Meet Kenya Rose | Short Hair Expert & owner of Kockē Cosmetics

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

Hi Kenya, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
My opinion may differ from many on this subject. I don’t give up on myself. In business, there may be a pause and reset, but I’ve been a dedicated entrepreneur for 20 years. I look at other successful companies and I envision myself being just as successful. The only thing that I give up on is dead weight. Everyone won’t climb to the top with you. They won’t see your vision. I give up on getting others to see the big picture. If you had the vision, go alone if you have to. Just don’t quit.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Hello! My name is Kenya Rose and I am a boutique (blonde) specialist in Memphis Tennessee. My daughter and I, are the owners of Noir Rose Salon Inc. I’m an artist for Redken NYC and the creator of Kockē Cosmetics. The journey of becoming successful is not for the faint of heart. What I can tell you is, you cannot scale yourself back for anyone. Remaining true to yourself, and your purpose takes discipline. You may lose a few so called friends or family members along the way and you have to be okay with that. You must never stop learning and be willing to be a student at all times. The biggest challenge for our business was relocating one year prior to the pandemic. The ability to stay afloat throughout the chaos was a bit challenging. A lot of sacrifices were made but we made it through. Tough times can either make a break you and they show you how little you can depend on others. Noir Rose is our brand. It represents a resurrected flower. The rebirth of a rose. In business, you must be willing to pivot…often.

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.
Memphis, Tennessee is a very cultural city. It has its own culture, swag and language. A must visit is the National Civil Rights Museum. You have to grab a bite to eat at Shuga Shack or Mahogany’s in Harbor Town. A Monday night of live music at LOVE. Brunch at Bosco’s on the square. At any moment, there’s a great rooftop party in Downtown Memphis. Is one of those IYKYK type of things. Loflin Yard has s great vibe as well as Slider Inn. Of course, you have to grab tickets to a Grizzlies game or a Redbirds game. This time of year at the AutoZone stadium they’ve decked the diamond and you can ice skate there. It is simply breathtaking!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My two heartbeats are my reason. They’re my why’s. Tieranee is a successful extension expert who travels the world making women look absolutely stunning. (@tieraneerose). Her drive and work ethic remind me of my younger self. It reminds me of why I became a hairstylist. My little one is 9 and she is a content creator. Everything is content. She reminds me to record and show my work. If I won’t, she will. They keep me grounded, abreast and youthful. I love my girls!! They’re my biggest accomplishments by far.

Website: www.noirrosesalon.com

Instagram: @kenyarose

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/kenyarose

Twitter: @noirrosesalon