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

Hi Quia, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have always been a creative. From a young age, I was always writing, drawing, painting, and experimenting with different ways to interpret my creative impulses. Just like the scores of hairstylists out there, I got my start playing with a Barbie styling head. I started doing my own hair in middle school and things took off from there. I got a pixie cut at 14 and never looked back. I enjoyed experimenting with my hair, trying different colors, and techniques. When I was finally burned out on my first career in corporate marketing after 14 years, I decided it was finally time to indulge my inner hairstylist.

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.
People often think of hairdressing as a trade, which, technically it is, but it is absolutely an art form. The ability to transform someone’s mood and self-image through their hair is a super-power and there’s no way to successfully do that if you don’t believe in your craft and put care and passion into it. I got where I am today (a salon suite owner) because I found myself in a full-time job that wasn’t meeting my needs anymore. My career in corporate marketing no longer resonated with me so I quit and went to cosmetology school. After completing my program, I was accepted into a great apprenticeship. I learned a lot over those six months and I will never not be grateful for the experience. However, I quickly outgrew the job once I was promoted into my own styling chair. I have career aspirations and skills that I wanted to nurture that weren’t going to be possible in that job. When quarantine happened, the staff was laid off and I decided after a few weeks that I wasn’t really interested in going back to my old job. When the opportunity presented itself to lease a suite in a salon my friend owns, I got brave and took the leap. Being self-employed is equally scary as it is rewarding. It forced me into a level of personal responsibility that I never exercised before and I am a better human for it. I invest in my business (and thus, myself) with a business coach and continued technical education. And ironically enough, I still do marketing–a lot of it. As it turns out, my previous career has put me several steps ahead of my peers because I don’t struggle with the marketing aspect of growing a clientele and nurturing a new business. Every part of my life experience has led me here and comes into play in one way or another. I think this journey would have been way more difficult without those experiences guiding 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.
– Drinks (well, mocktails for me) at Shoal’s Sound & Service, Lounge Here, Parliament, and Tiny Victories – Dining at Georgie, Mughlai, Tasty Tails, Bucky Moonshines, Pho DK, Las Almas Rotas, Hudson House, and Il Bracco – People watching at The Statler (Waterproof and Bourbon & Banter), Highland Park Village, Klyde Warren Park, Vinetti’s, Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts District, biking the Katy Trail – Socializing at Reveler’s Hall, The Gallery @ Canvas (for The Vintage) – Sightseeing & culture on the McKinney Ave trolley, DMA, Fair Park on foot, Reunion Tower, Cowboys Stadium tour, TBAAL, African American Museum, the Kimbell Museum, the Fort Worth Modern

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?
I didn’t realize it at the beginning of my journey, but having the support of my children is very important to me. I feel validated that they are excited about my career and proudly share my work.

Website: www.quialoveshair.com
Instagram: instagram.com/quialoves_hair
Facebook: facebook.com/quialoveshair
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/quia-loves-hair-addison
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/QuiaQuerisma/

Image Credits
Angela Flournoy Chris McKnight

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.