Conversations with Cia-Simone Newell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cia-Simone Newell.

Hi cia-simone, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I attended Bedford High School and always had big dreams, especially when it came to basketball and pursuing a career in sports management. Like many young people, I faced some challenges academically early on, but during my senior year I made a commitment to take my future more seriously and turn things around.

My cousin and I graduated together, and an opportunity presented itself for me to apply to college. I was accepted to University of Toledo on an academic scholarship, something I was incredibly proud of because it showed me what was possible when I applied myself.

I attended for my first semester, but after my second semester I didn’t meet the GPA requirements to continue and had to take time away from school. Instead of sitting around and wasting time, I decided to find a productive path forward.

One day, while my brother was getting a haircut, the barber asked if I wanted to try cutting hair. What seemed like a simple question ended up changing my life. I enrolled in barber school in 2017, graduated in 2018, earned my barber license, and haven’t looked back since.

Barbering has allowed me to build lasting relationships, serve my community, express my creativity, and eventually become a business owner. What felt like a setback at the time ended up leading me to the career and purpose I was meant to find.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced my share of setbacks and moments where I had to decide whether to keep going or give up.

One of my first challenges came when I stepped away from college. At the time, it felt like a major setback because I wasn’t sure what direction my life was headed. Fortunately, that led me to barbering, which ended up becoming my passion and purpose.

As I built my career, I learned that being talented behind the chair is only part of the journey. Building a clientele, earning people’s trust, staying consistent, and learning the business side of things all came with challenges. There were times when business was slow, times when I questioned myself, and times when I had to make sacrifices to continue growing.

One of the biggest challenges came after opening my own shop. What should have been one of the most exciting moments of my career quickly became difficult due to ongoing property issues, including repeated water leaks and damage that impacted my business. After investing so much time, energy, and money into the space, I eventually had to make the tough decision to relocate and start over.

Those experiences taught me resilience. They’ve shown me that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about adapting, staying focused, and continuing to move forward even when things don’t go as planned. Every challenge I’ve faced has helped shape me into a better business owner, barber, and person.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a licensed barber, loctician, and wick specialist based in the Cleveland area. While I provide traditional barbering services, my true specialty is locs, wick creation, wick maintenance, and loc repair. Over the years, I’ve dedicated countless hours to perfecting my craft, much of it through self-education, hands-on experience, and a commitment to continuous learning.

In Cleveland, many people know me as “Cino The Wicktician.” I’ve built a reputation for specializing in wicks, also known as Bonks or Congos, a hairstyle that originated in South Florida and has strong roots within African American and Haitian culture. Wicks have become increasingly popular within the hip-hop community, and I’ve had the opportunity to help clients throughout Ohio and many other states maintain their wick journeys.

What sets me apart is my dedication to the health and integrity of my clients’ hair. I don’t just create a style—I help preserve and restore it. Some of the work I’m most proud of involves loc and wick repairs. Many clients come to me after experiencing damage, thinning, breakage, or unsuccessful work elsewhere. Being able to restore not only their hair but also their confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

I also believe locs and wicks are much deeper than a hairstyle. They tell a story. Every stage of the journey represents growth, patience, and individuality. No two sets are exactly alike because no two people have the same story. I love helping clients embrace their natural texture and watching their hair evolve alongside their lives.

What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come. I started with no blueprint and no shortcuts. Through hard work, consistency, and a genuine passion for the craft, I’ve built a name for myself and earned the trust of my community. Knowing that people travel to sit in my chair, recommend me to others, and trust me with something as personal as their hair is something I never take for granted.

I’ve built as “The Wicktician.” It’s knowing that I kept going when it would have been easier to quit. Every client, every referral, every repaired loc, every set of wicks, and every milestone represents years of dedication to my craft. When people see the success, they don’t always see the sacrifices, setbacks, and long hours behind it, but that’s what I’m most proud of—the perseverance it took to build something meaningful from the ground up.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If there’s one thing I’d like people to take away from my story, it’s that setbacks don’t have to define your future. Some of the moments that felt like failures in my life ended up becoming the opportunities that led me to where I am today.

I’m grateful for every client, mentor, friend, and family member who has supported me throughout this journey. The people who have trusted me with their hair, recommended my services, and believed in me have played a huge role in my success.

As I continue to grow, my goal is bigger than just building a business. I want to figure out more ways to give back to my community and inspire others to bet on themselves, trust the process, and keep pushing forward even when the road gets difficult. Whether it’s through barbering, locs, wicks, or simply being a positive example in my community, I hope my journey shows that with dedication, consistency, and faith, it’s possible to create opportunities for yourself no matter where you start.

This is only the beginning, and I’m excited to see where the next chapter takes me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/aa3071f6
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cino.__