Meet Asharā Knox | Cosmetologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Asharā Knox and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Asharā, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve never really had a thought process behind starting my business, it just happened. I was born with an artistic creative gift and most of my life I’ve been figuring out how to successfully apply Business to it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was always hands-on, artist and creative as a child. I started drawing, painting, sculpting, cooking, whatever crafty things I could get my hands on. I like to say “it’s in me, not on me”. My gift is creativity, connection and how I use the two entities together. I can’t use one without the other and that sets me apart from others. I stared braiding hair when I was 10yrs old, started getting paid for it when I was 13yrs old and had a full clientele by high school including friends, family, teachers and referrals. I was fortunate enough to attend a high school offering a cosmetology program and graduated with both a high school diploma and cosmetology license. My first official job on a payroll was at a hair salon. I went on to work different types of hair salons, nail salons and barber shops over the past 15yrs eventually opening my own salon at the age of 27. Rewarding but not easy discipline and drive helped and is helping me to keep going! My journey has been far from easy, no one’s is. As a child raised by a single parent my family moved a lot, city to city state to state. This was hard because creativity I produced has to come from connections. I’m able to service better when my clients are available to be in a comfortable and vulnerable state. Same for me. If I’m not connecting with someone else I have to be able to connect with myself on an intuitive level in order to activate full creativity. Moving around as a child was hard but I’m grateful for the journey now as it has made me more adaptable and social which helps me to connect with people better and curate spaces for them to to be vulnerable and validated. This makes for the best service and service environment. It keeps the passion for my craft alive as the satisfaction of my work is what helps me power through. On my Journey I’ve learned that work life balance, self love, self actualization and accountability have to be at my forefront! Being a passionate service provider can be draining. In a sense you pour into people and people take. Most times people look to service providers to be refreshed, recharged! So who pours back into the service provider? You must save yourself! Although accomplishing so much financially and being business owner before age 30, I was drowning mentally. I was exhausted emotionally, spiritually and physically. Accomplishing all these things was only outward validation. I had to learn to set boundaries and validate from within. Although pushing through the woes of the pandemic and keeping my salon afloat I was so empty inside I closed my salon 30 days prior to relocating to Dallas with just enough money to make it here. I was so exhausted I figured starting over in a completely different state not knowing anyone was better than what I had built back home… and I was right! Moving halfway across the country was NOT EASY BY FAR, but I learned along the way it was necessary. I learned to step into my individuality, have more trust within myself, and truly love myself first. You only get one You, take care of you as much as possible as urgently as possible as time waits for no one! Being whole and peaceful from within has helped me to deal with hardship better and be of better service to myself and others, especially my clients! I’ve been in Dallas 3.5yrs now despite my challenges including homelessness I’ve rebuilt a full clientele sticking to my business full time, I’ve built new friendships, partnerships and most importantly I’ve grown Me. I’m enjoying my journey as all of it good bad and ugly is what made me who I am today and looking forward to whom I’m becoming! “It’s in me not on me”. I’ve known who I am and the powers of the talent and gifts I’ve possessed all my life and I am so honored, grateful and fortunate because not many can say the same. I want the world to know that amongst these cruel and unusual times, there is still a place for genuine integrity, authenticity and care. There is still an entity devoted to growing better and wiser with time. I am my brand and my story validates it. Par Asharā; Par means “by” or “of” in the French language. I am Asharā Knox! My brand is by Me, of Me and as long as I’m able whatever I release under my brand will be of tenacity, integrity, passion, drive and kindness!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being somewhat new to Dallas I feel like I hit the ground running and enjoyed exploring! Some of my go to places:

AT&T Discover district downtown- great place to explore walk around and grab quick eats at the EXCHANGE Food hall.

Deep Ellum- Great for exploration, eats and nightlife.

Bishop Arts- Great for exploration, eats, eclectic arts and finds.

Spa Castle- Amazing spa day and relaxation year round.

World Springs- Amazing spa day and relaxation during comfortable outdoor weather.

The Start at Frisco- Great food, exploration, nightlife and all things Cowboys!

Katy Trail- amazing scenic walks casual or active with great restaurants options and rest areas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe all credit and recognition to my loyal and faithful clients! This business is my life, Cosmetology is my life! It’s the people who I’ve met along the way that has contributed to my growth, healing and success whether giving me an outrageous tip, frequenting my business, being a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. I find that it’s the people I’ve met along the way that drive me to push through and make the business make sense!

Website: https://parasharallc.setmore.com

Instagram: Par_ashara

Twitter: parasharallc

Facebook: Par Ashara

Image Credits
Asharā Knox

Par Asharā