Meet Sess Cannon | Salon Owner and Influencer

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

Hi Sess, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think that risk taking is a must in excelling in business. I have taken so many risks and every risk taken has led to a success in my business. Even if it did not succeed in initial task, it led to something else that ended up flourishing just from taking the risk to begin with. I have learned that nothing great ever happens in our comfort zones. If we always play it safe, then we aren’t truly ready for our business to reach the next level. I first moved to Texas in January of 2016 with my three kids and my husband. My husband and I decided to take a risk and leave home, Peoria Illinois and come to Texas. I felt led to come to Texas so I could expand my territory in business and we just had faith that the calling to come was the right move to make. It was a major risk leaving our families, leaving our jobs and leaving our security to come to a place of the unknown. But, I also knew it was what I had to do if I wanted to expand my territory and if we wanted our children to have a better opportunity for growth and education. Upon moving here I worked for a salon to build my clientele and create a client base here since I was starting all over from scratch. Within 10 months I was able to leave that salon, open my own suite and have a waiting list for my services. By 2019 I opened my own salon, created a training program on my methods for textured hair styling and care and hired two stylists to work under me so they could learn as well as grow as stylists themselves. Now, in 2021 I have three locations, 8 stylists, and 3 business employees and we are growing every month. To think, if we never would have taken that risk of moving, if I would have never taken the risk to open my own suite, then my own salon, then hire people, we would not be where we are today.

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 art is most certainly the design and creation of the styling of natural textured hair. I love being able to transform it from one thing to another and see it grow and thrive in my care. I am most excited about being able to pass the torch to other stylists and giving them the tools to set themselves up for a successful career in natural hair care and styling. The biggest difference in our salon is, we specialize solely in natural hair and we have a hard focus on education. Each stylist is educated and put through a series of training, then each client is fully educated as soon as they sit in the chair, up until they walk out of the door. I wanted to create an environment where clients love to be, could get their natural hair cared for and styled, as well as be educated on what to do to reach their hair care goals. Growing up I was not around many people who had hair like me or who could educate me on how to take care of my hair and make me feel good about it. Every salon my mom took me to would either straighten it or they would style it in a way I had no idea how to do at home. I would always leave feeling just as lost as when I came. I could not understand why no one was available to teach me about my hair. That baffled me so it left me to figure it out for myself. In doing so, I became so knowledgeable on the care, growth and science of curly hair that it led to where I am now. I am grateful for my past because it was necessary to endure so Flourish would be birthed now. Little girls with natural hair or curly hair or coily hair do not have to wonder what to do and walk it out blindly. There is a place they can come and get the education and the care their hair deserves.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was coming to visit we would go to my favorite sights and eat at my favorite restaurants. Assuming it is spring time during their visit I would first pack a lunch and take them to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens to sit, talk, eat, drink and enjoy the beauty of the outside. Of course this is a beautiful place to take pictures and still be close to other attractions downtown fort worth. We would leave there and possibly see a play at casa manana, especially if we have the kids. I would also be sure to take them downtown dallas to Klyde Warren Park and ride the scooters and have lunch at Velvet Taco because I live for their tacos! We could even go to a museum or catch some live music for dinner at Heroes Lounge in Dallas. I love Caribbean food and the vibe there is awesome. I would be sure to check out True Kitchen and Kocktails in Dallas for their amazing chicken and waffles and tasty cocktails. Food is always going to be a part of the visit because it is only right! I would take her by my favorite black owned beauty supply store, BPolished and support her business as well as the other black owned beauty brands she carries in both of her locations. Because I LOVE pampering we would most likely finish the week off with some spa action. We would visit Laced By Lonice Med Spa and Boutique to get a massage, some rejuvenating facials, lashes and even a body wrap if we were in the mood! I love supporting other black owned businesses because I know the amount of work it takes to step out on that dream and make it a reality so I am here to support in any way that I can.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The ultimate shout out goes to God. I would not be who I am without His guidance. Everything I have ever done or accomplished is because He placed it inside of me to do and as I showed faith in action steps He led the way and created the pavement even when I could not see the ground for my next step. There has been many people He has used to help pour into me and my business along the way and Im grateful for them and their obedience to that as well. My amazing friends for sitting up with me and brainstorming ideas then believing in me as I walked them out. My clients for trusting me with their hair and continously supporting every avenue I’ve wanted to take with the business and my husband for always believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Website: sessleecurls.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sesslee_curls

Facebook: Sess Lee Curls

Image Credits
Pratt Prism Productions