The first federally recognized Juneteenth holiday weekend just passed and Kontrol Magazine opted to spread the love by giving back and partnering with Studio 905 Hair Boutique!
Studio 95, located in the historic area of Downtown Conyers, GA; is chalked full of a few of the most amazing stylists in the Metro Atlanta area. The salon has been opened for only a year and is owned and ran by Maya Smith. Here, not only are hair and barbering services offered, but so is makeup! “We definitely service men! We offer Haircuts, color and Loc services for our guys! Here at Studio 905 we do “HAIR”. We don’t discriminate against gender or race. We see texture, length and density. However there is a difference in hair care for dry, brittle curly hair or long straight hair. It varies from person to person. Whats most important is having a stylist that is knowledgable in ALL hair types and can provide you with a care routine that best suites your hair.”
On Kontrol’s behalf I was treated to getting his own locks re-twisted, styled, and colored. Studio 905 is truly one of those gems you stumble across in Metro Atlanta and instantly make it one of your favorite places in the area. The salon was beautifully decorated with each stylist working meticulously and efficiently, giving each of their clients the attention and care their heads and hearts deserved. My hair was done by Alicia Wilson, a stylist from Ellenwood, GA who specializes in natural hair care, hair coloring, and makeup. After washing, re-twisting, and dying the ends of my locks a honey blonde color I emerged with a new style I absolutely loved!
Hair & Coloring By: Alicia “Lee Lee” Williams
Maya states the universal secret to healthy, thick hair is simple. “The secret to great hair is A GREAT EDUCATED STYLIST! I believe healthy hair starts with a healthy lifestyle, along with using professional products recommended by your stylist. I always recommend a taking vitamins as well drinking tons of water!”
The 905 Studio staff is small, yet mighty consisting of herself and just three stylists; all educated, and each specializing in different hair and beauty techniques. Crystal Honcharick, is an educator and color specialist, was trained with various color companies and has over 10yrs experience! As aforementioned, Alicia “LeLe” Wilson is the loc specialist. She has been licensed a little over two years and is what they call their “new talent” stylist. Lastly, Lanika McGuire is their resident makeup artist. She specializes in enhancing their clients’ natural beauty with her amazing talents and skills.
Maya went on to discuss how challenging it can be balancing her roles as a beauty instructor, stylist, and entrepreneur. “I am a licensed instructor, as well as my team member Crystal. We both are licensed master cosmetologist and Licensed Instructors. I pride myself in always helping out and teaching up and coming up stylist. In fact, I am excited to be hosting my first class in October! I definitely love teaching the art of color, as this can be a challenge for some stylist. I feel like being a salon owner is the absolute most challenging thing I have done in my life thus far! It is definitely a lot to handle! It is a 24 hour, 7 day a week job! Something always needs to be done. The most important task is taking care of my clients, and providing them with the best experience each visit. It can often be a lot and even overwhelming at times. I’m definitely learning how to balance the life of am entrepreneur.”
Studio 905 surprisingly opened in the middle of the pandemic when so many salons and barbershops met their demise. Through downscaling, saving, and following the strictest safety protocols Maya was able to keep the salon afloat. “This pandemic has definitely hit me hard, but glory to God I have survived and even thrived despite the circumstances! I actually opened for business during the pandemic, so it was a struggle trying to keep the salon clean and COVID free! In the beginning it was hard, i had to work extra long hours, only taking one client at a time, literally working seven days a week, just make sure all the bills were paid. I think the biggest lesson that a lot of hairstylist learned during this pandemic was financial responsibility. Many of us, myself included were used to the “fast cash” way of living and COVID haulted that. Now we are learning how to save, and learning how to have other streams of income just in case we can’t work.”
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery for African-Americans, but should also mark a modern uptake in support of Black businesses. Now, this support is more important than ever as the effects of the pandemic lift. “Our history and our heritage is vital. I feel like Juneteenth is absolutely necessary and we must keep future generations educated on how and why we as a black community are now able to own businesses and go to college and become doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs! So yes this day is important and should be celebrated to the fullest…People can support Black businesses by patronizing them and promoting and sharing Black businesses through their social media accounts. The Black Community definitely shows support to black businesses, but we can always do more! Keep supporting [them], but also support the smaller, newer, lesser known Black businesses as well!”
Studio 905 is clearly here to stay! With multifaceted hair stylists and businesswomen like Maya Smith at the helm of new Black businesses we are more than hopeful of the future. She is a woman in “Kontrol” of her life and your hair! Indeed the real “411” to the secret of the success of Studio 905 are the stylists there who make you look and feel incredible! You can book your own hair services at www.studio905hair.com.
IG: @studio_905_
Facebook: studio905HairBoutique
