Inspiring Conversations with Onesti Strong of Braid Slayerz LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Onesti Strong.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My passion for hair began long before I ever imagined owning a business. Growing up, I was surrounded by women who had a gift for creating beauty with their hands. I watched my mother style hair from home, along with my grandmother, whom I affectionately called “Mawmaw,” and my aunt Yvette, who were both licensed beauticians. By the age of 11, I had naturally picked up the craft simply through observation. There was something fascinating about watching beauty come to life from the palms of their hands.

I went on to attend what was formerly known as The Ohio State School of Cosmetology at the Great Southern Shopping Center on South High Street and became a licensed cosmetologist in 2011. Although hair was always my passion, I eventually pursued a career in healthcare for financial stability, continuing to service clients on the side while furthering my education in nursing.

When COVID-19 disrupted the workforce, I found myself at a turning point. I decided to lean back into my first passion and began servicing clients from my home alongside one of my cousins. What initially started as a way to navigate an uncertain time quickly grew into something I hadn’t anticipated. Through word of mouth, consistency, and the relationships I built with my clients, my clientele expanded so rapidly that I eventually outgrew working from home and transitioned into a salon space.

For a while, I continued balancing occasional healthcare contracts with my growing business, but eventually the demand for my services allowed me to dedicate myself entirely to the beauty industry. I’ve now been blessed to work solely behind the chair for the past five years, building BraidSlayerz LLC into a business rooted in passion, perseverance, and genuine connections with the people I serve.

Outside of the salon, I’ve also had opportunities to coach young athletes in various sports, which has been another meaningful way for me to mentor and pour into our youth.

One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been my previous involvement with the Van Buren Center. During the pandemic, I initially volunteered to assist with their back-to-school hair drive, and what began as a one-time opportunity has turned into an annual commitment for the past four years. Each year, I provided a full salon setup and volunteered my services to help displaced children return to school feeling confident, beautiful, and cared for. It’s something incredibly close to my heart because I believe every child deserves to feel good about themselves, regardless of their circumstances.

Looking back, my journey hasn’t necessarily followed a traditional path, but every experience has played a role in getting me where I am today. From healthcare to entrepreneurship, coaching, and community service, I’ve learned that success isn’t always about following one specific plan. Sometimes it’s about recognizing the gifts you’ve been given and having the courage to build something meaningful from them.

Today, BraidSlayerz LLC represents more than just doing hair. It’s a reflection of where I come from, the women who inspired me, the obstacles I’ve overcome, and the impact I hope to continue making. My business motto is “A Style That Says You,” and I truly believe that beauty is about more than appearance. It’s about helping people feel confident in who they are.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t necessarily describe my journey as a smooth road, but I think my greatest challenge has been learning to trust myself and recognizing that I was capable of creating financial stability outside of traditional employment.

One of the challenges I’ve faced throughout my adult life has been navigating the workforce while living with a visual impairment. After undergoing corneal surgery in 2009, I continued experiencing complications that required ongoing medical attention. Between having clipped stitches in my eye, routine visits with my surgeon every six months, and unexpected appointments due to light sensitivity or corneal abrasions, maintaining the consistency that traditional employment often demands became difficult.

It was never necessarily about my ability to perform my job duties, but rather the unpredictability of my condition and the reality that my health sometimes required immediate attention.

Having worked in healthcare for several years, I was accustomed to the security of a traditional 9-to-5. There’s comfort in knowing that as long as you show up and fulfill your responsibilities, you’re guaranteed a paycheck. Stepping away from that security and trusting that my own talents could sustain me financially was probably one of the hardest adjustments I’ve ever had to make.

I knew I was talented behind the chair, but being confident in your craft and believing you can build a sustainable business from that talent are two completely different things. I had to learn to stand confidently behind my pricing, recognize the value of my time and experience, and stop questioning whether I was capable of making it on my own.

At one point, I invested $1,500 into a business mentor for just 30 days. That was a significant financial commitment for me, and I knew I couldn’t afford to continue mentorship for months. So I made those 30 days count! Between virtual meetings, face-to-face sessions, and exhausting just about every question I could think of, I was determined to absorb as much knowledge as possible. That experience helped lay the foundation for understanding the business side of my passion.

But I think the most defining moment in my journey came toward the end of my final healthcare contract with a urology clinic.

I remember praying consistently, asking God that if healthcare was where I was supposed to remain, He would allow my contract to be extended. Every day, I prayed that same prayer, asking for clarity and direction. I wasn’t necessarily ready to let go of the financial security that came with healthcare, but I was willing to trust whatever direction God had planned for me.

Eventually, I received the call informing me that my contract would not be continued because my services were no longer needed.

And in that moment, I made the decision to trust God wholeheartedly.

I had spent so much time praying for the contract to continue that I hadn’t fully considered that the answer to my prayers might come through a door closing rather than one opening.

Looking back, I truly believe that was the moment I was being pushed to stop depending on the security of someone else’s payroll and start trusting the gifts and opportunities that had already been placed in front of me.

What I thought was the end of one opportunity became the beginning of me fully embracing another.

Since making that decision, entrepreneurship has been an incredible blessing. That doesn’t mean every day has been easy or that I no longer face challenges, but I’ve learned that faith and confidence often require you to move forward without knowing exactly how everything will work out.

Today, I’m grateful not only for the business I’ve built but also for the journey that brought me here. I’ve learned that sometimes the greatest growth comes when you stop trying to control every outcome and trust that what’s meant for you will unfold in its own time.

And for me, that’s exactly what happened.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
BraidSlayerz LLC is a beauty business built on the belief that hairstyling is more than just a service. It’s a form of self-expression, confidence, and individuality. My motto, “A Style That Says You,” reflects the experience I want every client to have when they sit in my chair.

As a licensed cosmetologist since 2011, I specialize in braids, locs, natural hair care, protective styling, and children’s hairstyles. What sets me apart is my versatility, attention to detail, and commitment to providing personalized services that prioritize both healthy hair and beautiful results. I believe every client deserves an experience tailored to their individual needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

I’ve also expanded my brand by introducing my own hair care product, Seven Secrets Oil, encouraging clients to maintain their hair beyond their salon visits.

What I’m most proud of is the trust and relationships I’ve built with my clientele and the opportunity to use my business to give back to the community. Through my annual volunteer work providing hair services to displaced children, I’ve learned that my gift can make an impact far beyond the salon.

Ultimately, I want BraidSlayerz to be recognized not just for beautiful hairstyles, but for professionalism, genuine care, and the confidence my clients leave with. To me, success isn’t simply about how many heads I style, but how many lives I positively impact along the way.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was actually a very introverted little girl. I was naturally curious, observant, and always eager to learn something new. I loved reading informational facts, spending time outdoors exploring nature, and playing basketball, curb ball, riding scooters, and rollerblading with the neighborhood kids. I enjoyed the simple things that allowed me to explore, learn, and just be a kid.

Academically, I was a very bright student, and math was always my favorite subject. I attended a Spanish-speaking school, which came with its challenges, but math was taught in English and quickly became something I gravitated toward. I loved that math was universal, a language that could be understood across cultures regardless of where you came from.

I also spent a lot of time with my great-grandmother, great-grandfather, and grandmother, which I believe contributed to me having somewhat of an old soul. I enjoyed being around my elders, listening, observing, and learning from their experiences.

Looking back, I think I’ve always been a combination of curiosity, independence, and quiet determination. I may not have been the most outspoken child, but I was always paying attention, absorbing knowledge, and finding joy in the world around me. In many ways, those same qualities have followed me into adulthood and shaped the woman I am today.

Pricing:

• Men styles: $55-$75 comes with wash and blowout
• Knotless braids: $200-$300 depends on size but includes wash blowout and hair
• Kids styles: $65-$150 depending on styles but comes with hair and wash as well
• Locs: palm twist or tightening $100-$130 comes with basic style or an extra $30 for something more extravagant
• Seniors: 65 and up styles no more than $50- $100 to meet their needs

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.styleseat.com/braidslayerz
• Instagram: @Braid_Slayerz
• Facebook: @braidslayerz