We had the good fortune of connecting with Dela Ameke-Assou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dela, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started braiding hair when I was 12 years old and have experience in the industry. After graduating high school, I was still braiding but working out of salons I noticed something was missing! The care for hair and great customer service. Though it took a couple of years to step out on faith, I did it and my mission is to care for my clients hair by braiding gently and helping them keep their hair healthy!

What should our readers know about your business?
I own Zion’s Braids & Beautique and Zion’s braiding school. I get excited when I talk about braids because it’s not just the styles, it’s a way of expressing yourself. For example when a client says I want to do something different with my braids, I can say let’s try lemonade braids or add some color. Or let’s go ombre! It never a dull moment braiding hair! It was not easy and it’s still not easy running a business. I had to take a couple of courses, read a lot… Did I mention READING! Lol I had challenges taking my business from solo to a full staffed salon. Only reason because certain people are no longer interested in working together, everyone wants to work for themselves. But there are still few of us that enjoy having others around us in the shop. I’ve learned to not give up. Everyday has its own agenda so does every week, month and so forth. Meaning, what I don’t get done today, God willing, I’ll get it done tomorrow. There’s a poem called don’t quit I learned in 9th grade and it stuck with me.. “when things go wrong as it sometimes will.. when care is pressing you down a bit rest if you must but don’t you quit!” I also started my Braiding school because I couldn’t find the right braidstylists for my salon. If anyone is looking for a salon that cares for natural hair, that won’t braid your hair too tight, that cares how your day.. Zion’s is the place for you. We want to create a braiding shop where our clients are not only satisfied with services but become our extended family.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love going out to eat! I love unique restaurants. My favorite places are Asian Thai 2 go and Murphy’s Mansion in Dallas! To hangout, I’d go to the Harbor in Rockwall! There’s again restaurants, a playground for the little ones and boat rides. Or we can catch a movie at studio movie grill. Anywhere good food is I’m there! 😉

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout-out Jesus lol for giving me the idea to create my business! I’d like to give a shout-out to My mentors Ms Aida Fall and Ms Adja who taught me everything I know! They took me under their wings and were very patient with me. I learned about caring for clients, hair treatments and products. I learned all my business skills from the Bible. Everything from customer service to creating business plans. I don’t know a lot of people, I stay in my lane so I read a lot and that’s where I get most of my information from is the word of God!

Website: www.zionsbraidsboutique.com
Instagram: Zionsbraidsboutique
Facebook: Zionsbraidsboutique
Other: Instagram and Facebook for the school: @zionsbraidingschool