Meet Aj Byrd | Natural Hairstylist, Artist, and Entrepreneur

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

Hi Aj, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve been braiding and twisting hair since I was young, but I didn’t really get into doing natural hair until I started working at a natural hair salon. When I wasn’t at the salon, I was still making money doing family, friends’, and associates’ hair, but at home or doing house-calls. Fast forward to a little bit over a year, I wanted an actual space of my own to work in, so I could be more official and professional. Nothing too big though, as long as it was mine. I live in Irving, and I started to see many people with locs, and wondered who was doing their hair, because there aren’t a lot of natural hairstylist out here. I would even ask people where they were getting their hair done, and they would tell me places outside of Irving. Then, something told me I should open a mini hair salon in Irving. So, I found my target area. That’s how it began. So, I started looking up salons in the area and inquiring about suites. The salons I inquired about were either filled or agreed to put me on a waitlist. My heart began to sink because I wanted to have my own suite badly, I was ready for it at that moment. I didn’t want to wait. I wanted my own space ASAP. I started to lose hope, honestly, thinking I couldn’t make it happen. However, a couple days later, I tried again. I looked up salons in the area, and there was one I didn’t reach out to, so I decided to send them a message. The next day, the manager of that salon called me and we agreed on a date and time to look at a suite. All praises to The Most High.
I will admit, after visiting that salon and looking at the suites, I became very doubtful. I started thinking I wouldn’t get much clientele and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to run a business. But, I had a couple friends encourage me. I had to encourage myself because having my own suite and turning it into a mini salon was what I wanted. I prayed over it. I had to do this. This was my “leap of success” moment.
Within two days of visiting the salon, I went back, picked out my suite, got my keys, and I can honestly say, business has been better than I thought it would be since I opened, in February. I am so grateful for that.
Now, my artwork, that’s another story.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My name is Aj, and I am a natural hairstylist. I work with loose, kinky, curly textures and loc’d hair. I have my own mini salon in Irving, Texas. In 2020, I graduated college with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and started teaching that August. In October of 2020, I got hired at a natural hair salon. Two of my students went to that hair salon, but their mom couldn’t get them a hair appointment on a specific day because it was booked. So, after school, I did the two students’ hair. Their mom took a picture of their hair and sent it to the owner of the salon. The owner reached out to me and I was blessed with an opportunity to work there part time. I was teaching on the week days and working at the salon on the weekends. I already had skills of braiding and twisting, since I was little, but while working their, I’ve worked with some incredible ladies and was taught about locs and more natural hairstyles. I caught on really fast.
By May of 2021, I finished out the school year and decided to do hair full time. So, I became a full-time natural hairstylist at that salon until I started my own business in February 2022.
I am mostly proud of my growth, improvement, and my ability to flourish, and it is showing. I can say my business thus far has been quite successful. All praises to The Most High, and to Ms. Eyat for the skills she has taught me, and our relationship. I enjoy seeing a fresh, clean scalp on my clients and watching them get out of my chair with smiles on their faces. I feel like my work speaks for itself.
There are definitely challenges, like running a business on my own, but I enjoy it. Being able to walk into my own suite, set my own hours, make my own money, work for myself, with clients who want me to do their hair, is an amazing feeling. It is worth it. I am very grateful to be able to do so. Other challenges include dealing with picky and unhappy clients. With picky clients, they are very specific. Although, it can be tedious and frustrating at times, those clients help me to improve. Sometimes I’ll get clients that are unhappy and they bring a negative energy into my space. I don’t like that. However, I’ve learned I won’t be able to please everyone, and that’s okay. If clients are unhappy with my work, I would encourage them to go elsewhere, and it’s all good.
I want the world to know that as a stylist, my goal is to get people to love their natural hair no matter what state it is in. I enjoy making people feel beautiful and hyping them up, even the fellas. I also love that clients let me get creative and freestyle their hair. It shows how much they trust me. I also want the world to know that I am flourishing, and I am grateful that people are flourishing with me.

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.
I am an artist, so I enjoy the artsy spots for sure, especially museums. But, I am open to going to new places. I have a lot to explore in Dallas. When it comes to food and drinks, I am always down to try new places. On my list, I am looking forward to try Korean cuisine. I like going to hole-in-the-wall spots with my friends and eating sushi. I love sushi. Blue Sushi Sake Grill is my favorite sushi restaurant. I am always at the one on Mckinney Ave.
I am real chill and laid back, so I like the real chill spots as well, like lounges, where there’s live music and good vibes, and coffee shops.
Recently, The Weed Spot in Downtown Dallas, has become one of my favorite places to hang out, as well.
Otherwise, I like being at home and having movie nights with my friends.
But like I said, I have so many places to explore and check out in the city. I am getting to it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, all praises to The Most High. Thank you madre for supporting your daughter’s business.
My dearest best friend.
Thank you to every single person that has let me do their hair.
Thank you to the people that have supported me in any way.
Thank you Ms. Eyat for your teachings, your blessing, and letting me fly.
Thank you to the people that love my work.
Thank you to my gangstarz, all the other talented stylists I’ve worked with.
Thank you to my loc’starz and all my friends.
We’re flourishing.
Much love to you all.

Website: http://styleseat.com/ajbyrd

Instagram: @flourishwithaj and @vintaj___

Facebook: Aj Byrd https://www.facebook.com/AJByrdyyy