Velocity LLC.
While I continued to grow a loyal clientele, I pursued my dream of being an educator by working with Decca Plus over the next 5 years. With all of my education and knowledge, I was able to expand my craft to start my own product line, Hair Velocity Vibes; all while working with renowned women such as Raquel Eatmon and Gloria James.
In 2016, I graduated with my certification in Medical Billing and Coding while holding a 4.0 every semester but one. At that time, I thought I wanted to change careers not realizing how much this would impact my life today. I then expanded my business and opened up a full salon in 2017. Unfortunately, I had to close and downsize a year later, then covid happened. I had plenty of time to focus on what’s next for Hair Velocity. Currently I am taking classes to become a certified herbalist. My goal is to incorporate my Medical billing and coding, my herbalism and relaxation for my clients to have a healthy scalp to promote hair growth.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh my, where do I begin! Life is a big ball of obstacles and challenges. As much as I would love to do without them, I know they are necessary for growth. The two biggest challenges I have faced in the industry are being judged based off what I look like on the outside and being compared to others in and out of the industry. Now that I am a little seasoned in this industry neither bother me. I had to go through some growing pains to get to this point. I have never been one to do things like anyone else, and I have known this about myself since I was a kid.
The biggest obstacle I had to overcome in hair school was “Perm Rods”! Everything we did was timed to have us ready for our state board testing. I remember it took me over 12 hours to roll the entire mannequin head up the first time we did this. We had to complete this in 45 minutes; boy did I have my work cut out for me! It took me weeks to get my time down, but needless to say I never gave up and eventually passed. The day I finished before the timer went off, my entire class clapped and cheered with me, I can still visualize this day!
I have had multiple people insinuate that I don’t have problems or go through things in life, I literally just laugh every time! I am a little private, but I do tend to share about my life experiences. At this point I just hope it’s my gratitude for having a second chance at life through the grace of God that people see. Let’s just be real we all go through things in life! That’s why we all have our own unique story to tell. Thankfully I don’t look like what I have been through. When I show up to the salon, I am very relaxed, no makeup, hair is usually tied up. I just like to be in my own comfort zone! As my grandmother used to say, that is the reason why I know “God blessed my hands”. I get to write my own rules for my business; in doing so, I have built my own image knowing that first impressions are everything. However, it is important for me to get to know you before judging. Especially in the beauty industry, we are not like anyone else, we make people look and feel good! No matter what point I am at in life, I will show up as my authentic self!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in maintaining a healthy scalp and hair to promote hair growth. I am known for my silk press and being able to create bomb.com curls with my flat iron. What sets me apart from others is that I am very intentional about caring for my client’s hair. I will deny a service if my client’s hair can’t handle it. Not because I don’t want to do it but because the integrity of my client’s hair is more important. I am most proud of my resilience. Even on the super hard days I never gave up!
How do you think about happiness?
Some things that I do or have done that bring happiness to my life!
Meditation for calming my nervous system at the start of everyday.
Journaling for new inspiration and to release and express my emotions.
Positive Affirmations over my life, enough said.
A LOT OF PRAYER!
My pride and joy… my amazing children!
Gardening to sow new seeds.
Baking! To bake away the stress!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vagaro.com/hairvelocity
- Instagram: hair_velocity
